Associate Director, Annual Giving

Job Title Associate Director, Annual Giving Full Time / Part Time Full Time Job Type Staff Reports To Senior Director, Annual Giving and Donor Relations Position Summary

The Associate Director of Annual Giving reports to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations and partners with senior leadership to set and execute the University's annual fundraising strategy. This role leads the development and implementation of integrated annual giving initiatives-including leadership annual giving, direct response, crowdfunding, and digital outreach-to drive growth in donors and dollars.

The Associate Director plays a key role in building and managing the Leadership Annual Giving program, with a focus on qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors with capacity between $1,000 and $50,000. They maintain a portfolio of leadership prospects, support the development of a strong donor pipeline, and facilitate the transition of qualified donors to major gift portfolios.

This position also advances engagement through personalized outreach, strategic stewardship, reunion giving, and fundraising events, ensuring a coordinated and donor-centered approach to annual giving growth. The role supervises two employees - an assistant director of annual giving and annual giving associate.

Bryant is recognized as a top 1 percent national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, QS Stars, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant's strategic plan, Vision 2030, redefines higher education through a commitment to providing students with a transformational learning experience. Vision 2030 accelerates advancements in academic innovation, experiential learning, vibrant student life, Division I athletics, and a connected community that fosters belonging and success.

Principal Accountabilities

40% Annual Giving Strategy & Program Management

Partner with the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations and senior leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive annual giving strategy for the Bryant Fund, with a focus on increasing participation and revenue annually.

• Manage integrated annual giving solicitation programs, including direct mail, digital solicitations to drive leadership annual giving, with KPIs tied to revenue and donor growth, increased retention, upgrades, and membership to annual giving societies.
• Collaborate with Leadership, Major, and Principal Gift Officers to support pipeline development, donor qualification, and transitions to major gift portfolios.
• Maintain accurate donor records, including moves management, contact reports, and data updates for reporting and analysis
• Partner with advancement operations and prospect development on implementing AI, data analytics and data mining to review portfolios, move donors through the philanthropic cycle and develop targeted and measureable solicitation strategies.
• Support and implement a comprehensive stewardship program to enhance donor recognition, engagement, retention, and long-term pipeline growth.
• Represent the University at key events and donor engagements as needed.

20% Annual Fundraising Events Management

Lead the planning and execution of annual giving fundraising events that drive engagement and fundraising results.

• Manage signature fundraising initiatives such as Bryant Giving Day and the Destination Newport and President's Cup Golf Tournament, and sepcial fundraising initiatives on campus or part of regional programs. Includes setting targets, developing and executing fundraising strategy and communication plans, ensuring achievement of participation and revenue goals, generating ROI analysis annually.
• Oversee volunteer recruitment, meetings with volunteers and committees, timelines, communications, and event logistics to ensure seamless execution and support of volunteer experience - including lead gifts from volunteers.
• Partner with Alumni and Parent Engagement, Donor Experiences and Development, as well as campus partners such as Strategic Partnerships on University fundraising initiatives.
• Collaborate with vendors, designers, and internal partners to produce high-quality solicitation and stewardship materials aligned with institutional priorities.

30% Marketing Strategy & Execution

Develop and execute data-driven marketing strategies to support all annual giving programs.

• Partner with Advancement Communications and Stewardship to schedule and deliver integrated campaigns across direct mail, digital, crowdfunding, and events.
• Utilize segmentation and analytics to create targeted, personalized outreach to alumni, parents, and key donor groups.
• Develop and edit appeal, stewardship, and marketing content.
• Monitor performance, analyze results, and recommend strategic adjustments to optimize engagement, participation, and revenue.

10% Team Leadership & Management

Provide leadership and oversight for annual giving operations and staff.

• Supervise and mentor team members, ensuring alignment, accountability, and effective execution across programs.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment with a focus on professional development and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate performance and provide regular feedback to support individual and team success.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in regular cross-functional meetings, providing updates on performance, trends, and opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Bryant Fund and broader Advancement goals.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and collaborative professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates exceptional relationship-building and communication skills and is committed to advancing the mission of Bryant. They should have a bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience in annual giving and/or fundraising, preferably within a higher education setting, with a demonstrated record of success. Strong writing and editing skills, along with experience in project management, are essential, as is a solid understanding of digital marketing, giving strategies, and donor stewardship.

The Associate Director should demonstrate strong organizational, leadership, and multi-initiative coordination, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. Experience with frontline fundraising, supervising staff and student workers and proficiency with fundraising databases, online giving platforms, crowdfunding tools, web or design software and experience integrating the use of AI tools are preferred.

This position may require occasional evening and weekend hours.

Working Environment

At Bryant University, we believe that our strength lies in the richness of our campus community and the unique perspectives that shape it. By connecting academic and social experiences, we create an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. Our commitment to fostering belonging and well-being ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully. We encourage applications from those who appreciate the wide range of experiences and backgrounds that make our community exceptional. Discover more about how we cultivate a welcoming and collaborative campus culture that drives excellence.

Physical Capacities

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number STA02770 Work Hours Open Date 04/06/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Applicant Special Instructions

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• Other Document
• Letter(s) of Recommendation