MSUB Foundation & Alumni, is seeking an accomplished Assistant Director of Annual Giving – Events & Engagement to join our team. Candidates must reside in, or be able to reliably commute to, the Billings office location. This position plays a vital role in designing, managing, and advancing events that generate philanthropic support, increase donor participation, and strengthen relationships across MSUB’s alumni and community networks. The successful candidate has primary responsibility for the planning and execution of the MSUB Wine & Food Festival, the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, while also supporting a broader portfolio of annual giving, alumni, and engagement initiatives. 

General Statement:

Under the supervision of the Director of Annual Giving of the MSUB Foundation & Alumni, the Assistant Director of Annual Giving – Events & Engagement provides leadership and execution and continuous enhancement of the Foundation’s special events strategy in support of annual giving and community engagement priorities. This position plays a key role in designing, managing, and advancing events that generate revenue, increase donor participation, and strengthen relationships across MSUB’s alumni and community networks. This role has primary responsibility for the planning and execution of the MSUB Wine & Food Festival, the Foundation’s signature fundraising event, while also supporting a broader portfolio of annual giving, alumni, and engagement initiatives. The Assistant Director serves as a key partner within the Development Team, helping connect events to fundraising outcomes and overall campaign strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of the Foundation’s annual event portfolio, with primary responsibility for the MSUB Wine & Food Festival.
• Enhance donor-centric events by creating engaging, mission-driven experiences that strengthen donor relationships, increase alumni engagement, and inspire philanthropic support.
• Develop and manage event timelines, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with annual giving goals and Foundation priorities.
• Provide leadership in creating high-quality, engaging event experiences that enhance fundraising outcomes and community engagement.
• Manage the solicitation, tracking, and recording of in-kind donations for the Wine & Food Festival.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, external vendors, sponsors, and volunteers to ensure seamless event execution.
• Oversee logistics including venue coordination, catering, audiovisual needs, event registration, and sponsor fulfillment.
• Evaluate event success through revenue performance, attendance, sponsor engagement, and participant feedback.

• Identify, cultivate, and manage event sponsorship opportunities in partnership with the Annual Giving and Development teams.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for event sponsors, ensuring a professional and relationship-focused experience.
• Work collaboratively with volunteer committees (including Wine & Food Festival committees) to support sponsorship outreach and engagement.
• Strengthen partnerships with community organizations and businesses to support annual giving initiatives.

• Partner with the Director of Annual Giving to ensure event efforts are aligned with annual giving campaigns, appeals, and participation goals.
• Support strategic engagement opportunities that connect event participants to ongoing giving opportunities.
• Collaborate with Director of Annual Giving and Director of Advancement Services to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s overall donor stewardship strategy.
• Assist in the development and execution of initiatives that increase alumni and donor participation.

• Support the use and implementation of event-related systems, including registration platforms and donation tools (e.g., One Cause, GiveCampus).
• Collaborate with Database and Finance teams to ensure accurate tracking, reporting, and reconciliation of event revenue and participation.
• Help develop and maintain an annual events calendar in coordination with leadership and team priorities.

• Collaborate closely with the Marketing team to develop and produce event collateral, including invitations, sponsorship materials, signage, and promotional communications, ensuring consistency in messaging, branding, and overall event experience.
• Serve as a key connector across Advancement, campus partners, and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and coordination.
• Contribute to team planning and strategy discussions related to annual giving, engagement, and fundraising initiatives.
• Assist in creating scalable systems and processes that support long-term growth and efficiency.

• Performs related work and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum two years’ experience and skill in cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding within an advancement organization. Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated record of making direct solicitations and securing major gifts.
• A background in fundraising, including donor relationship management, campaign support, and/or philanthropic program oversight highly desirable.
• Excellent organizational skills to track moves management, document donor engagement history, and implement next steps while advancing a personal portfolio of donors.
• Exhibits a confident ability to build rapport and network with leadership-level donors.
• Possesses knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving, personal assets and estate planning, preferred.
• Maintains a strong commitment to organizational protocols while ensuring compliance with ethical fundraising principles.
• Demonstrated interest in all aspects of higher education and possesses a dedication in promoting the University’s fundraising priorities through developing excellent working relationships with Foundation staff, University personnel, Board Directors and other external stakeholders.
• Familiarity with donor management systems, preferred (e.g., Raiser’s Edge).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Possesses excellent oral, written, interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills
• Represents the MSUB Foundation & Alumni and University in a professional, positive, informed and persuasive manner.
• Maintains the Foundation’s reputation for integrity, responsibility, caring and prudent management of gifts.
• Exercises good judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Efficient time management and appropriate prioritization of duties.
• Willingness to perform a range of duties and travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; however, candidates with an Associate degree and related professional experience are encouraged to apply.
• Minimum of 2–5 years of experience in event management, fundraising, or a related field; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed, for Foundation events and activities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience planning and executing events, including budgeting, logistics, and vendor coordination.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with CRM or event systems (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, One Cause, GiveCampus) preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with donors, sponsors, volunteers, and staff.
• Ability to take on progressive responsibilities and adapt quickly to evolving priorities, technologies, and processes, preferred.
• Ability to be innovative and think strategically about events as a tool to drive engagement and fundraising outcomes.
• High-level confidence in decision-making, good judgement, and creative problem-solving skills with a solutions-oriented mindset.
• Ability to consistently produce accurate work while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading skills with ability to create compelling communications that supports event promotion, annual giving initiatives and donor stewardship.
• Experience managing large-scale fundraising or community events, preferred.
• Familiarity with annual giving or advancement operations, preferred.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency in Canva or other design tools, preferred.

Special Instructions Summary:

Montana State University Billings is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.

Montana State University Billings makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU Billings provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference or request accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, Montana State University Billings, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101-0298, 406-657-2278, employment@msubillings.edu.

MSU Billings Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Billings Website: http://www.msubillings.edu/humres/eeos.htm