Director, Annual Giving and Donor Engagement

Mar 3

Appalachian Mountain Club
Remote (Northeast USA)

Anticipated Start Date: TBD

Description

Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, Jennifer Norris, the Director of Annual Giving and Donor Engagement (DAGDE) is a dynamic, innovative professional with a proven track record in annual giving and donor stewardship. The DAGDE will develop and implement a multi-year strategy to drive substantial growth in annual giving and donor engagement as part of AMC’s comprehensive campaign. They will set strategic direction for annual and multiyear plans to grow AMC’s Annual Fund in revenue, donor numbers, and lifetime donor value.

This person will spearhead AMC’s fundraising growth by creating and executing a comprehensive, integrated, and strategic annual giving and donor engagement program. AMC aims to significantly expand its fundraising efforts to support operational, programmatic, and campaign needs, increase its donor base, ensure predictable revenue, and advance mission-driven initiatives. This role balances high-level strategic planning and organizational leadership with hands-on execution, including developing and implementing fundraising solicitations.

The DAGDE will oversee a donor-focused, data-driven annual giving program, targeting gifts between $1,000 and $9,999 for AMC’s Annual Fund and other operational needs. Additionally, the DAGDE will design and lead a comprehensive engagement program that strengthens connections with donors at all levels, with a particular emphasis on the President’s Society (AMC’s midlevel annual giving society for $1,000+ donors). Current engagement efforts include mailings, email communications, and cultivation events, ranging from multiday outdoor adventures to webinars and receptions throughout AMC’s region. The DAGDE will manage a team of two, the Donor Engagement Manager and Annual Giving Manager, and collaborate across the development and membership teams to expand annual giving efforts.

The salary range for this position is $100,000 – $120,000 and is dependent on a candidate’s permanent location. While a remote position, this candidate needs to be based in an area where AMC serves, from Virginia to Maine. AMC is committed to fair compensation practices and encourages qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents AMC’s starting point, and its compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of its employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey at the starting point of the salary range.

Responsibilities

Strategy

Develop and implement a multi-channel annual giving plan (direct mail, email, web, social media, texting, monthly giving, and volunteer engagement) to drive donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades.
Design innovative engagement and stewardship strategies using personalized communications and recognition programs.
Use data-driven insights to set and manage giving targets, focusing on growing the President’s Society donor base ($1,000–$9,999) and increasing lifetime donor value
Collaborate with the Development and Marketing teams to maximize contributions and engage a broad donor base.
Optimize the annual giving and engagement budget to maximize ROI and program impact.

Delivery

Execute an annual calendar of giving campaigns, managing budgets and collaborating with cross-functional teams (marketing, communications, membership, and major gifts) for cohesive messaging.
Develop compelling donor communications and marketing collateral aligned with AMC’s strategic priorities.
Leverage donor data to personalize engagement and identify major and planned giving prospects.
Collaborate with major and planned giving teams to ensure seamless donor experiences.
Promote a culture of philanthropy by training staff, volunteers, and chapter leaders to support fundraising efforts.
Manage vendor relationships for cost-effective program execution.
Travel as needed to AMC locations (Maine to Virginia) for staff meetings, donor events, and cultivation opportunities.

Leadership and Staff Management

Lead and mentor the Donor Engagement Manager and Annual Giving Manager, setting clear goals and providing regular feedback to support team development and performance.
Foster a collaborative, results-oriented work environment that promotes innovation, accountability, and continuous learning

Requirements

7+ years of fundraising expertise in annual giving, donor engagement, and stewardship.
3+ years of experience managing staff, with a focus on fostering a collaborative, results-driven culture.
Comprehensive knowledge of fundraising principles, strategies, and trends in annual giving and donor engagement.
Proven ability to design and execute complex, segmented fundraising campaigns across multiple channels.
Strong ability to collaborate across departments and engage diverse stakeholders effectively.
Analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and develop actionable recommendations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling donor-focused messaging.
Expertise with Salesforce or similar CRM systems for donor management, segmentation, and reporting.
Entrepreneurial mindset with a data-informed approach to testing new strategies and iterating for improvement.
Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, with the flexibility to adapt to evolving priorities.
Campaign experience a plus.
Sound judgment, discretion, and personal integrity when handling sensitive information.
Passion for AMC’s mission of promoting outdoor recreation and conservation
The ability to travel frequently in support of AMC’s philanthropic priorities (including weeknights and weekends). Travel may involve going to backcountry locations and staying in dormitory-style accommodation. AMC encourages candidates to have a willingness to learn how to engage in outdoor recreational activities, including skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in difficult terrain.

Salary Range and Employee Benefits

$100,000 – $120,000

How to Apply for this Job

Apply Now

About the Organization

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. The AMC is dedicated to the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. It encourages the involvement of all people in its mission and activities, through its membership, programs, policies, and procedures, and is blessed to have an engaged, passionate, and committed community of donors who care deeply about and generously support AMC’s mission.

AMC’s donor community is led by the President’s Society – a group of outdoor enthusiasts who contribute $1,000 or more per year to AMC. The President’s Society started in 1989 as an idea and has since grown into a community of over 1,000 members who contribute millions of dollars per year to AMC’s mission through the annual fund. This group has seen explosive growth in recent years, and AMC is excited about the future growth potential and is investing in staff resources to take this program to new heights.

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