Assistant Director, Donor Relations

CNE; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Virginia’s External Relations team is seeking an Assistant Director of Donor Relations to design and implement personalized donor recognition and engagement programs. You will coordinate signature events, manage multi-channel communications, and partner with vendors to deliver high-quality donor experiences that align with institutional priorities.

The role emphasizes project management, data-driven evaluation, and cross-functional collaboration across the university to inspire

Qualifications

• Experience in donor relations, fundraising, stewardship, event management, or related nonprofit field is valued.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to tailor communications for different audiences.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and collaborators with a customer-centered mindset.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement donor recognition strategies and stewardship touchpoints across channels.
• Coordinate donor events and engagement experiences with cross-functional teams.
• Manage programs and projects from planning through evaluation, using data to inform decisions and identify trends.
• Collaborate with colleagues and vendors to deliver high-quality donor experiences and timely fulfillment.

Skills

Donor relations

Project management

Event planning

Communication

Attention to detail

CRM systems experience

Tools

Tableau

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Monday.com

Job description

The University of Virginia’s External Relations team is seeking a collaborative, creative, and highly organized professional to serve as Assistant Director of Donor Relations.

In this role, you’ll help create meaningful experiences that recognize the generosity of UVA donors and strengthen their connection to one of the nation’s premier public universities. From personalized donor engagement strategies to signature events and strategic communications programs, your work will directly contribute to inspiring philanthropy and advancing UVA’s mission.

The Assistant Director independently manages projects from concept through implementation and evaluation, coordinating timelines, data, vendors, and deliverables across multiple teams. In partnership with colleagues throughout the University, this position also curates personalized stewardship and engagement opportunities for principal and leadership-level donors, aligning those experiences with donor interests and institutional priorities.

If you enjoy managing projects, creating memorable experiences, developing engaging communications, and working with passionate colleagues who are committed to making a difference, we encourage you to apply.

Job Duties

Key Responsibilities

Donor Recognition and Stewardship

• Develop and implement donor recognition strategies in partnership with colleagues across the University.
• Monitor giving activity to identify eligible donors and manage recognition communications and stewardship touchpoints.
• Curate personalized stewardship and engagement opportunities for principal and leadership-level donors, ensuring a high-quality, donor-centered experience aligned with institutional priorities.
• Manage personalized and large-scale donor communications across multiple channels, including email, video, print, and digital engagement.
• Collaborate with vendors to source, produce, and deliver recognition items, ensuring quality, timely fulfillment, brand alignment, and accurate inventory management.
• Maintain accurate donor, communication, and project records in customer relationship management and project management systems.

Signature Events and Engagement Experiences

• With support from the Director of Donor Relations, coordinate donor events and engagement experiences in partnership with Event Experiences and other University colleagues.
• Manage event plans, timelines, budgets, invitation lists, communications, and related deliverables.
• Coordinate data and information requests to support accurate invitation, registration, and attendance processes.
• Partner with designers, digital engagement colleagues, and other contributors to develop invitations, promotional materials, attendee communications, and event collateral.
• Support donor outreach, registration, staffing, volunteer coordination, and day-of-event execution.

Program and Project Management

• Independently manage assigned programs and projects from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, communications, and responsibilities across teams, vendors, and University partners.
• Use participation and engagement data, reports, dashboards, and project updates to evaluate effectiveness, inform decisions, and identify trends and opportunities.
• Recommend improvements to programs, processes, technology, workflows, and customer experiences, and assist with implementing approved enhancements.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and contribute to a collaborative, service-oriented, and innovative team culture.
• Develop knowledge and expertise through collaboration with colleagues and subject-matter experts across the University.

Skills Required

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• At least one year of relevant experience.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor communications for different audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities independently, meet deadlines, and seek direction when appropriate.
• A customer service mindset and commitment to creating thoughtful, positive experiences for donors and other audiences.
• Ability and willingness to learn and effectively use new technologies, systems, and processes.
• Ability to identify and contribute to improvements in programs, workflows, processes, and constituent experiences.
• Experience in donor relations, fundraising, stewardship, event management, higher education, nonprofit organizations, communications, hospitality, customer engagement, or a related field is valued. Candidates with relevant transferable skills are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in advancement.
• Experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, or a related nonprofit role.
• Experience coordinating events, recognition programs, communications, or constituent engagement initiatives.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, Tableau, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Monday.com, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft tools and applications.

Work Schedule

M-F; 8am to 5pm
Some evening and weekends may be required.
This role can be performed hybrid with frequent in office or on Grounds work required.

Additional Info

Application Timeline

Application review will begin after September 22, 2026.

Additional Requirements

Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.

This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

Reference Check Process

Reference checks will be completed by UVA’s third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.

Contact

For additional information about the position, please contact Sandi Hall, Senior Associate Director for Staff Success, at [e-mail] .

For questions about the application process, please contact Jon Freeman, HR Recruitment Specialist, at [e-mail] .