Senior Director, Donor Engagement

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Position Summary:

The Senior Director of Donor Engagement is a highly relational, executional focused role that ensures Vanderbilt University delivers fully on the intent, expectations, and outcomes associated with a select portfolio of transformative principal gifts. This role operates at the intersection of donor relations, project management, and internal coordination to provide a highly curated portfolio of donors with exceptional service, communications, engagement, and effective execution of donor’s gift intentions. 

This position serves as central point of coordination between the donors, development officers, and cross-university partners to ensure alignment, maximize experiential opportunities, and facilitate top-notch institutional execution of eight, and nine-figure gifts. 

As a high-level donor relations professional, this role will manage a portfolio of 3-6 complex, high-value gifts and donors secured within the past 1-2 years to meet expectations and drive outcomes. With a strong emphasis on service, this position facilitates success across all aspects of gift fulfillment—compliance, stewardship, reporting, and milestone delivery—executed with precision, transparency, and a high standard of care.  

About the Work Unit: 

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. Learn more about our department at https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions and Expected Performance: 

Gift & Portfolio Management

• Work in seamless partnership with primary and secondary development officers, development operations, development leadership, and gift administration to manage a portfolio 3-6 gifts in execution mode with select top donors

• Support strategy led by the lead development officer with an emphasis on collaboration, donor centricity, and executing the gift and advancing the donor’s relationship. 

• Translate gift agreements and custom relationship plans into actionable plans with timelines, milestones, and accountability measures

• Monitor internal and external factors for success to ensure on-time deliverables and outcomes and proactively address risks, delays, and any misalignment

• Maintain a forward-looking view for each gift and donor—identify timely and enterprising opportunities to not only meet but exceed expectations that deepen relationships and support future gift opportunities

Donor Engagement

• Collaborate across Donor Engagement and Communications and Development teams to deliver high-touch, personalized experiences

• Provide exceptional external customer service with the portfolio’s donors and constituents in partnership with development officers and other university staff

• Lead the development and delivery of customized impact reports and additional communications that clearly demonstrate progress and outcomes 

• Facilitate and gather storytelling and data collection related to the gift through collaboration across campus partners to craft innovative and compelling materials

Project Management, Coordination & Compliance 

• Act as a project manager across stakeholders including academic units, finance, advancement, and university leadership by facilitating regular check-ins, clearing roadblocks and resolving barriers

• Ensure all gifts are administered in accordance with donor intent, university policies, and legal requirements—and meeting donor expectations for communication and progress updates
• Partner with Gift Administration and operational teams to monitor fund usage and compliance; maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation related to gift agreements and reporting obligations