Title: Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations Communications

Employee Classification: Director, Development Support

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Advancement

SubDivision-Department: UNT-Advancement

Department: UNT-Advancement - Gen-170000

Job Location: Denton

Salary: $68,000 - $72,800

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Division of University Advancement strives to transform lives and unlock potential through the power of philanthropy and engagement by awakening and stewarding pride and loyalty for the University of North Texas.

Established in 1890, the University of North Texas is a place where students transform their lives through education and opportunity. With more than 46,000 students from across the state, nation, and world, UNT offers 240 academic programs — many nationally and internationally recognized. A Tier One research university and designated a Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Institution, UNT has a legacy of excellence in education, music, the arts, business and social sciences, with growing strengths in science and engineering. Last year, students earned nearly 13,000 degrees and joined UNT's network of 480,000 alumni, fueling progress and innovation.

The University of North Texas Division of University Advancement seeks a strategic, detail-driven, and donor-centered communicator to serve as Director of Annual Giving and Donor Relations Communications. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Communications, this role leads communications strategy and execution for annual giving campaigns and donor stewardship—ensuring donors at all levels feel informed, inspired, and appreciated.

Position Overview

The Director develops content that supports broad-based giving campaigns, year-round appeals, and meaningful stewardship efforts. This includes writing and managing solicitations, coordinating messaging for giving days and faculty/staff campaigns, and creating compelling content that thanks and celebrates donors.

A key member of the Advancement Communications team, the Director works in close partnership with the Annual Giving and Donor Relations teams to ensure communications are timely, effective, and aligned with UNT’s brand voice and philanthropic goals. This position manages key solicitation and stewardship channels — including ownership of email and print appeal workflows, coordination with external partners and mail houses, and oversight of production timelines from concept through delivery.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and four years of related professional experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

* General knowledge of philanthropy and fundraising principles or ability quickly assimilate
* In depth knowledge of principles of assigned area
* Supervisory experience
* Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with internal and external contacts
* Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of others
* Ability to utilize software relevant to the position

Preferred Qualifications

* Experience in higher education, advancement, or nonprofit fundraising communications.
* Familiarity with donor segmentation, giving days, or digital platforms like ThankView.
* Understanding of CASE standards or best practices in donor relations and stewardship.

Job Duties

• Annual Giving Campaigns * Serve as a strategic thought partner to the Annual Giving team, helping shape messaging strategy and content development for year-round campaigns. * Develop and execute communication plans for multi-channel annual giving efforts, including email, print, digital, and text-based appeals. * Collaborate with Annual Giving colleagues to support campaigns such as faculty/staff giving, student philanthropy, giving days, and calendar-year-end efforts. * Maintain content calendars, track deadlines, and coordinate across platforms to ensure message alignment and timely delivery. * Oversee production timelines for all solicitation communications, including working directly with external vendors and mail houses to manage printing, personalization, and mailing of physical appeals. * Ensure efficient workflows and approvals for all giving appeals, form initial copy development through final delivery. 
• Donor Stewardship and Recognition * Act as a strategic partner to the Donor Relations team to create and refine messaging that reflects gratitude and demonstrates donor impact. * Lead writing and editing of stewardship materials including thank-you letters, impact stories, acknowledgment content, and other recurring touchpoints. * Contribute content and consultation for donor recognition projects such as endowment reports, naming announcements, or milestone acknowledgments. - (Essential)
• 20% - Email and Print Communications * Write, schedule and send all Annual Giving and Donor Relations email messages, ThankView messages and text messages for annual giving and stewardship communications in collaboration with partner teams. * Coordinate print materials such as postcards, letters, and inserts, ensuring timely production and delivery. * Maintain strong project management practices to support solicitation and stewardship campaigns across email and print, including testing, list coordination, and deadline tracking.
• Content Development and Brand Alignment * Ensure all communications align with UNT’s philanthropic tone and storytelling strategy, highlighting impact and student success. * Tailor messaging for different audiences (first-time donors, loyal givers, faculty/staff, students) while maintaining a cohesive brand voice. * Collaborate with Advancement’s creative team and videographers to develop integrated content when appropriate. 
• Data-Driven Optimization * Track engagement metrics (open rates, giving rates, click-through, etc.) for appeals and stewardship communications. * Use data insights to refine messaging, adjust timing, and improve results. * Provide regular reports and campaign summaries to partner teams and leadership. 

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm; Typical 40-hour work week with possible flex-time schedule and hybrid work opportunities.

Driving University Vehicle

Yes

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.