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Title: Associate Director, Redbird Philanthropy Engagement Center (RPEC)
Division Name: University Advancement
Department: Development-Fundraising
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

Associate Director, Redbird Philanthropy Engagement Center is the chief Philanthropy Engagement Center fundraiser and reports to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and will work closely with them to grow the new Redbird Philanthropy Engagement Center. The center utilizes student talent and human resources to engage donors across a multitude of fundraising marketing channels utilizing communication cadences to maximize relationship building and secure fundraising production. The Associate Director will be the lead fundraiser and frontline manager for student employees and will execute recruitment, training, and retention strategies. They will also lead the use of technology to execute fundraising strategies through the center. In this role, the Associate Director, will help to plan and implement the vision for the next phase of the engagement center. This will include building the new Student Development Officer program designed to qualify major gift leads through digital visits with student gift officers.

In addition, the Associate Director will be responsible for the Student Philanthropy program including project management, event planning and mass appeal strategies designed to educate students about philanthropy and acquire students as donors. The Sr. Director and Associate Director will partner to develop metrics, conduct data analysis, test strategies, and adjust to build a successful Philanthropy Engagement Center that benefits both the Annual and Major giving programs. The position will be responsible for personal fundraising metrics and leading the philanthropy engagement fundraising execution.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$50,000 - $60,000 Annually

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's Degree
2. Minimum of one year of experience in fundraising or transferable skills
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills
4. Proven skill in meeting goals and metrics
5. Ability to meet established deadlines
6. Demonstrated ability to work as a self-starter and self-motivator
7. Creative problem-solver who can identify gaps and opportunities and share recommendations to enhance the new Philanthropy Engagement Center
8. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
9. Ability to constructively integrate and contribute as a member of the Annual Giving team and the entire Development Department, as well as the Division of University Advancement
10. Demonstrated ability to behave in a manner that ensure confidentiality of donor data
11. Valid driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

1. Technical aptitude and experience with phonathon or mass fundraising appeal solicitation practices and software products.
2. Adept at segmenting, scripting, and developing an outreach strategy appropriate for each segment.
3. Experience managing employees or student employees specifically in fundraising arena.
4. Must be a proven fundraiser with the ability to build personal relationships and utilize technology to be scalable for Annual Giving fundraising.

Work Hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, with occasional evening and weekend work as required.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

7/11/2025

Required Applicant Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Reference List

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Position open until filled. First review of applications will be conducted on May 21.

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Contact Information for Applicants

Jillian Nelson, (309) 438 - 2592

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.