Job Summary:
The Director of Engagement provides strategic leadership for constituent engagement initiatives that strengthen lifelong relationships between Drury University and its alumni, parents, families, friends, fans, donors, volunteers, and community partners. The position is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive engagement strategies that increase participation, annual giving, foster volunteerism, support annual giving, and cultivate a culture of philanthropy.
The Director oversees alumni engagement, parent and family engagement, annual giving initiatives, volunteer leadership, Advancement events, constituent communications, and digital engagement. The position coordinates annual giving and uses data, best practices, and assessment to continually improve engagement, donor participation, and constituent experiences.
Duties/Responsibilities:
This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties or responsibility requirements. Employees may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive engagement strategy that supports the University's mission, strategic plan, and Advancement priorities.
- Lead engagement efforts for alumni, parents, families, friends, fans, donors, volunteers, and community partners through meaningful programs, communications, and volunteer opportunities.
- Serve as staff liaison to the Alumni Council, and other volunteer leadership groups; recruit, develop, recognize, and support volunteer leaders.
- Coordinate annual giving and manage the University's relationship with EAB, campaign implementation, segmentation, and performance evaluation.
- Lead annual giving initiatives designed to increase donor participation, donor retention, and unrestricted support through multi-channel campaigns, Giving Day(s) and digital campaigns, Student Success Fund initiatives, and other annual giving programs.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute Advancement-sponsored engagement events including Homecoming, Distinguished Alumni Awards, Golden Circle, regional events, parent and family programs, campaign events, and community engagement activities while collaborating with other departments to coordinate participation by Advancement.
- Develop annual engagement, communications, annual giving, and events calendars that ensure proactive planning and coordination across the Advancement division.
- Collaborate with University Marketing & Communications to develop engagement communications including email campaigns, newsletter, digital content, social media, print materials, and event promotions, including coordinating lists and proofing for the Drury Magazine.
- Develop engagement opportunities that encourage lifelong involvement, volunteerism, advocacy, mentoring, career networking, and philanthropy.
- Establish measurable goals and evaluate program effectiveness using participation, attendance, volunteer involvement, annual giving, digital engagement, and return-on-investment metrics.
- Prepare reports, recommendations, and strategic assessments for Advancement leadership.
- Represent University Advancement professionally at campus, community, and regional events while fostering positive constituent relationships.
Required Skills/Abilities:
To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Demonstrated initiative and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and solving problems.
- Strategic thinking, sound judgment, and the ability to translate ideas into successful programs.
- Exceptional organizational, planning, and project management skills.
- Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
- Experience leading events, volunteer programs, and constituent engagement initiatives.
- Knowledge of annual giving strategies, donor stewardship, and relationship management.
- Ability to analyze data, measure outcomes, and recommend continuous improvements.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, volunteers, and community partners.
- Experience with constituent relationship management systems such as Raiser's Edge and Microsoft Office applications.
- Some regional travel, nights and weekend work.
- The Director is expected to demonstrate initiative by proactively identifying opportunities, anticipating constituent and organizational needs, developing thoughtful recommendations, and executing engagement strategies that advance the University’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Success is this role requires strategic thinking, thoughtful planning, collaboration, exceptional follow-through, accountability, creativity, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Success is measured not only by completing assigned work, but identifying opportunities, anticipating needs, developing recommendations, and consistently following through to achieve measurable results.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
- Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, alumni relations, annual giving, engagement, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field.
- Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
May supervise student employees, interns and volunteers as assigned. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the university’s policies and applicable law.
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to travel off campus when required. Must be able to work some evenings and weekends. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
WORKING AT DU HAS ITS BENEFITS:
- Generous time off including 4+ weeks of paid time off starting your first year
- Free tuition for your whole family
- Free tickets to Drury home sporting events
- Health and wellness benefits at extremely competitive rates
- Free use of onsite fitness center on Springfield campus
- Discounted meals and Drury merchandise on campus
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- At least five years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, alumni relations, annual giving, engagement, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field
- Experience leading events, volunteer programs, and constituent engagement initiatives
- Knowledge of annual giving strategies, donor stewardship, and relationship management
- Experience with constituent relationship management systems such as Raiser's Edge and Microsoft Office applications
- Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, organizational, planning, and project management skills
- Ability to analyze data, measure outcomes, and recommend continuous improvements
- Ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, administrators, volunteers, and community partners
- Some regional travel and availability for evening and weekend work
What We Do
Drury University is an independent, church-related liberal arts university in Springfield, Missouri. It offers residential, evening, online and graduate study across more than 80 majors and programs, combining broad academic learning with professional preparation. Its mission centers on personalized education in a scholarly community, cultivating ethical insight, critical thought and imaginative faculties, integrating theoretical and practical knowledge, and preparing students to contribute responsibly to their communities and the wider world.
