Director, Student Experience & Family Engagement

The Director, Student Experience and Family Engagement will lead and strengthen the University’s parents’ engagement program, communications plan, and Parents Giving Program, which includes managing a portfolio of annual fund-level leadership donors and major gift prospects. This portfolio will be comprised of mostly parents and former parents; it will also include alumni and friends from across the United States. The Director will identify, cultivate, solicit and steward prospects and donors across all giving levels. In addition, the Director will refine and grow a comprehensive Parents Giving Program integrated with the School-based advancement model and University campaign priorities, and will strengthen volunteer structures such as the Parents Council to support deeper engagement and to foster increasing giving. The Director will partner with school-based gift officers on the coordinated management of parent and former parent prospects.

The Director’s performance will be measured against a set of mutually agreed-to gift officer performance metrics, including prospects identified, donor visits, solicitations completed and dollars raised. In addition, performance metrics to support strong constituent engagement and integration with school-based advancement colleagues will be developed. The Director will supervise two advancement professionals: 1) an Assistant Director of Leadership Annual Giving, and 2) an Advancement Coordinator.

The Director will serve as a member of the student affairs and advancement divisions and will have a dual reporting relationship with both divisions.

The projected salary range for this position, which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is:$85,000-$110,000

Lead the parents’ engagement program and Parents Giving Program, setting short- and long-term goals and an integrated communications plan that deepens parent engagement and stimulates sustained giving. In consultation with the Senior Associate Vice President, develop and execute an annual work plan with goals for fundraising revenue, prospects under management, solicitations, and prospect visits, aligned with the School-based model employed by University Advancement and with campaign priorities.

Build, grow, and manage a portfolio of major gift and annual fund parent prospects based on giving behavior and capacity, exceeding an annual goal of at least 90 face-to-face unique donor visits and the identification, solicitation, and closing of 15-20 major gifts. Develop prospect strategies; prepare proposals and solicitation materials commensurate with parents’ areas of interest; and steward donors in ways that are personal and meaningful to them, facilitating relationships with University leaders (President, VPs) as appropriate.

Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate Student Experience and Family Engagement staff, including the Assistant Director, Leadership Annual Giving, and the Advancement Coordinator. Set team goals, monitor progress against metrics, and support staff professional development.

Advance the existing Parents Council as a structure to support and lead the Parents Giving Program, positioning the group to provide annual six-figure or higher discretionary revenue through members’ leadership gifts. Plan at minimum two meetings/dinners annually, offer ongoing personalized engagement opportunities, and keep members regularly updated on Catholic University news and events. Identify parents to serve as event hosts, advocates for student recruitment, connections for student jobs and internships, and volunteer leaders such as members of school boards of visitors and the board of trustees.

Work collaboratively and strategically with school-based gift officers, other fundraising professionals, and campus leaders to identify and engage HNW parents, coordinating the assignment and management of parent and former parent prospects across the Division. Work with the Senior Associate Vice President, Advancement, and the AVP for Student Affairs to build the case for support and collateral materials for student affairs campaign priorities, including an inventory of giving opportunities in non-school entities such as Student Life, career services, and campus ministry.

In coordination with University Advancement Communications, oversee parent giving solicitations, printed materials, and updates shared via social media and websites, and ensure parent inquiries receive timely, helpful, and appropriate responses. Oversee, with the team, Summer Send-Offs/Welcome Events and on-campus events for the Parent constituency, including the President’s Receptions during Orientation and Family Weekend and special events and seating during Commencement weekend.

The Director must be a highly energetic and detail-oriented professional with a solid and verifiable track record of building relationships and experience in closing major and leadership gifts. The successful candidate will possess the ability to work in an environment that emphasizes metrics and success as well as working independently, as part of a team, and as a leader of a small team. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated ability to take initiative and be a self-starter; manage projects; determine priorities and maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality. An entrepreneurial spirit is required in an exciting and fast-paced growing philanthropic program at CUA.  Excellent interpersonal and oral skills and demonstrated effective writing skills will be required as will strong organizational and analytical skills and the ability to manage multiple projects. 

Complete proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook; familiarity with Raiser’s Edge (alumni and donor database software) preferred but not necessary. Excellent proofreading and editing skills; strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills are essential; ability to prioritize work and general office procedures.

Bachelor’s degree required and minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible and demonstrated success in alumni and/or parent engagement, annual fund management, and/or major gift fundraising. Must have demonstrated history of cultivating, soliciting and stewarding leadership level annual fund and major gift donors. Must have demonstrated experience in managing volunteer structures in support of advancement. Supervisory experience strongly preferred. Some Higher Education Experience is preferred. Strong writing and analytical skills required. Sales and other customer-facing experience bring transferrable skills and are desirable.

Strong interpersonal communication skills writing and organizational skills; attention to detail, accuracy and the ability to maintain confidentiality.