Director, Donor Relations

The Director, Donor Relations is a senior leader within the Donor Experience team, responsible for setting the vision and direction for a comprehensive, high-impact donor relations program that enhances engagement, deepens relationships, and reinforces Babson College’s culture of philanthropy. Specifically responsible for providing strategic leadership and hands-on execution in the development and implementation of donor stewardship, recognition, and reporting initiatives across all levels of giving; collaborating closely with Advancement leadership, frontline fundraisers, and key campus partners—including the Office of the President—to design and deliver meaningful, personalized, and timely communications and experiences that express gratitude, demonstrate impact, and inspire continued investment in the College; and playing a critical part in ensuring that Babson’s most generous donors are thoughtfully stewarded through custom engagement plans and high-touch interactions that reflect the College’s values and strategic priorities.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan inclusive of high-level projects and day-to-day needs, ensuring that donors are stewarded with excellence and recognized for their support of Babson. 
• Create and execute a holistic communications plan that effectively stewards, recognizes and cultivates donor relationships, including acknowledgements, reporting to donors, event invitations and follow ups, special occasions, etc.
• Develop impactful and creative financial reporting tools and reports that update donors on the status and impact of their funds, garnering confidence in their philanthropic support of the College. Manage the creation of endowed and current use impact reports to both highlight the outcomes of philanthropy and accuracy of financial data.
• Develop and implement an efficient daily acknowledgement process on behalf of the President and Executive Vice President for Advancement to recognize leadership gifts; analyze the timeliness and effectiveness and make recommendation to leadership; manage all correspondence and acknowledgements of gifts, recognition of achievements, special occasions, etc.; and manage and oversee shadow writing for the President and Senior Vice President for Advancement.
• Conceptualize all appropriate donor recognition and assist with strategy for special donor and friend virtual and in-person events and ensure that high-level donors have positive experiences when attending Babson events.
• Conceive and implement new and creative ways of stewarding donors, including use of digital platforms.
• Oversee the creation of the annual Report on Philanthropy and Honor Roll.
• Create and maintain a current inventory of available naming opportunities on campus as well as ensuring that all current donor named facilities, spaces, roads, etc. are appropriately and consistently recognized. 
• Manage all recognition activities related to the Circle of Distinction in recognition of the College’s largest benefactors and the Presidents Society annual leadership giving society.  Work with other department colleagues to steward other donors and volunteers as necessary.
• Assist with fundraising proposals, gift opportunity descriptions, concept papers, reports, and other material for individuals, corporations, and foundations to solicit significant gifts in support of the College’s fundraising goals and priorities.
• Assume additional responsibilities as required.

YOUR TEAM WILL INCLUDE

Stewardship Specialist

Senior Advancement Communications Officer

WHAT EDUCATION AND SKILLS YOU WILL NEED

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.

Must have a minimum of 10+ years of experience in donor or client relations related field with experience and background in stewardship, donor relations or communications; a minimum of 5+ years demonstrated ability to manage high-performing team and a budget.

Must have strong written and verbal communications skills with the ability to write to demonstrate impact; proofreading and editing skills are critical.

Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, start-up culture with a positive attitude. Must be able to manage and juggle multiple changing priorities at any given time.

Demonstrated strength to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues within the department and across campus; and embrace excellence to work with a high achieving team.

Must be a combination of a strategic thinker with the ability to execute a myriad of daily and high-level projects. Must be able to anticipate daily needs, be flexible and to embrace change on a regular basis to m