Associate Director of Donor Relations

OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Associate Director of Donor Relations

DIVISION: University Advancement

DEPARTMENT: Constituent Engagement

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU, Cat. 14

JOB CODE: DA8719

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

REPORTS TO: Director of Donor Relations

SUPERVISES: May supervise student workers.

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Associate Director of Donor Relations is responsible for developing and executing a range of stewardship activities to ensure that the University creates, nurtures, and sustains long-term personal relations with its donors, alumni, parents, and friends, inspiring further support for the University’s important programs and initiatives. Reporting to and working closely with the Director of Donor Relations, the Associate Director of Donor Relations maintains connections, strengthens relationships, inspires, and engages donors through strategic communications and multiple small and large-scale donor events throughout the year. The position will manage a portfolio of donors, travel on behalf of the University, and work closely with major, annual giving, and leadership annual giving officers to ensure appropriate and timely stewardship. This position’s activities contribute toward additional gift increases and improved retention rates. Exceptional communication and writing skills, attention to detail, and demonstrated experience analyzing and understanding donor records, development data, and stewardship trends are essential.

Examples Of Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Helps cultivate relationships with major prospects and donors by writing and sending custom letters, notes, and emails, including but not limited to gift acknowledgments, pledge payment reminders, and stewardship reports
• Customizes acknowledgment and stewardship letters that provide program details and information reinforcing the University’s case for support while offering compelling information about key programs and activities
• Creates segmented, generic impact letters for identified annual giving and major donors
• Through stewardship letters, illustrates the value of the University’s programs and reinforces the impact of a donor’s gift
• Creates and sends note cards and letters of thanks, sympathy, birthday wishes, births, anniversaries, etc. to donors and University constituents
• Works with the Advancement Services, Annual Giving, Development and Communications teams, as well as campus partners to obtain information about programs and services for custom acknowledgment letters, proposals and reports
• Pursues annual giving and major gift donor engagement experiences based on donor interests for those donors not involved in traditional committee structures, campus partner involvement, special briefings, and other curated activities
• Works with Development and Communications teams on strategies to capitalize on donor stewardship communications including donor recognition collateral
• Works in partnership with the Director of Donor Relations to create and implement recognition programs and giving societies
• Participates in regular brainstorming on innovative, unique, and personalized stewardship communications and experiences
• Works with Microsoft Office Suite
• Provides support to the Director of Donor Relations
• Executes stewardship events for donors, including managing internal and external logistics, briefings, event execution and follow through
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date donor contact and biographical information
• Participates in the development and documentation of best practices for further enhancement of the University's donor relations and stewardship programs
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Donor Relations
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree.
• Experience: Three (3) years of progressively responsible advancement experience.
• Other: Position requires off-campus travel. Flexible schedule to include evening and weekend hours.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Higher Education
• Must be willing to contribute actively to the mission of the University
• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree and 3 years of experience
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to work in a team setting
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
• Excellent customer services skills required
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Salesforce CRM
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to draft correspondence and create a narrative that includes impact and gratitude
• Proven track record for learning and mastering software tools needed for day-to-day work tasks
• Experience and demonstrated ability to coordinate and prioritize work flow processes including managing multiple tasks, setting schedules, meeting deadlines, organizing, and planning
• Comfortable working independently as well as collaborating as part of a team
• Experience planning, implementing and personally executing a variety of cultivation, thank you, and engagement events
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop excellent relationships with colleagues and campus partners
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced work environment and adapting to rapidly changing priorities and needs
  
  

SALARY: $63,389.00-$73,500.00**

UMass Dartmouth Offers Exciting Benefits Such As

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
• And More!
  
  

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, a current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal applicants is July 26, 2024.

The review of internal and external applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.