Assistant Director of Digital and Social Giving

Penn State University is seeking an innovative and strategic Assistant Director of Digital and Social Giving to join the Office of Annual Giving. Reporting to the director of Annual Giving, this position will play a key role in advancing the university’s digital fundraising strategies by leading initiatives that inspire broad-based donor participation. The Assistant Director will oversee signature digital fundraising events—including Penn State’s Giving Tuesday, THON fundraising partnerships, and Let’s Grow State crowdfunding campaigns—while managing relationships with vendor partners that support online giving platforms and tools.

The ideal candidate will have experience in digital engagement, project management, and donor acquisition, with a passion for building communities of support through compelling online experiences. The Digital and Social Giving program is designed to raise funds from, and provide meaningful engagement opportunities for, alumni, friends, students, faculty and staff, and parents and families at The Pennsylvania State University.

Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving and working closely with Unit Fundraising partners, Development Communications, as well as other partners, this Assistant Director of Digital and Social Giving will:

• Lead planning, execution, and evaluation of Penn State’s Giving Tuesday campaign, ensuring alignment with overall annual giving goals.
• Partner with internal units and campus/college partners to develop campaign themes, messaging, and strategies that drive participation and donor engagement.
• Manage Let’s Grow States crowdfunding platform and campaign pipeline, advising faculty, staff, and student groups on best practices.
• Provide training, coaching, and resources to campaign owners to ensure successful fundraising outcomes.
• Track and assess campaign performance, Monitor results and provide post-event reporting and analysis.
• THON is Penn State’s student-run philanthropy, the largest of its kind in the world, dedicated to raising funds and awareness in the fight against childhood cancer. This position will serve as the primary liaison for THON-related digital giving initiatives, ensuring smooth coordination of online platforms, donor communications, and reporting.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor partners that support Penn State’s online giving activities, including but not limited to:
  Give Campus, Anthology, Give Smart, Thank View,
• Oversee implementation, maintenance, and optimization of online giving tools to ensure a seamless donor experience.
• Collaborate with IT, communications, and other units to ensure platforms integrate effectively with broader advancement systems.

• Provide regular updates and recommendations to leadership on digital philanthropy trends, opportunities, and outcomes.
• Work in close partnership with Development Communications team to support social media campaigns, student philanthropy, and young alumni initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 3 or more years of experience in fundraising, digital engagement, marketing, or related field.
• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills;
• The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;
• Demonstrated success in planning and executing large-scale digital campaigns, events, or initiatives.
• Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience working with fundraising platforms, CRM systems, or digital marketing tools;
  Give Campus experience preferred
• Collaborative and creative thinker with a data-driven approach to problem-solving.
• Knowledge of higher education or nonprofit advancement preferred.
• A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team;
• A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored.

For full consideration, please include Resume and Cover Letter with your application.

DDAR is supportive of flexible work arrangements when…