Associate Director of Annual Giving

Aspen Leadership Group is proud to partner with Valparaiso University in the search for an Associate Director of Annual Giving.

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Development, the Associate Director of Annual Giving will be responsible for overseeing and growing Valparaiso University’s annual giving program, the Valpo Fund. This role will manage relationships with external vendors for mailings, including but not limited to the year-end, fiscal-year-end, and Valpo Day appeals. The Associate Director will also lead signature giving initiatives such as Valpo Day and Giving Tuesday, oversee the 1859 Society, and implement strategies to grow membership and donor engagement.

Valparaiso University (Valpo) is an independent Lutheran school with a reputation for extraordinary academics and a bright, energetic spirit. Valpo offers more than 70 undergraduate majors in five colleges and more than 20 graduate programs. With an average class size of 21, the university boasts a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university offers study abroad opportunities with dedicated study centers in England, Germany, Costa Rica, and China, and additional opportunities available in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, and Central and South America.

As a faith-based school, Valparaiso University works towards a mission that focuses on both the academic and spiritual journeys of its students. Valpo provides a community of learning dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith — preparing students to lead and serve in both church and society. It prides itself on being a welcoming community for all faiths, built on values of mutual respect, positive regard, and academic freedom.

As an institution that sets high standards for its students and faculty, Valparaiso University consistently achieves national recognition for best teaching and value and as one of the best universities in the Midwest. The Princeton Review ranked Valpo number five for the best green MBA. U.S. News & World Report has ranked it one of the top ten regional universities in the Midwest and it is currently listed among the best nationally ranked colleges.

The same publication named the university as the number one best value and number five for best undergraduate teaching in the Midwest. Valpo regularly appears in Forbes “America’s Top Colleges” list. It is also listed as one of the best colleges in Indiana by

Valpo students and recent alumni have been honored with prestigious awards, such as the Fulbright Fellowship, IEEE Fellowship, Gilman International Scholarship, National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, and the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship. Valpo ranks second among U.S. master’s degree institutions in producing winners of prestigious Fulbright awards for international study, research, and teaching. The faculty are also nationally recognized.

Professors have recently been granted research grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Luther Institute. Valpo professors have also been honored with the National Book Award, membership in the President’s Council on Bioethics, and recognition as Chevalier in France’s Ordre des Palmes acadé miques.

A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, and at least three years of experience in annual giving, fundraising, sales, or marketing is required for this position. Experience in higher education or a related nonprofit sector is preferred. Valparaiso University will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. If you are excited about this role and feel you can contribute to Valpo, even if your experience does not exactly align with every qualification listed above, we encourage you to apply.

All applications must be accompanied by a cover letter and résumé. Cover letters should be responsive to the mission of Valparaiso University and the responsibilities and qualifications specified in the position prospectus.

The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $75,000. Valparaiso University offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; an Employee Assistance Program; a retirement plan with an employer match; tuition remission and exchange programs; and generous paid time off.