Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving

Dubuque, IA, USA | Institutional Advancement | Full Time

At Clarke University, we look for individuals who lead from the heart and embrace our values of education, charity, justice, and freedom. By creating a community focused on care, we empower everyone at Clarke to do and be their best. We offer meaningful work, a safe and friendly work environment, and an outstanding benefits package. If you're looking for a place you can make a positive impact, we hope you'll consider Clarke!

The university is currently seeking a strategic, collaborative, and relationship-oriented professional to serve as its Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement, this position provides leadership for the university's alumni engagement and annual fundraising programs, strengthening relationships with alumni, donors, and other constituents while advancing institutional philanthropic priorities.

The Director develops and implements comprehensive engagement and fundraising strategies, leads major annual giving initiatives, and oversees alumni programs that foster lifelong connections with Clarke. The successful candidate will be an effective leader, skilled fundraiser, and enthusiastic relationship builder who values collaboration, creativity, and the opportunity to strengthen a culture of philanthropy within the University community.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership and Program Management: Develop and implement comprehensive alumni engagement and annual giving strategies, establish measurable goals, manage program budgets, and supervise the Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.

• Annual Giving and Fundraising Leadership: Lead annual fundraising campaigns, including Clarke Day, Giving Tuesday, and other institutional appeals. Develop targeted solicitation, donor acquisition, retention, and leadership giving strategies that strengthen philanthropic participation and revenue.

• Donor Cultivation and Relationship Development: Manage a portfolio of annual giving prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors through personalized outreach. Develop strategies to strengthen relationships with alumni, parents, employees, businesses, and other University constituents.

• Alumni Engagement and Volunteer Leadership: Direct alumni engagement programs, including Homecoming, reunions, regional gatherings, recognition programs, and volunteer initiatives. Serve as the primary liaison to the Alumni Association Board of Directors, supporting board leadership, engagement, and philanthropic priorities.

• Fundraising Events and Institutional Collaboration: Provide strategic leadership for the Clarke University Golf Classic and other major fundraising events. Collaborate with University leadership, Institutional Advancement colleagues, and campus partners to coordinate engagement, fundraising, and communication initiatives.

• Engagement and Fundraising Performance: Evaluate alumni engagement, donor participation, fundraising performance, and constituent feedback to strengthen strategies, improve program effectiveness, and maximize available resources.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, marketing, communication, business, or a related field.

• Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience in fundraising, alumni relations, nonprofit development, marketing, or a related field.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse constituents, collaborate with university leadership, and build effective partnerships.

• Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to establish priorities, coordinate complex initiatives, manage competing responsibilities, and achieve measurable results.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to effectively manage constituent information, communications, and program activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing, managing, and evaluating fundraising campaigns, annual giving programs, or alumni engagement initiatives.

• Demonstrated experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors to strengthen philanthropic support and constituent relationships.

• Experience supervising professional staff, engaging volunteers, or working with nonprofit or alumni association boards.

• Familiarity with constituent relationship management (CRM) systems and fundraising platforms, such as Virtuous or GiveCampus, and using data to inform engagement and fundraising strategies.

To apply for this position, please upload a resume online at http://clarke.applicantpool.com . Resume review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Clarke University is committed to fostering a welcoming campus community that celebrates each person's unique contributions and promotes an inclusive learning environment. Accordingly, Clarke University does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.