Director of Engagement and Annual Giving

Job Summary:

The Director of Engagement & Annual Giving is a key leader in Lincoln University’s Advancement division, responsible for executing the new Alumni Engagement Program. This role will oversee strategies that inspire alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends to participate in the life of the University through volunteerism, annual philanthropy, and lifelong connection. The Director will guide key volunteers by establishing and supporting volunteer leadership across five strategic areas of engagement:

1. Legacy Events & Traditions – celebrating and sustaining the culture, history, and shared identity of Lincoln University.
2. Student Success – mobilizing alumni and volunteers to help attract, mentor, and support students through to career connection.
3. Affinity – creating opportunities for connection through common bonds such as Greek, geographical or varied interests.
4. Philanthropy – building a culture of giving through volunteer ambassadors, donor pipeline development, and stewardship. Day of Giving and annual campaigns.
5. Storytelling – telling of the impact or need and celebrating together through history and relevant news. 
6. In addition, the Director will coordinate Annual Giving campaigns with our Marketing team as a distinct but intricately connected function that fuels the Philanthropy Lane of engagement.

Essential Job Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:

Alumni Engagement:

• Launch and manage the Alumni Engagement program, positioning it as the inclusive and modern structure for lifelong alumni involvement.
• Recruit, train, and support volunteers to serve as Leaders and members within the 5 engagement areas. Beginning with one lane at a time.
• Develop toolkits, resources, and communications to empower volunteers to lead effective engagement activities with minimal administrative burden.
• Collaborate with University partners to align initiatives with institutional goals, including admissions, student success, and fundraising priorities.
• Plan, market, and evaluate signature traditions and legacy events that strengthen alumni identity and connection.
• Create systems to track, measure, and recognize volunteer engagement using industry best practices (CASE engagement framework).

Annual Giving:

• Inform and participate in a comprehensive annual giving strategy that grows participation and revenue across alumni, faculty/staff, parents, students, and friends of the University.
• Inform multi-channel campaigns (direct mail, digital, social, phone, peer-to-peer) aligned with the University’s Annual Fund priorities.
• Partner with the Philanthropy leader of volunteers to engage volunteer ambassadors who amplify annual giving campaigns.
• Manage donor recognition programs (President’s Circle, Legacy Society, Young Alumni Club, etc.) and ensure strong stewardship practices.
• Use data and analytics to monitor performance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Ability to launch new programs, guiding volunteers and staff toward shared goals.
• Exceptional Communication Abilities: Demonstrated capacity to articulate operational requirements clearly and collaborate proactively with colleagues responsible for developing systems that support these programs.  A team-oriented person is essential. 
• Relationship-Building: Skilled in cultivating alumni, volunteer, and donor relationships.
• Innovation: Creative approach to volunteer engagement and giving campaigns.
• Data-Informed: Uses analytics to evaluate participation, giving, and engagement outcomes.
• Mission-Driven: Committed to advancing the mission of Lincoln University as an HBCU and 1890 Land-Grant institution.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in related field.
• Demonstrated success in building volunteer networks, alumni engagement programs, or annual fund growth.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in alumni relations or annual giving. Preference for candidates with both experiences.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 
• Light sedentary office work.
• Ability to lift up to 25lbs

Lincoln University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and institutional needs. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at 573-681-5018.