Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations

Posting Title

Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations

Overview

The Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations serves as a strategic leader in the University Advancement division, charged with creating, executing, and evaluating a comprehensive and donor-centric stewardship program.

This individual will oversee donor engagement strategies designed to express gratitude, demonstrate impact, and deepen philanthropic relationships. In collaboration with senior leadership, academic units, and advancement officers, the Director ensures the highest standards in donor recognition events and activities, gift acknowledgment, and endowed reporting, all in support of the University's mission and advancement priorities.

 

The projected salary range for this position, which represents the full range of anticipated compensation, is: $95,000 - $120,000.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of a comprehensive annual stewardship and donor engagement strategy across all levels of giving.

Serve as a strategic partner and manage a stewardship portfolio of top donors, partnering with advancement officers and university leaders to provide personalized information and high-impact stewardship experiences.

Oversee the production and quality of presidential and executive-level gift acknowledgments and donor communications.

Conceptualize and execute donor recognition and stewardship events, reports, and branded materials, ensuring alignment with campaign and institutional priorities.

Develop, document, and maintain clear policies, procedures, and best practices for donor relations and stewardship, ensuring institutional compliance and consistency.

Collaborate with Financial Aid, Budget, and Academic units to ensure accurate scholarship award processes, donor intent fulfillment, and timely reporting.

Create and implement a framework to measure the effectiveness of stewardship.

programs, including data tracking, reporting, and impact metrics.

Supervise professional and administrative staff within the Stewardship and Donor Relations team, including hiring, goal-setting, performance evaluations, and professional development.

Serve as a key advisor to Advancement leadership, contributing to campaign planning, donor strategy, and university-wide philanthropic initiatives.

Supports the Division of University Advancement in achieving its strategic and fundraising goals, as well as Campaign goals, through positive and productive interaction and collaboration with all departmental staff, University liaisons, and external constituents.

Qualifications

Educational Requirement: Bachelor's

 

Required:

• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive experience in donor relations, advancement, or stewardship within a complex nonprofit or higher education environment.
• Proven leadership in developing and managing strategic donor stewardship programs, including personalized recognition, impact reporting, and donor events.
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience with demonstrated success in building, mentoring, and leading high-performing teams.
• Experience managing relationships with high-level donors, trustees, and institutional leaders.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets and working within fundraising databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Millennium).
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills; adept at crafting persuasive and personalized donor communications.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail and adherence to deadlines.

Preferred:

• Direct involvement in capital campaigns, gift agreements, endowment reporting, or board engagement.
• Background in higher education fundraising and familiarity with academic structures and scholarship administration.
• Experience incorporating metrics and data analytics into stewardship strategy.