University of South Carolina logo

University of South Carolina

Senior Director of Annual Giving

🇺🇸 Columbia, SC

🕑 Full-Time

💰 $96K

💻 Development & Advancement

🗓️ September 30th, 2025

Blackbaud CRM

Edtech.com's Summary

University of South Carolina is hiring a Senior Director of Annual Giving. The role involves managing and implementing direct and digital marketing solicitation and engagement programs for the university, developing unit-based annual giving strategies, overseeing various annual giving programs, and leading a team of fundraising professionals. The Senior Director will also execute the university's day of giving campaign and utilize Blackbaud CRM and analytics tools to drive data-driven fundraising strategies and maintain communication across the Division of Development.

Highlights
  • Manage and implement direct and digital marketing strategies for annual giving.
  • Develop and execute unit-based annual giving strategies in collaboration with university colleges, schools, and units.
  • Lead a team of fundraising professionals and oversee next-generation philanthropy, employee philanthropy, and employer matching gift programs.
  • Execute the University's day of giving campaign, Give 4 Garnet.
  • Use Blackbaud CRM and analytics tools to ensure data-driven, personalized fundraising efforts.
  • Requires a bachelor's degree and 5+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Preferred experience in annual giving, donor/alumni relations, revenue generation, and use of project management tools like JIRA.
  • Strong skills in integrated omnichannel marketing, predictive analytics, and managing complex projects and vendor contracts.
  • Starting salary: $95,954, with range commensurate with qualifications.
  • Reports to the Executive Director of Annual Giving and Lead Generation within the Division of Development.

Senior Director of Annual Giving Full Description

Senior Director of Annual Giving
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. 
 
We are only accepting applications submitted by October 27, 2025.
 
The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
  • Health and Life Insurance
  • Retirement Programs
  • Paid Tuition
  • Dependent Scholarships
  • Annual Leave
  • Sick Leave
  • 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Professional Development Opportunities

Logo  |
Posting Number  | STA00784PO25
Job Family  | Alumni Relations and Development
Job Function  | Annual Giving
USC Market Title  | Senior Director of Annual Giving
Link to USC Market Title  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/195214
Job Level  | M4 - Managerial
Business Title (Internal Title)  | Senior Director of Annual Giving
Campus  | Columbia
Work County  | Richland
College/Division  | Division of Development
Department  | DEV Development Office
State Pay Band  | 9
Approved Starting Salary  | $95,954
Advertised Salary Range  | $95,954 - commensurate with qualifications.
Location of Vacancy  | Columbia, SC
Part/Full Time  | Full Time
Hours per Week  | 37.5
Work Schedule  | Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Basis  | 12 months
Job Search Category  | Alumni Development
 
About USC 
About University of South Carolina  | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
 
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

 Position Description 
Advertised Job Summary  | Under limited supervision, reporting to the Executive Director of Annual Giving and Lead Generation (Executive Director), the Senior Director of Annual Giving Programs and Unit Strategy (Senior Director) is responsible for the management, coordination, and implementation of the direct and digital marketing solicitation and engagement programs for the university and for working with the colleges, schools and units to develop unit-based annual giving strategies. The Senior Director will also oversee the annual giving programs, including next-generation philanthropy, employee philanthropy, and employer matching gifts. The Senior Director will lead a team of fundraising professionals and develop and execute the overarching omnichannel strategy for a complex set of annual giving solicitations for the University of South Carolina and its academic units, university priorities, and special interest programs. The Senior Director will oversee the implementation and execution of the University of South Carolina’s day of giving campaign, currently known as Give 4 Garnet. The Senior Director plays an intricate role in establishing and delivering effective leadership, partnerships and communication with directors of development, and staff across the Division of Development. The Senior Director will utilize Blackbaud CRM and other analytics tools to ensure that strategies are data-driven, personalized, timely, and consistent with the goals set forth within the Annual Giving and Lead Generation programs.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience  | Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials  |
Preferred Qualifications  | Experience in Annual Giving, Donor Relations, Alumni Relations, or Higher Education Fundraising Operations.  Proven experience in revenue generation, creative writing, communications and marketing, client relations, and partner success. Previous experience with Blackbaud CRM or other higher education and/or nonprofit donor systems. Experience with project management tools, like JIRA.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities  | Comprehensive knowledge of principles and methods of planning and conducting a comprehensive integrated and omnichannel marketing fundraising program. Strong knowledge of predictive analytics and metrics to include effective mass solicitation and communication strategies. Ability to manage complex projects while also managing relationships with colleagues and supervising staff. Understands best industry practices as it relates to UX, design and content optimization, and analytics tools for fundraising success. Utilize quantitative and qualitative information to improve decision-making and outcomes and document results. Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with staff, faculty, alumni, donors, students, volunteers, businesses, external vendors, and the general public. Work with a high degree of flexibility in a highly collaborative, fast-paced, goal-oriented environment. Apply creative and entrepreneurial thinking while applying sound judgment and conducting oneself with integrity. Outstanding oral, written, and interpersonal communications skills.  Ability to adhere to industry guidelines, methodologies and code of ethics statements as defined by the Association for Professional Researchers in Advancement (APRA), the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and other professional organizations and associations. 

 Job Duties 
Job Duty  | Oversee the management and implementation of direct and digital marketing strategies. Develop and execute an annual plan and a comprehensive marketing calendar designed to support the goals of AGLG and the priorities of the university. Collaborate with the Executive Director to produce annual budget recommendations to support the organizational goals.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 20%Job Duty  | Direct and develop comprehensive annual giving strategies for the colleges, schools, and units. In collaboration with the Lead Senior Director of Development and the Executive Director of AGLG to determine annual strategy and budget recommendations to achieve the goals of each unit.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 20%Job Duty  | Develops, implements, and manages an integrated omnichannel marketing plan for the university and its colleges and units, including direct mail, email, digit ads, and social media. Collaborate with other members of the AGLG team to ensure coordination and integration of annual giving strategies. Implement a data-driven Annual Giving solicitation system. Determine appropriate marketing segmentation, track progress, report and evaluate results, and redirect tactics to improve outcomes. Assist with the strategic development and high-level interpretation of Annual Giving reports. Provides timely qualitative and quantitative reports of solicitation campaign performance and marketing metrics and analytics for the Division of Development; the colleges, schools, and units; and other partners as needed.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 20%Job Duty  | Develops, coordinates, and implements a university-wide giving day to include schools, colleges, regional campuses, and units. Manage and coordinate annual giving programs, including next-generation philanthropy, employee philanthropy, employer matching gifts, storytelling/creative writing, and volunteer engagement. Serve as an experienced resource for the annual giving programs and services team and university colleagues.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 25%Job Duty  | Perform other duties as assigned.
Essential Function  | No
Percentage of Time  | 5%Job Duty  | Build and maintain a portfolio of best practices and emerging marketing trends to enhance solicitation practices based on national/regional data and donor trends to achieve fundraising goals. Negotiate contracts with external vendors, including direct mail and printing houses. Manage vendors to produce highly segmented, customized direct mail appeals with complex variables.
Essential Function  | Yes
Percentage of Time  | 10%
 Position Attributes 
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive  | No
Hazardous weather category  | Non-Essential
 Posting Detail Information 
Number of Vacancies  | 1
Desired Start Date  | 12/01/2025
Job Open Date  | 09/26/2025
Job Close Date  | 10/27/2025
Open Until Filled  | No
Special Instructions to Applicant  | Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.  We are only accepting applications submitted by October 27, 2025. The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

Health and Life Insurance Retirement Programs Paid Tuition Dependent Scholarships Annual Leave Sick Leave 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday) Paid Parental Leave Professional Development Opportunities
Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.
Quicklink for Posting  | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/195464
EEO Statement  | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
  1. * Do you have at least a Bachelor's degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience? 
    • Yes
    • No
  2. * If so, please tell us how you qualify? 
    (Open Ended Question)
  3. * How many years of supervisory work experience do you have? 
    • 0 - under 3 years of supervisory work experience
    • 3 - under 5 years of supervisory work experience
    • 5 - under 7 years of supervisory work experience
    • More than 7 years of supervisory work experience
  4. * Although we accept resumes for review, the application is the official hiring document maintained by the university. Offers of employment and starting salaries are based on the education and work experience (including beginning and end dates) included in the university application only, not your resume. Have you included all details for all education, volunteer and work experiences in your job application? 
    • Yes
    • No
    • No Answer
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume
  3. List of References and Contact Information
Optional Documents