Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving | Communications at Appalachian State University

Edtech.com's Summary

Appalachian State University is hiring an Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving | Communications. This role develops and executes strategic communications and marketing collateral for annual giving appeals and alumni fundraising, manages social media strategies, and collaborates with internal teams to optimize donor engagement and fundraising effectiveness.

Highlights

Design and produce marketing collateral for annual giving appeals including direct mail, email, and digital assets.

Develop and manage social media strategies focused on fundraising and donor participation.

Coordinate audience segmentation and campaign communications with the Annual Giving team.

Analyze performance metrics to improve fundraising communications.

Maintain compliance with University branding and gift solicitation policies.

Foster relationships with campus administrators, alumni, and development officers to support alumni outreach and giving.

Manage event-related alcohol service requiring TIPS certification.

Proficient in Canva or Adobe Creative Suite, Google Workspace, and web technologies.

Bachelor's degree required, preferably with a focus in marketing or communications; preferred candidates have two years' experience in graphic design, social media, and fundraising communication.

Salary range is $55,000 - $60,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving | Communications Full Description

Employment Opportunities

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Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving | Communications Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply for this Job link/button.
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Application Deadline: All applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date indicated in the posting. For positions listed as Open Until Filled, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Please attach the required documents:

Cover Letter
Resume
List of Professional References with Contact Information
Writing examples (two) and graphic design examples (two) - Use the "Writing Samples" upload slot to upload a combined PDF

Posting Details

Request to Recruit

Position Title	Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving \| Communications
Location	Boone, North Carolina
Faculty Rank	No
Provide Rank	N/A
Position Number	0A1151
Department	Executive Director-Alumni Affairs - 530000

Position Summary Information

Primary Purpose	Develop and execute effective communications for the annual giving and alumni fundraising experience. In collaboration with the Office of Annual Giving (or Annual Giving team), develop and execute strategic annual giving appeals, including marketing collateral and campaigns designed to increase donor participation. Review and analyze the goals, metrics, and return on investment for each annual giving communications strategy.
Minimum Qualifications	Education: Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution, with preference given to those who have focused their studies on marketing or communications. Given the nature of the role and its focus on our alumni base, graduates of Appalachian State at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are highly encouraged to apply; notably, prior experience with or knowledge of the University is not the sole basis for candidate selection. Skills: Possess a minimum of two years of professional experience with proven competence in: Executing graphic design projects that adhere to the established branding of the Office of Alumni Engagement Producing engaging content for social media platforms Showcase advanced skills in both videography and photography Exhibit the ability to align written communication style with organizational brand voice, with preference given to those who have experience with fundraising-specific communications Maintain expertise in utilizing various software platforms and the capacity to learn new systems Demonstrate superior time management abilities and the capacity to oversee multiple concurrent assignments Provide evidence of exceptional oral and written communication, complemented by public speaking experience Manage comprehensive marketing initiatives for web and print to support giving and alumni services, featuring design experience in both mediums Mastery of Canva or the Adobe Creative Suite High level of proficiency in web technologies and Google Workspace products Commitment to delivering excellent customer service while serving as a positive representative for Appalachian State University and the Alumni Association Other: Valid driver’s license Willingness to work evenings and weekends, ability to travel independently both in and out of state
License/Certification Required	n/a
Preferred Qualifications	Education: Requires a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university. A concentration in communications or marketing is preferred. Due to working with our alumni population, Appalachian State undergraduate and graduate graduates are strongly encouraged to apply. However, the selection will not be solely based on knowledge or experience with Appalachian State University. Demonstrated significant proficiency (with two years of experience): Graphic design and its alignment with the Office of Alumni Engagement’s current branding Social media content creation Excellent written and oral communication skills, including some experience in public speaking Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite and/or Canva
Essential Duties and Responsibilities	Communications Design and produce compelling marketing collateral for annual giving appeals, including direct mail, email campaigns, and digital assets. Develop and execute social media strategies focused on fundraising campaigns, donor participation drives, and Giving Day initiatives. Coordinate with the Annual Giving team to manage audience segmentation and list strategies for effective donor solicitation. Create and maintain a calendar of solicitation communications, ensuring consistent and impactful messaging across all platforms. Collaborate with Advancement Communications to draft donor impact stories and stewardship content that encourages repeat philanthropy. Monitor, analyze, and report on the performance metrics of all annual giving communications to optimize future appeal strategies. Ensure all fundraising communications strictly adhere to University branding, identity standards, and gift solicitation policies. Team Foster and maintain strategic relationships with campus administrators, communication leads, and development officers to enhance alumni outreach and annual giving. Work alongside students, faculty, staff, and alumni to champion the alumni association’s objectives and highlight the importance of active participation via giving, service, and engagement. Actively participate in the university’s broader alumni initiatives as a core member of the Alumni Engagement team, including committee service and attendance at major events, athletic competitions, and arts programs. Undertake travel as required to fulfill staffing requirements and engagement goals. Availability for evening and weekend assignments is necessary to support specific engagement initiatives. Manage alcohol service for McKinney Alumni Center events organized by Alumni Engagement; note that this duty does not extend to external rentals or partner events. TIPS certification is a requirement. Advancement and Campus Partnerships Ensure that interactions with alumni, focused on philanthropy and engagement, are strategic, consistent, and of the highest quality in partnership with University Advancement. Facilitate collaboration between the Office of Alumni Engagement and the Office of Annual Giving through communications when needed. Volunteer Management Assist with chapter and network toolkits as needed. Provide training as needed to volunteer leadership.
Type of Position	Full Time Position
Staff/Non-Faculty	Staff/Non-Faculty
VISA Sponsorship?	VISA sponsorship is not available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.
Appointment Type	1.0
Work Schedule/Hours	Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. except when travel, evening and weekend work is required
Number of Hours Per Week	40
Number of Months Per Year	12
Mandatory Staff	No
Suggested Salary Range	$55,000 - $60,000 (Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Physical Demands of Position	Typical of an office environment.

Posting Details Information

Posting Date	09/22/2026
Closing Date	10/18/2026
Open Until Filled	No
Evaluation of Applications Begins	09/28/2026
Proposed Date of Hire	10/01/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants	Please attach the required documents: Cover Letter Resume List of Professional References with Contact Information Writing examples (two) and graphic design examples (two) – Use the “Writing Samples” upload slot to upload a combined PDF
Search Chair Name	Sara Harkey
Search Chair Email	[email protected]
Quick Link	https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/56308
Posting Number	201501853P

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

* Do you have experience in office software (specifically Google Office or Microsoft)?
- Significant Experience
- Limited Experience
- No Experience
* What is your experience working alongside and/or managing volunteers?
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have any experience working in an office environment that supports development/fundraising staff?
- Yes
- No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume
Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
List of References with Contact Information
Writing Samples
Sample Projects (Explanation in Applicant Instructions)

Optional Documents

Why Work for AppState?

University of North Carolina System Employment
Careers with the State of North Carolina

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Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving | Communications

Edtech.com's Summary

Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving | Communications Full Description

Associate VP, Advancement Services & Strategic Information Resources

Director, Advancement Communications & Philanthropic Proposals

KPBS Major Gifts Officer

Communications Officer

Senior Director of Development, Principal Gifts (VPUR)