Associate Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Engagement
Description
About the Job
The Associate Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Engagement reports to the Vice President of University Advancement and is responsible for planning, implementing, and continuously assessing a comprehensive annual giving program that strategically engages alumni, parents, athletic sponsors and contributors, friends of the University, and other key university community segments. This role is charged with generating $1.5 million or more in annual gifts as a vital component of Advancement’s annual comprehensive raise.
The Associate Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Engagement works collegially with the Advancement team leadership to lead a multi-channel annual giving campaign, manage key engagement initiatives with a focus on alumni and parent relations, and develop a personal portfolio of approximately 100 donors giving in the $1,000 to $25,000 range. The position utilizes data-informed analysis and donor-facing fundraising to move donors toward deeper engagement and higher levels of generosity.
About CCU
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.
Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.
CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.
A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.
What is most appealing about working at CCU?
- Faith-friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
- Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
- Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.
Key Job Responsibilities
Mission Contribution
The Associate Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Engagement contributes to CCU’s mission of Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth by securing annual financial resources through broad-based and mid-level philanthropy, and by cultivating relationships that foster lifelong generosity and engagement with the University.
The Associate Director of Annual Giving and Strategic Engagement contributes to CCU’s mission of Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth by securing annual financial resources through broad-based and mid-level philanthropy, and by cultivating relationships that foster lifelong generosity and engagement with the University.
Annual Giving Strategy and Implementation
- Develop and manage a written annual plan and calendar for all annual giving solicitations (print, digital, phone, and in-person) designed to generate $1.5 million or more in annual gifts and address institutional priorities.
- Plan and execute segmented appeals for alumni, parents, athletic program support and scholarships, employees, friends of the University, and strategic donor segments, using tailored messaging, channels, and timing.
- Create or coordinate copy and design for annual campaigns and appeals (letters, emails, landing pages, video scripts) that clearly communicate funding priorities and inspire Christ-centered generosity.
- Collaborate annual giving efforts with the Major Gifts team to ensure annual donors are appropriately identified, qualified, and moved through the pipeline toward major and planned gift opportunities.
- Manage vendor relationships related to annual giving platforms, direct mail, digital giving days, and other campaign needs, ensuring projects are on-time, on-budget, and on-message.
- Lead the planning and execution of signature annual giving initiatives, such as CCU Gives Day and similar digital campaigns (such as Athletics and similar affinity groups), including project management of vendors, internal partners, and volunteer champions.
- Work with faculty, coaches, and staff to identify compelling projects for crowdfunding or micro-campaigns, gathering stories, photos, and impact data to support donor engagement.
- Integrate strategic engagement tactics (social media campaigns, challenge gifts, peer ambassadors, alumni and parent volunteers) into annual giving initiatives to broaden reach and participation.
- Build and manage a personal portfolio of approximately 100 annual and mid-level donors in the $1,000 to $25,000 range, with clear goals for retention, upgrades, and total dollars raised.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned donors through personalized outreach, visits, calls, and digital engagement, employing donor-centric strategies and moves management principles.
- Ensure that each donor in the portfolio is actively giving and is invited into pathways for increased giving and deeper engagement with university priorities, events, and volunteer opportunities.
- Collaborate with Major Gifts, Planned Giving resources, and the AVP of Advancement to transition appropriate donors from the annual giving portfolio to major gift portfolios as capacity and interest grow.
- Engage Alumni and Parents with programming (events, communications, volunteer councils, career networking platforms) tied to annual giving goals and strategies.
- Coordinate with Athletics staff to design and support sponsorship and annual giving efforts for athletic programs and teams, integrating them into the overall annual giving strategy.
- Support strategic donor events such as donor receptions, scholarship events, and other Advancement gatherings, ensuring that engagement activities connect clearly to annual giving objectives.
- Coordinate strategic communications and content for alumni, parent, and annual giving audiences (e.g., e-newsletters, social media campaigns) that promote giving opportunities and highlight impact stories.
- Partner with Advancement Services to segment audiences, pull lists, and analyze annual giving results by channel, segment, and campaign.
- Track and report key performance indicators for the annual giving program (e.g., participation rates, average gift size, renewal and upgrade rates, revenue by segment) and recommend adjustments based on data.
- Maintain accurate and timely records in the Advancement CRM (e.g., Raiser’s Edge or equivalent), including contact reports, appeal codes, proposal records, and donor preferences.
- Use analytics and A/B testing to refine messaging, timing, and segmentation strategies to improve response rates and ROI across channels.
- Serve as an active member of the University Advancement team, participating in regular staff meetings, planning sessions, and strategic discussions related to Advancement’s comprehensive fundraising goals.
- Collaborate with Creative Services, Marketing/Communication, Admissions, Student Life, and other campus partners to align messaging and leverage institutional events for donor engagement.
- Work with the Vice President of Advancement on special projects, new initiatives, and other duties as assigned.
- A personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a lifestyle that reflects biblical values; able to articulate a clear testimony of faith and a call to serve in Christian higher education.
- A willingness to uphold the University’s Statement of Faith, community standards, and strategic priorities.
- A Bachelor’s degree (preferred) from an accredited institution in a related field such as marketing, communications, nonprofit leadership, business, or a related discipline.
- Three to five years of experience in fundraising, marketing, higher education, or related advancement work, with direct involvement in annual giving or donor relations strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multi-channel campaigns and multiple projects simultaneously in a high-energy environment, meeting deadlines and revenue goals.
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write appeals, emails, and event content, and communicate effectively in person and in public settings.
- Proven proficiency with CRM platforms, Microsoft 365 tools, email and social media platforms, and basic data analysis for segmenting and reporting.
- Demonstrated commitment to donor-centric service, teamwork, discretion, and professionalism.
Nature of Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends. Supporting CCU Executive Leadership, and particularly the Office of University Advancement, requires a very high level of professionalism, confidentiality, decorum, and protocol.
What we offer our employees
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process. Colorado Christian University’s pay philosophy is based on internal and external data for pay equity; along with budgetary considerations for effective stewardship.
Pay will be assigned based on relevant experience at a range of $75,000 - $80,000. We reserve the right to pay an equitable rate that we believe is within our salary structure or that may fit a candidate’s qualifications or experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage range for a job offer. CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations to attract the best possible talent. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.
Spiritual Requirements
- Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
- Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
- Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
- Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.