The Director of Donor Relations has responsibility for all stewardship efforts, overseeing a structured gift acknowledgement process, financial and impact reporting, donor recognition activities and other stewardship plans, events and correspondence. The Director reports to the Executive Director of Development Operations.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Organize, produce and/or coordinate donor communications and materials (print, electronic) that encourage and sustain meaningful relationships between donors and the university
- Coordinate with Student Financial Planning on awarding and with Finance to set annual scholarship budgets, ensuring budget and criteria compliance, timeliness and completion of awards work in conjunction DevOps on the reporting of endowed scholarships.
- Oversee financial and impact reporting on endowed and restricted funds, including pulling, sorting and reviewing data to ensure accuracy in reporting
- Oversee an efficient, timely gift acknowledgement process that thanks donors consistently and meaningfully
- Collaborate with fundraisers, faculty, staff and other colleagues to build, plan and execute various donor relations programs and giving societies.
- Work with fundraisers and colleagues on stewardship plans for leadership, major, first-time and annual donors
- Gather compelling stories from students, faculty and staff about the impact of donor giving
- Manage, in coordination with University Events, an annual donor recognition event/effort, and help with Thank-A-Donor Days. Assist with other special scholarship events (e.g. Honors Convocation, award ceremonies) involving donors and recipients.
ROUTINE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Supervise Assistant Director of Donor Relations, who oversees student employees
- Maintain accurate and current records and documentation
- Assist in the development of scholarship criteria and fund descriptions for named funds
- Field inquiries from donors, campus partners and others, which includes researching fund data, documentation and histories, and compiling reports and responses
- Oversee the preparation of biographical sketches/corporate profiles of donors to distribute to students when they are notified of scholarship awards
- Ensure that that gifts are spent according to donor intent
- Adhere to all policies, procedures and timelines associated with the Donor Relations program
- Perform other duties as assigned
MINIMUM EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree; Master's degree preferred
Required Skills
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and tasks
- A high level of initiative, professionalism and confidentiality
- Strong organizational, research and managerial skills
- High emotional intelligence
- Enthusiasm for working with a diverse student population
- Proficiency with personal computer/word processing systems including Microsoft Office Word and Excel and Access
- Excellent demonstrated written, proofreading and oral communication skills
- Attention to detail
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred, as well as background in Development and higher education and experience with Banner and Raiser’s Edge
- A track record of collaboration and establishing effective relationships with donors and campus partners
Salary Grade: 6
Completed COVID-19 Vaccine status required