Description
U.S. Soccer Overview
The U.S. Soccer Federation exists in service to soccer. Our aim is to ignite a national passion for the game. Because we believe that soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good.
We understand the importance and the power of teamwork, on and off the pitch. That is why we work closely with our Federation partners and members, to inspire, support and guide every level of the game: from the grassroots to the National Teams. We want to bring soccer into every home and every community, right across America. Because we believe that soccer can transform lives like no other sport. Soccer can represent the best of U.S.
U.S. Soccer is in a period of significant growth, with ambitious plans for U.S. Soccer in the near and far future. We are, therefore, looking for dynamic servant leaders to join us on this journey: in service to soccer. Applicants must be able to demonstrate visionary leadership, analytical decision-making, professional flexibility, and an empathic management style that builds bold teams and delivers globally significant results.
Position Description
Reporting to the Vice President, Strategic Philanthropy, the Director, Annual Fund serves as the strategic leader responsible for developing, implementing, and driving a comprehensive, multi-channel annual giving program to secure unrestricted support from donors giving under $10,000. This role will design and execute data-informed strategies that leverage direct mail, digital, social, and peer-to-peer channels to expand the organization’s base of philanthropic support and strengthen donor engagement. The Director will be a strategic thinker and exceptional collaborator—working cross-departmentally with colleagues across Advancement, Marketing & Communications, and other teams to align messaging, integrate campaigns, and deliver compelling donor communications that inspire giving and deepen loyalty.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and lead a comprehensive annual fund strategy focused on donor acquisition, retention, and unrestricted revenue growth.
- Establish multi-year plans and annual goals aligned with the organization’s fundraising priorities.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate integrated, multi-channel fundraising campaigns across direct mail, email, digital, social media, and peer-to-peer platforms.
- Partner with the Marketing & Communications team to develop creative content and messaging that drive donor engagement and align with brand standards.
- Hire and manage relationships with external vendors, consultants, and creative partners supporting annual fund activities.
- Collaborate with the Stewardship and Mid-Level and Major Gifts teams to identify and cultivate donors for increased engagement and giving.
- Establish and track key performance indicators, analyzing data to measure results and inform strategic decisions.
- Stay informed on trends and best practices in annual giving and emerging fundraising trends to ensure continued growth and innovation.
- Promote a culture of philanthropy across federation staff, stakeholders, and entire organization
- Support overall goals of the Advancement team
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field required
- 7-10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with proven experience developing and executing large-scale, multi-channel annual giving strategies that drive measurable revenue and donor growth, including digital fundraising experience and acumen
- Excellent project management, communication, and collaboration skills; ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.
- Strong background in donor segmentation, campaign analytics, and CRM database management (Salesforce experience preferred).
- Exceptional writing and storytelling skills tailored for donor audiences
- Strategic thinker with a deep understanding of donor motivations and fundraising lifecycles
- Extraordinary collaborator and culture-builder
- General knowledge of soccer
- Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
- Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
- Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)
U.S. Soccer offers a comprehensive compensation package, casual work environment, an inclusive culture, and an atmosphere for professional development.
U.S. Soccer is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, military status, political belief, or any other characteristic protected under the law. This policy applies to all our employment practices within our organization. We strongly encourage women, people of color, LGBTQIA, veterans, parents, and persons with disabilities to apply.