Senior Director, Stewardship and Recognition

The Senior Director, Stewardship and Recognition is responsible for managing an enterprise team and providing operational oversight of stewardship and recognition activities across Mayo Clinic. The Senior Director, Stewardship and Recognition partners with the Executive Director, Stewardship and Recognition in setting in the team’s strategic objectives and is responsible for leading the team implementing the daily operational management for the enterprise-wide Stewardship and Recognition program. Demonstrates leadership skills, including team building, conflict resolution, negotiation and problem solving. Independently leads decision-making activities, within the scope of the Stewardship and Recognition program as well as assessing risks and challenges and taking action to accomplish program objectives. Continually evaluates work unit processes and procedures for effectiveness and efficiency and implements quality improvement efforts. The Senior Director, Stewardship and Recognition ensures that initiatives align with the institution and departmental mission, vision and objectives. Ensures team goals and program strategy are well-defined and metrics based. Develops and maintains relationships with Mayo Clinic executive leadership, fundraising professionals, subject matter experts and staff in adjacent departments, such as Communications, Executive Office, Facilities and Marketing. 

The Senior Director, Stewardship and Recognition maintains a portfolio of high-level custom stewardship and recognition activities. Promotes an enterprise and development perspective through service on committees and interdepartmental work groups.

Two positions are available, please indicate in your cover letter which role you are interested in being considered for:

 Senior Director of Stewardship and Recognition, Customized Stewardship

The Senior Director of Stewardship and Recognition, Customized Stewardship provides strategic leadership for Mayo Clinic’s highly personalized stewardship and recognition efforts in support of principal and transformational philanthropy. This role sets the vision and direction for customized stewardship and leads a team responsible for designing and executing tailored engagement strategies for the institution’s most significant benefactors. By positioning stewardship as a relationship-centered driver of cultivation, the Senior Director ensures experiences that demonstrate impact, build trust, and strengthen long-term partnerships aligned with fundraising priorities. This position also maintains a portfolio of top-tier benefactors.

 Senior Director of Stewardship and Recognition, Programmatic Stewardship

The Senior Director of Stewardship and Recognition, Programmatic Stewardship provides strategic leadership for scalable, enterprise-wide stewardship and recognition initiatives that engage broad and diverse segments of Mayo Clinic’s benefactor community. This role sets the strategic direction for programmatic stewardship and leads a team responsible for delivering technology-enabled, standardized, and data-driven engagement at scale. By aligning stewardship strategies with core giving opportunities and fundraising priorities, the Senior Director strengthens benefactor engagement across the giving pyramid and audiences while advancing Mayo Clinic’s philanthropic and institutional goals. This position also maintains a portfolio of benefactors.

Bachelor's degree required. Seven years of experience in donor relations, communications, creative media or marketing required. An understanding of the philanthropic process is desirable. Master's degree preferred. Must be capable of working collaboratively in a complex organization. The incumbent must be able to work effectively in a consensus-style operation that expects and promotes teamwork. Must have demonstrated competencies in leadership and project management. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Professional writing and/or creative design experience is preferred. Must be able to develop strategies for stewardship reports and recognition items. The incumbent must have strong analytical abilities to continuously improve program outcomes. Must be able to represent Mayo Clinic professionally in working with high-level gift prospects and benefactors and maintain a high degree of confidentiality. 

Why Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is top-ranked in more specialties than any other care provider according to U.S. News & World Report. As we work together to put the needs of the patient first, we are also dedicated to our employees, investing in competitive compensation and comprehensive benefit plans – to take care of you and your family, now and in the future. And with continuing education and advancement opportunities at every turn, you can