Assistant Director of Annual Giving

Essential Functions

• Identifies, recruits, onboards, retains, motivates, and manages the work of the volunteer Class Agent team in each assigned class.
• Inspires continued engagement through cultivation and stewardship visits (in‑person or virtual) to agents and other class leaders as needed; assigned classes range from Young Alumni to Five Star Generals.
• Collaborates with volunteers from assigned classes to set and achieve class‑based dollar, donor, and participation goals.
• Interprets data related to class giving patterns, campaign and appeals effectiveness, and class interests to support strategic planning.
• Cultivates a strong sense of community among Class Agents, fostering camaraderie within and across class years through relationship‑building, shared learning opportunities, and recognition efforts.
• Maintains the CA Volunteer Management Portal (electronic) and related resources.
• Plans and delivers CA webinars and virtual training.
• Partners with the Senior Associate Director of Development Communications and the CA team to organize, execute, and evolve class‑based solicitation and stewardship content and schedules, aiming for continuous learning and improvement.
• Utilizes a variety of communications for solicitation and stewardship (including print, email, text, video, phone, social media, and in‑person messages).
• Develops program materials such as monthly newsletters, micro‑appeal toolkits, and annual reports to equip volunteers with timely campus updates, clear guidance, motivating messaging, and clear demonstration of impact.
• Participates in development meetings, trainings, conferences, and other education events to stay abreast of important issues and successful annual fund trends.
• Networks with colleagues from peer institutions to learn from and stay competitive with their programs and to acquire pertinent best‑practice strategies.
• Serves as a W&L Fund and University liaison to all constituencies, representing W&L Advancement interests to other campus departments and the Washington & Lee community.
• Adapts to changing strategies and practices in Annual Giving, identifying needs of constituent groups and proposing solutions with the larger team.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Prior fundraising or related experience is desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to navigate complex conversations ranging from small talk to explaining philanthropy’s role in university finances and personal motivations for giving.
• Demonstrated initiative, careful attention to detail, ability to meet specific deadlines, and capacity to prioritize and maintain multiple tasks.
• Willingness to fundraise and a desire to learn the unique characteristics and culture of Washington and Lee, appreciating the passion and expectations of its alumni.
• Familiarity with technology is required; experience with a fundraising CRM is desirable. Data analysis skills are advantageous.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines while cultivating relationships with volunteers, students, and donors.
• Evening and weekend work required during volunteer and alumni weekends and other specific times of the year.

Position Type: Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible.

Compensation

The expected annual salary for this posting is between $62,000 – $71,000. Offers are based on factors such as qualifications, relevant experience, skills, internal equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Benefits

Washington and Lee University offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well‑being of employees and their families. For more information about benefits and life in the Shenandoah Valley, visit jobs.wlu.edu.