Senior Manager, Annual and Leadership Giving

About Clark College Foundation: At Clark College Foundation, we are driven by a shared passion to empower our community through education, opportunity, and innovation. As part of our team, you’ll have the chance to directly impact the lives of students and families in Southwest Washington, creating lasting change and fostering a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Clark College is a top-rated community college, and by joining the Foundation, you’ll be supporting an institution that’s recognized for excellence in education and student success. Here, you’ll collaborate with a dedicated group of professionals who are committed to creative problem-solving and bold thinking, all while being part of a respected organization that’s leading the way in philanthropy and advocacy work. We offer competitive compensation packages, a hybrid work policy that supports work-life balance, and a generous PTO allocation, including two weeks of office closures; one at the end of December and another week during the July 4th holiday. On top of that, you’ll have access to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as retirement options that ensure your future is well taken care of. If you’re ready to make an impact and be part of something bigger, Clark College Foundation is the place for you!

Position Summary:

The Senior Manager of Annual and Leadership Giving serves as the lead strategist and executor for Clark College Foundation's annual and leadership giving programs. This role designs and implements innovative, data-driven strategies to grow annual contributions, deepen donor engagement, and cultivate leadership-level donors who bridge the gap between annual and major giving. Annual and leadership giving refers to donors who contribute between $1–$24,999 but below major gift thresholds. This position does not manage major gift portfolios but plays a critical role in identifying and cultivating donors for future major gift opportunities. The Senior Manager oversees year-round solicitations and campaigns, optimizes donor acquisition and retention strategies, and manages vendor relationships to ensure high-quality execution of multi-channel campaigns. This position requires a strategic thinker with excellent communication and organizational skills, capable of building and maintaining relationships with diverse stakeholders, including engaging donors at varying levels. The Senior Manager plays a critical role in fostering a culture of philanthropy within the community, supports stewardship efforts to recognize donor generosity, and collaborates with colleagues to integrate annual and leadership giving into the broader philanthropic strategy. Working under the direction of the AVP of External Relations, this position also partners with alumni engagement initiatives to strengthen lifelong connections.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership Develop and implement comprehensive strategies for annual and leadership giving to increase revenue, participation, and donor upgrades. Establish annual goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for donor acquisition, retention, and leadership-level engagement in consultation with the AVP of External Relations. Collaborate with major gift officers to identify and transition leadership donors into the major gift pipeline.
• Campaign Management Plan, lead, and execute all aspects of annual and leadership giving campaigns/appeals, including strategies to secure contributions and encourage donors to increase their giving. Develop, manage, and coordinate multi-channel strategies and marketing materials (direct mail, email, peer-to-peer, and digital platforms) in partnership with communications and marketing staff to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with priorities. Create, manage, and monitor annual work plans and budget for the annual and leadership giving programs. Document all donor interactions and prospective donors using Raiser’s Edge and designated data systems.
• Donor Engagement and Stewardship Identify, solicit, and steward donors and prospective donors contributing $1 to $24,999. Manage recurring donor programs and implement strategies to increase retention, loyalty, and donor acquisition. Partner with the Director of Stewardship to develop and implement donor acknowledgment and recognition plans for annual and leadership donors. Plan and implement the foundation’s annual give day, PenguinsGive, and participate in community giving days and special campaigns.
• Data Analytics and Reporting Manage donor and campaign data, ensuring accuracy and quality for reporting, segmentation, and strategy development. Track and analyze year-over-year statistics, recurring donor metrics, and campaign performance to inform strategies. Provide detailed reports and insights to AVP of External Relations and leadership team on annual and leadership giving trends and outcomes.
• Vendor Management Manage relationships with external vendors (i.e., mail houses, digital agencies, printing services) to ensure high-quality, timely, and cost-effective implementation of campaigns. Evaluate vendor performance and recommend improvements or alternatives to ensure effectiveness and alignment with goals.
• Innovation and Best Practices Stay informed on trends and best practices in annual and leadership giving, donor engagement, and digital fundraising. Make data-driven recommendations for process improvements and pilot new strategies to enhance donor participation and campaign success.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in annual giving, leadership giving, alumni relations, fundraising, donor relations, or other related field.
• Proven success in strategic planning, donor cultivation, and vendor management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent administrative, organizational, prioritization and time management skills.
• Strong relational skills and ability to develop connections across various industries.
• Effective communicator with strong written and verbal skills that is experienced in engaging with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrates strong data management skills; excellent ability to enter, track, analyze and provide recommendations and learnings on data based on insight.
• Experience working with Raiser’s Edge, or another CRM (Customer Relations Management) platform.
• Proficient in Asana or other task and project management software is preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Ability to make decisions within a shared decision-making environment and exercise sound judgment.
• Adaptable to changing priorities.
• Self-motivated leader that takes initiative.
• Flexible and receptive to constructive feedback.
• Continual growth mindset to develop and improve existing processes to enhance program efficiencies.
• Commitment to the mission of Clark College and the Foundation.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and a minimum of three professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will remain open until the correct candidate is found. Clark College Foundation is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, and veteran status. The Clark College Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer and ensures equal employment opportunities in accordance with state and federal laws. If you are excited about this role and feel that you can contribute to the organization, but your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.