Associate Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations

Position Title:

Associate Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations

Position Type:

Full time

Location:

301 Market Street (Post Office)

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary:

Are you passionate about helping donors feel connected to their impact? Are you looking for a collaborative team dynamic with the ability to share your creativity? As the Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations, you will have the opportunity to create meaningful ways to recognize, engage, thank and retain donors. As part of University Advancement, this position is integral to the success of the Stewardship and Donor Relations (S&DR) team which stewards, honors and recognizes the University's top donors, prospects, alumni, parents and friends. This role is highly collaborative and is primarily responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive donor recognition program for the University. This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt, benefits-eligible position based in Lewisburg, Pa. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement and reports to the Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations.

Job Duties:

The Associate Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations demonstrates high-level organizational and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality. The individual will exhibit confidence, composure and professionalism, building trust, cultivating positive relationships and successfully managing challenges with integrity and grace. This position will be responsible for: 

• Individual Donor Stewardship (20%):  In collaboration with Development Officers and University partners, develop and execute strategies to recognize and retain donors in meaningful ways that demonstrate the impact of their philanthropy in an appropriate, professional, timely and accurate manner according to gift levels, donor history and special circumstances.

• Giving Societies (30%):  Develop and execute recognition strategies and processes for giving societies. Evaluate effectiveness of programs, based on data, and refine as needed.  

• Philanthropic Naming (20%):  Manage donor recognition related to philanthropic naming of physical and non-physical spaces ensuring that recognition meets gift agreement and University requirements. Enhance and maintain an electronic system of available naming opportunities, policies and processes related to physical and non-physical spaces. Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as Athletics, Strategic Philanthropy and Facilities to coordinate and oversee the preparation of the physical space and to coordinate the logistics of proper installation.  

• Fund Reporting (20%):  Prepare annual endowment and scholarship impact reports for distribution in digital and print format.

• Naming and Stewardship Process and Policy (5%)  Develop and maintain process and policies related to philanthropic naming, recognition and stewardship and provide ongoing education and training to Advancement staff.  

• Technology (5%):  Maintain CRM and other software knowledge to promptly provide or update donor records and evaluate donor data.  Stay abreast of industry and technology trends and network with peers in order to make recommendations and enhancements for ongoing improvement

This position (and all positions in our division) requires the occasional evening and weekend work to support university events including Homecoming/Family Weekend, Reunion Weekend, and large Career events. We do ask staff to mark their calendars in advance for these events. This position may occasionally coordinate on-campus or off-campus events/activities outside of standard business hours.

We are looking for someone with:  

• Bachelor’s degree AND five years of experience in donor relations, non-profit fundraising, stewardship or high-level client/customer relations OR an equivalent combination of education, training or experience

• Demonstrates exceptional project management, organizational and data analysis  skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives concurrently in a fast-paced environment 

• Proactive approach to projects, problem-solving, communication needs and planning, including the ability to manage numerous competing priorities with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines

• Experience that demonstrates the ability and commitment to learn how to use a variety of computer-based programs and platforms to perform essential job duties such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, CRM database functions and other web-based tools

• Demonstrates ability to professionally represent Bucknell and communicate effectively with various diverse audiences including board members, donors,