The Catholic University of America

The Assistant Vice President, Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving provides strategic vision and leadership for the University’s alumni engagement and annual giving efforts. This role ensures an integrated approach to cultivating lifelong alumni connections and securing philanthropic support for the University.

The AVP sets measurable goals, acts as liaison to the Alumni Association, manages programmatic priorities, mentors staff, and has authority to establish and responsibility to meet annual goals for both alumni engagement and annual giving as part of the overall Advancement strategy. The AVP is a member of the advancement senior leadership team. The AVP also oversees budgets and policy development for the areas of responsibility, aligning the work of alumni engagement and annual giving teams with University Advancement’s strategic priorities.

The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $150,000-180,000/yr.

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving programs. Lead and mentor staff across both functions, including directors, associate/assistant directors, and administrative staff. Establish and track measurable goals aligned with University Advancement priorities. Serve as a member of the senior leadership team in university advancement.

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive alumni engagement program. Create innovative strategies, events, volunteer opportunities, and communications that foster lifelong connections between alumni and the University, strengthen the Alumni Association, and promote alumni participation in the life and mission of Catholic University.

• Design and implement a comprehensive annual giving strategy. Develop and manage a solicitation calendar including direct mail, online giving, peer-to-peer campaigns, giving challenges, and phonathon programs. Partner with school-based advancement teams to maximize participation and revenue.

• Serve as primary liaison to the Alumni Association. Work collaboratively with the Alumni Board to strengthen alumni participation, leadership, and volunteer engagement.

• Engage alumni and donors directly. Solicit leadership annual gifts and cultivate volunteer leaders through visits, calls, and events. Coordinate annual leadership gift solicitation with major gift officers, Leadership Annual Giving officers, senior University leadership, and Advancement colleagues.

• Oversees Virtual Engagement Officer and similar programs to expand reach and effectiveness of alumni engagement through emerging technologies and innovative methods. Responsible for strategy and analysis, managing external partnerships, incorporating university stakeholders such as University Communications, and leading a cross-divisional team for implementation.

• Oversee budgets and resources for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving. Monitor and steward departmental budgets, ensuring effective and efficient use of university resources.

• Coordinate communications and stewardship efforts. Partner with Advancement Communications, Donor Relations, Marketing, and other units to develop compelling messaging and collateral for alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives.

• Foster cross-campus collaboration. Partner with deans, faculty, Athletics, and Student Affairs to integrate alumni engagement and annual giving efforts across the University.

• Track and report outcomes. Regularly monitor progress toward alumni engagement and annual giving goals; provide reports and recommendations to Advancement leadership.

   

• Bachelor's Degree
• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, alumni relations, or fundraising, with significant leadership in alumni engagement and annual giving.
• Demonstrated success in managing professional staff, developing strategy, and achieving measurable results in both engagement and fundraising.
• Experience working with volunteer leaders, alumni boards, and trustees is essential.
• Prior experience in higher education or a comparably complex nonprofit environment preferred.
• Proficiency with fundraising and alumni engagement databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge or equivalent CRM) and related reporting tools.
• Strong knowledge of digital engagement and solicitation platforms, event management systems, and volunteer management tools.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive messages and deliver compelling presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, supervise staff, and balance multiple priorities under deadline.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills with the ability to inspire staff, volunteers, and alumni.
• Strategic thinker with proven ability to build consensus, foster collaboration, and cultivate relationships across diverse constituencies.
• High level of discretion, integrity, and judgment in handling confidential information.
• Strong commitment to the mission and values of The Catholic University of America, with the ability to represent the University effectively to internal and external audiences.