Annual Giving Officer

Join UAA as Our Next Annual Giving Officer — and Help Shape a Culture of Philanthropy That Moves Alaska Forward.

The University of Alaska Anchorage is seeking an energetic, strategic, and relationship-driven Annual Giving Officer to lead broad-based fundraising efforts that inspire thousands of alumni, donors, and friends to give back. In this high-impact role, you’ll drive the vision for UAA’s annual giving strategy, manage a dynamic donor portfolio, and spearhead the University of Alaska System’s premier Giving Day campaign.

You’ll partner with colleges and programs across campus to design smart, targeted outreach—email campaigns, digital appeals, compelling visuals, and social storytelling—that motivates meaningful support through gifts under $1,000. You’ll use data to inform decisions, craft personalized donor experiences, and build lasting relationships that strengthen donor participation and retention.

If you’re a creative marketer, an organized project leader, and a natural connector who loves turning insights into action, this role offers the perfect mix of strategy, collaboration, and hands-on campaign execution. You’ll work with cutting-edge fundraising platforms, present results to campus partners, and help UAA reach its ambitious $500,000 annual giving goal.

Ideal candidates bring experience in fundraising or sales, strong communication and digital engagement skills, and the confidence to lead major initiatives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. A sense of humor, a passion for community, and a commitment to representing UAA with professionalism and enthusiasm are musts.

Make a measurable difference. Grow a culture of giving. Join UAA and help build a brighter future for Alaska and beyond. UAA’s salary and benefits package is comprehensive, including competitive salary (grade 81), generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave, health insurance (including dental and vision options), and retirement.

The Annual Giving Officer for the University of Alaska Anchorage leads key initiatives that strengthen philanthropic support across the university. This position manages UAA’s Giving Day, the Annual Campaign, and segmented appeals for colleges and programs, while also coordinating select donor and campaign-related events. The officer maintains a portfolio of mid-level donors and is responsible for generating approximately $500,000 in annual support as part of a 12-member development team that collectively raises $4–$6 million each year.

Successful candidates will bring experience in fundraising and/or sales and marketing; strong administrative and independent-working skills; and the ability to align efforts within a collaborative team environment. The role requires comfort with a range of technology platforms (or the ability to learn quickly) and the capacity to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable reporting. A bachelor’s degree and at least two years of relevant experience—or an equivalent combination of education and experience—are required.

To thrive as UAA's Annual Giving Officer, the successful candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, public administration or relevant field and two years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Minimum of three years of experience in sales, marketing, or philanthropy; experience in higher education or non-profit work environment a plus.

Experience working in a large complex system environment that encompasses diverse communities, people, cultures, and customs preferred.

Knowledge of philanthropic support, fundraising, and donor relations or marketing and sales knowledge, with an awareness of the importance of understanding industry trends, best practices and technology.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This position is located at the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage. This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 81, based on education and experience.

Review of applicants will begin immediately, and the posting is scheduled to close on 12/31/2025.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Contact information for three professional references
• *Writing Sample: Applicants must provide a sample thank you letter addressed to a University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) donor. The letter should demonstrate professional tone, clarity, and an ability to convey gratitude on behalf of the institution. This sample will be used to assess written communication skills and alignment with UAA’s donor stewardship practices.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Helen Sale, HR Coordinator, at 907-786-6885.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.