Job Description

ABOUT CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) is a fully accredited ecumenical graduate school located in Indianapolis, IN related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and serving the whole people of God. We welcome all faiths to explore/ engage in an intellectually rigorous, spiritually formative, and emotionally supportive education that equips our students to go out into all the world and serve—whether that is in the church or out in the community. CTS also offers a robust counseling program that provides professional counseling preparation and spiritual/theological integration for those training to become mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, pastoral psychotherapists, and spiritual care specialists.

POSITION SUMMARY

The director of annual giving is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive annual giving program for all current and prospective donor constituencies including CTS alumni, faculty, staff, and friends in support
of Christian Theological Seminary’s mission. The director will support activities focused on enhancing loyalty and pride through philanthropic support among CTS alumni and from the community. The director of annual giving reports to the vice president for advancement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develop and execute a detailed multiyear strategic plan and fiscal year operating plan for the annual giving program targeting unrestricted and restricted contributions and including the Disciples Mission Fund (DMF).
• Implement data-driven strategies to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) for annual giving goals and objectives including overall dollars raised and total donors secured; renewal, lapsed, and new donor acquisition percentages and related dollar results; leadership annual gifts through the 1924 Annual Giving Society; and overall alumni giving participation percentages.
• Develop and implement a coordinated matrix of communications and solicitations building awareness of and affinity with the case for annual philanthropic support and generating a sustainable and predictable base of financial support. Solicitations will include direct mail, e-appeals, social media, CTS’s Annual Day of Giving, and to the extent possible, personal contacts.
• Partner with advancement/communications colleagues to create and strategically sequence compelling qualitative and quantitative annual giving content for social media, institutional and advancement websites, publications, and the full range of segmented appeals and donor acknowledgments.
• Facilitate the dissemination of annual giving appeals to key CTS volunteer leaders including members of the Board of Trustees and the Alumni Association Board of Directors in coordination with the vice president for advancement.
• Maintain fluency and currency with annual giving goals and results.
• Track and evaluate annual giving results by constituent type, donor type, gift level, gift designation, and appeal.
• Communicate results on a monthly, quarterly, calendar year-end, and fiscal year-end schedule through a consistent and thorough suite of reports and including progress to goals and KPIs.
• Recommend and institute strategy realignments as necessary and as appropriate to meet or exceed annual giving targets.
• Prepare and maintain the annual giving program cost center/budget and track the return on investment against established goals and KPIs.
• Serve as the primary liaison for third-party vendors supporting annual giving solicitations and recognition efforts.
• Partner with the data resource coordinator in efforts aligned with (1) the presence and accuracy of constituent data supporting segmentation and outreach strategies, (2) the personalization of donor acknowledgments to the degree feasible, and (3) the production of reports supporting program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Partner with the director of alumni relations in the implementation of an integrated plan and shared objectives surrounding alumni engagement and philanthropy.
• Collaborate with seminary colleagues, volunteer leaders, and alumni in the identification of annual giving prospects and as partners in donor stewardship outreach.
• Represent the advancement office and provide support for seminary and advancement sponsored events and activities as needed and as appropriate.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned or directed by the vice president for advancement.

 REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

The successful candidate should possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to successfully fulfill the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Demonstrated experience with annual giving and/or related fundraising campaigns.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Appropriate attunement to details, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Commitment to data-driven decision making and program evaluation; strong analytical orientation and capabilities.
• Proficiency with written and verbal communications.
• Understanding of the opportunities and responsibilities represented through the strategic overlap between institutional funding priorities and donor motivations and interests.
• Adherence to established principles, standards, and practices in philanthropy, fundraising, and data/constituent confidentiality in addition to IRS regulations governing charitable contributions.
• Familiarity with database platforms for constituent relations management (CRM) and/or fundraising. Experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred.
• Proficiency with Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Experience with Adobe.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including empathy, collegiality, constructive candor, and tact. Must be able to work with diverse groups and constituencies including alumni, students, faculty, administrators, and volunteer leaders.
• Must be an initiative-taking and innovative professional with the ability to identify and solve problems with creativity and diplomacy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a collaborative environment.

 POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Experience in a seminary, theological institution, faith-based or social services organization preferred but not required.
• Minimum of three years annual giving and direct response/solicitation experience.
• Demonstrated capacity to foster open and productive relationships with various internal and external constituents.
• Resonance with the mission, vision, and core values of Christian Theological Seminary.
• Must possess a valid Indiana Driver’s License, have a driving record that meets the requirements of an eligible CTS driver, and be able to travel to meet with a wide variety of seminary constituents.
• Evening and weekend hours required; overnight travel may be necessary.

CTS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate with respect to recruitment, hiring, or any other status of employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other category protected by law.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time.

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