Assistant Director of Annual Giving

The Office of Annual Giving at Washington and Lee University is seeking a team member who can build lasting relationships with students and young alumni, inspiring them to engage philanthropically with their alma mater. The primary responsibility of this position is to maximize W&L Fund gifts to the university through management of student philanthropy efforts and Young Alumni volunteers. The assistant director is part of a thirteen-member team responsible for raising in excess of $10 million annually in direct support of Washington and Lee University’s operating budget.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and welcoming environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Learn more about what makes Washington and Lee University a great place to work and live at jobs.wlu.edu.

Essential Functions:

• Identify, recruit, onboard, retain, motivate, and manage the work of the volunteer class agent team in each assigned Young Alumni class. Inspire continued engagement through cultivation and stewardship visits (in-person or virtual) to agents and other class leaders as needed.

• Collaborate with volunteers from assigned classes to strategically set and achieve class-based dollar, donor, and participation goals. Conduct data analysis for class giving patterns, campaign and appeals effectiveness, and areas of interests for support by each class. Represent the needs and interests of this group to the larger Annual Giving team.

• Collaborate with donor relations, development colleagues, and other campus partners to expand and execute strategic philanthropy education for young alumni and scholarship recipients. This includes planning events, developing communications, and designing strategies that encourage future philanthropy, including occasional travel to select programs.

• Manage the Senior Class Gift program, which includes recruiting and organizing all committee efforts, annual events and senior education on philanthropy. Serve as the W&L Fund point-person for undergraduate engagement by assisting with the recruitment of senior class leaders and by training, onboarding, and stewarding senior class volunteers through the conclusion of senior gift and beyond. Collaborate with reunion team on challenges with 25th reunion class.

• Lead the Student Advancement Officers, a student group designed to educate first, second and third-years on the importance of philanthropy in higher education. Responsibilities include managing Phonathon calling campaigns, designing meetings, organizing events, and planning the annual Philanthropy Education Week in the spring.

• Participate in development meetings, trainings, conferences, and other training & education events to stay abreast of important issues and successful annual fund trends. Networks with colleagues from peer institutions to learn from and stay competitive with their programs and to acquire pertinent best practices strategies.

• Serve as a W&L Fund and University liaison to all constituencies. Represent W&L Advancement interests to other campus departments and to the Washington & Lee community

• Adapt to changing strategies and practices in Annual Giving to contribute as a dynamic team member; identify needs of constituent groups and Annual Giving efforts as a whole and work with larger team to brainstorm and propose solutions

• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Prior fundraising or related experience is desirable.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to navigate complex, sophisticated conversations that range from small talk to explaining philanthropy’s role in university finances, and personal motivations for giving.

• Demonstrated initiative, careful attention to detail, the ability to work within specific deadlines, prioritize, maintain multiple tasks and manage student workers.

• Willingness to fundraise and a desire to learn the unique characteristics and culture of Washington and Lee and appreciate the passion and expectations of its alumni.

• Familiarity with computers is required and experience with a fundraising CRM is desirable. Data analysis skills are advantageous.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure to meet deadlines while cultivating relationships with volunteers, students, and donors.

• Evening and weekend work is required during volunteer and alumni weekends and during other specific times during the year.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin January 21, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.  Required materials include:

• Cover letter

• Resume

• Names and contact information for three professional references

Application instructions for internal and external candidates can be found at https://www.wlu.edu/employment-opportunities/jobs-at-w-l.

Position Type:

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible$60,804.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience