Associate Director, Donor Insights at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University · Nashville, United States Of America · Hybrid
- Professional
- Office in Nashville
The Associate Director of Donor Insights is a new role in Vanderbilt’s Annual Giving department with the purpose of amplifying donor and giving insights for maximized annual giving impact. This individual is responsible for understanding donor behavior and preferences to drive Vanderbilt’s donor pipeline, amplify annual giving and current use fundraising, and identify actionable insights to impact fundraising and development strategies.
The Associate Director will analyze donor giving and engagement data to provide actionable insights that drive fundraising strategies and goals. The Associate Director will report to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Engagement Operations with a dotted line to the Director of Data Analytics in the Office of Data and Strategic Analysis.
About the Work Unit:
The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. You can find more information at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
- Conduct direct response and annual giving campaign reporting and analysis using SQL, CRM data, and visualization tools to make data-driven business recommendations, craft storytelling with data, and make key business recommendations
- Leverage engagement data and individual and constituent trends for propensity modeling, persona/interest tracking, and marketing channel insights to help develop more personalized and targeted solicitations and impact stewardship campaigns
- Partner cross-functionally with Office of Data and Strategic Analysis, Information Management, Research and Prospect Development and MarTech to analyze donor data and validate insights
- Provide actionable donor and giving insights to support strategic decision-making and business planning, driving departmental goals such as donors, dollars, and pipeline donor growth
- Help set and track progress toward Direct Response and Annual Giving goals, including retention, reactivation and acquisition and develop strategies to grow donor pipeline
- Serve in a leadership role on the Giving Day Donors, Dollars and Data working team to ensure a cohesive approach to gift tracking, coding and reporting; conduct detailed analysis of results
- Conduct benchmarking analyses to understand donor trends, landscape, and opportunities
- Consult on direct response and specialty campaign mailing lists and audience/segmentation strategies
- Design and conduct donor research to gather data on behavior, preferences, and attitudes
- Prepare detailed donor insights reports and clearly present research findings to stakeholders
- Develop coding criteria and processes for VQ reporting and monitor for any problems or issues
- Serve on relevant DAR project teams such as Interest Codes and Personas to represent the voice of the donor
- Serve as subject matter expert for DAR colleagues and other VU campus partners on donor analysis and insights
- Consult on strategy for engaging annual giving toolkits for Development Officers to ensure that a culture of annual giving is part of the major gift strategy
- Assist with creating strategic and engaging specialty campaign stewardship based on donor insights
- Assist with ad hoc reporting and analysis
- Perform other duties as assigned
Work Environment:
This position will be hybrid located in the Nashville area. The expectation will be 1 day in the office per week or more depending on business needs.
Supervisory Relationships:
This position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director of Annual Giving and Engagement Operations and no people management responsibilities. This position has a dotted line reporting function to the Director of Data Analytics in the Office of Data and Strategic Analysis.
Education and Certifications:
A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary, preferably in Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, Business Administration, or a related field. A master’s degree in a related field can be beneficial.
Experience and Skills:
Experience:
- Three or more years of experience, or the equivalent, is necessary (including internships, and relevant master’s level coursework). Higher education experience is not required
- Strong experience with data, analytics, and insights is required such as consumer insights, marketing insights, marketing analytics, email audience strategy, and/or data analytics.
- Passion for the donor and representing the voice of our donor in decisions
Analytical Skills:
- Strong analytical skills to interpret complex data and draw meaningful insights
- Proficiency in statistical analysis and data interpretation
- Track record of successful insights projects
- Can mine for insights that translate into actionable fundraising and marketing strategie
Technical Skills:
- Must be highly proficient in Excel (i.e., pivot tables, V-lookups, etc.)
- Must have strong experience using SQL to query large datasets
- Proficient in data visualization tools such as Tableau, CRM software like Salesforce, and Marketing Cloud
Problem Solving and Attention to Detail:
- High level of attention to detail to ensure the integrity, accuracy and reliability of donor data
- Ability to identify and correct errors in datasets to ensure highest level of data quality standards
- Strong problem-solving skills to address challenges in data collection, CRM coding and analysis
Communication Skills:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to present findings clearly and effectively
- Ability to convey complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information
Some evening and weekend work, as needed, for key events like Giving Day and Reunion.
Key Characteristics of a Successful Team Member in this Work Unit:
- Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes; and recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together.
- Shares information; communicates proactively; transmits knowledge; asks for advice and considers it thoughtfully.
- Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers.
- Expects and delivers excellence. Is proactive and focused on creative problem solving. Welcomes input to making things better. Places a high value on learning and improving.
- Is motivated. Manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track. Balances multiple, competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed.
Company
At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.
We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.
