Director of Annual Giving

Job Duties

All Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to apply.

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

The Director of Annual Giving leads Summit Academy OIC’s donor-centered annual giving program, driving donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, and revenue growth through campaigns, corporate sponsorships, and the Golf Classic & Summer Party. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and serving on the Development leadership team, the Director oversees individual donors and corporate sponsors with a primary focus on gifts under $5,000. This position is accountable for revenue results, accurate forecasting, effective staff leadership, and independent execution of fundraising strategies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Strategic Planning and Revenue Management

Develops and executes annual giving strategies, work plans, budgets, and revenue forecasts to achieve assigned individual giving, corporate sponsorship, and signature event revenue goals; establishes measurable targets, monitors progress, and adjusts strategies to improve performance.

Oversees the Annual Giving Pool and manages an assigned portfolio of individual donors and corporate sponsors, leading prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and upgrades; coordinates with the Major Gifts Officer to advance qualified prospects into major gift cultivation.

Expands corporate sponsorships and collaborates with Workforce Solutions, Volunteer Engagement, and Development colleagues to identify and advance corporate philanthropic opportunities aligned with prospect interests and organizational priorities.

Leads the Golf Classic & Summer Party, including fundraising strategy, sponsorship development, volunteer committee management, revenue forecasting, donor experience, and performance evaluation; provides strategic oversight of event operations and production.

Collaborates with Marketing & Communications colleagues to develop multichannel appeals, campaign messaging, marketing, and donor engagement strategies.

Supervises assigned staff, establishing priorities, delegating responsibilities, coaching performance, and ensuring accountability for results; proactively communicates progress, challenges, and recommendations to the Chief Development Officer.

Solicitation and Engagement

Independently solicits gifts and sponsorships and implements segmented strategies to acquire, retain, renew, and upgrade individual donors and corporate sponsors, coordinating larger giving opportunities with the Chief Development Officer and Major Gifts Officer as appropriate.

Engages fundraising committees and other volunteer leaders as connectors and advocates to broaden philanthropic support.

Develops targeted appeals and engagement initiatives with measurable objectives, collaborating with Development colleagues to coordinate donor and corporate relationships and maximize philanthropic opportunities.

Reporting and Performance Analysis

Maintains accurate, evidence-based revenue forecasts, including identified prospects, anticipated gift timing, and campaign projections; monitors progress against established goals.

Oversees the accuracy, reconciliation, and analysis of annual giving and Golf Classic & Summer Party performance reporting in collaboration with the Development Data Specialist.

Analyzes revenue variances and key performance indicators, including donor acquisition, retention, upgrades, recurring giving, and sponsorship results; identifies risks, recommends corrective actions, and communicates findings to the Chief Development Officer.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Proven success leading annual giving, corporate sponsorship, and large-scale fundraising event programs, including accountability for revenue goals.

Strong forecasting, budgeting, analytical, and project management skills; proficiency with Excel, CRM reporting, and fundraising dashboards (Salesforce preferred).

Ability to independently prioritize and execute complex initiatives, identify risks, and deliver measurable results.

Demonstrated staff supervision, delegation, coaching, and performance management skills.

Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and executive communication skills; experience leading volunteer committees and meetings.

Knowledge of donor privacy practices and ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Commitment to Summit Academy OIC’s mission; experience fundraising for workforce development or education preferred.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Direct reports include:

Donor Engagement Specialist

Volunteer Engagement Specialist

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position operates in a professional school and office setting and requires the Director to maintain a professional appearance and attitude. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The work environment is fast-paced and requires strong time management and prioritization of job duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time; exhibit manual dexterity to dial a telephone, to enter data into a computer; to see and read a computer screen and printed material with or without vision aids; hear and understand speech at conversational levels and on the telephone; speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in person and on the telephone; physical agility to lift up to 10 pounds to waist height; and to bend, stoop, walk and reach overhead.

POSITION TYPE & EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time, exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible for overtime pay. Occasional evening, weekend, and early morning hours may be required to meet the expectations of the position. The Director is expected to spend the majority of their time working out of their Summit Academy OIC workspace; however, following 90 business days of employment, a hybrid work schedule may be discussed with the Chief Development Officer. Schedule details and schedule flexibility will be discussed in the interview process.

TRAVEL

This position may require travel within the Twin Cities metro area.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO

It is the policy of Summit Academy OIC to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Summit Academy OIC will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Minimum Education Required

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Minimum Experience Required

Minimum of six (6) years of nonprofit fundraising experience, including successful leadership of annual giving programs and ownership of revenue goals.

Demonstrated experience supervising staff and strong knowledge of individual giving strategies.

Shift

First (Day)

Number of Openings

1

Public Transportation Accessible

Yes

Veterans Encouraged to Apply

Yes

Physical Required

No

Drug Test Required

No

Compensation

$80,000.00 - $100,000.00 / Annually

Additional Compensation

Eligibility for an annual bonus based on organizational and employee performance

Postal Code

55405

Job Type

Full Time

Place of Work

Hybrid

Requisition ID

112327

Job Benefits

Paid time off (PTO) policy, which begins accruing at 120 hours (3 weeks) per year;

11 annual paid holidays in addition to 2 annual scheduled, paid mental health days;

Eligibility to elect comprehensive health, vision, dental, and voluntary life insurance;

Employer-sponsored life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance;

Eligibility to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match, effective day one;

Eligibility for an annual bonus based on organizational and employee performance