Assistant Director, Donor Relations

Gannon University

Erie (Erie County)

On-site

USD 55,000 - 75,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Gannon University in Erie, PA is seeking an Assistant Director for Donor Relations to strengthen stewardship and recognition programs. The role reports to the Director for Constituent Engagement and focuses on donor engagement and demonstrating philanthropy impact.

You will coordinate scholarship reporting, donor communications, and collaborate with Financial Aid, Finance, and other partners to present outcomes clearly for donors and leadership.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required.
Two or more years of related fundraising or alumni/donor relations experience preferred.
Proficiency with CRM solutions, Microsoft Office, Outlook, and event management software.
Strong interpersonal, organizational and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

Manage stewardship and engagement activities for donor giving societies, including communications, recognition, benefits and events.
Serve as liaison to Financial Aid for donor-funded scholarships and oversee related stewardship processes.
Produce annual endowment reports with finance and outcomes information for donors.
Develop donor impact reports for leadership and fundraising staff.
Coordinate donor recognition efforts across campus with Marketing & Communications.
Maintain donor relationships with high professional conduct to increase engagement.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Event management tools

Communications software

Job description

Posting Summary

Position Title

Posting Number

Posting Number AS1165P

Subdivision

Subdivision UA VP's Office

Division

Division University Advancement

Department

Department University Advancement

Location

Location Erie, Pa

Position Summary

The Assistant Director for Donor Relations at Gannon is a key member of the University Advancement team reporting to the Director for Constituent Engagement. The primary responsibility of this full-time role is to facilitate planned stewardship and recognition activities that strengthen relationships between the University and its donors. The position plays a central role in demonstrating the impact of philanthropy by connecting donors with students, programs, and outcomes made possible through their support. The Assistant Director is also reviewed on their ability to work effectively with members of a team and with colleagues and volunteers who support the work of Advancement.

Manage stewardship and engagement activities for donor giving societies, including communications, recognition, benefits, special engagement opportunities, and other strategies designed to strengthen donor relationships and encourage continued philanthropic involvement.
Serve as liaison to Financial Aid for donor-funded scholarships. Assist Financial Aid in coordinating annual scholarship awarding and oversee related stewardship processes. Maintain donor and scholarship information, address fund-related questions, and proofread all agreements.
Produce annual endowment report for scholarship and endowment donors. Collaborate within the division, with Finance, Financial Aid, and other partners to gather financial, recipient, programmatic, and impact information to present it in a clear and donor-centered format.
Develop and manage processes that connect scholarship recipients with donors through thank-you letters, videos, testimonials, personal stories, and other expressions of gratitude. Provide students with guidance and resources to help them effectively communicate the impact of donor support.
Develop customized donor impact and stewardship reports for university leadership, fundraising staff, and other colleagues. Gather stories, outcomes, financial information, photographs, testimonials, and related content that demonstrates the impact of significant philanthropic investments.
Coordinate donor recognition efforts across campus, including plaques, signage, donor walls, named spaces, and digital and giving society recognition. Work with Advancement, Marketing & Communications, and others to ensure recognition is accurate, consistent, timely, and aligned with institutional standards and donor agreements.
Maintain donor relationships in a way that requires the highest standards of professional conduct and respect to ensure increased philanthropic support and engagement.
Perform other duties as assigned within the scope, responsibility and requirements of the position and informed by Gannon’s Mission and shared values.

Required Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree is required.

Experience: Two or more years of related experience is required. Experience in fundraising and alumni/donor relations is preferred.

Interpersonal, organizational, technological, and excellent customer service skills are required. Proficiency with CRM solutions, Microsoft Office, Outlook, and event management and communications software are required. Additionally, the ability to partner as an excellent teammate with a sound work ethic and dedication to higher education and Gannon’s Mission is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in fundraising and alumni/donor relations is preferred.

Physical Demands

Must be able to meet the physical demands associated with the responsibilities of this position.

Exempt Status

Exempt Status Exempt

Position Classification

Position Classification Professional

Position Type

Position Type Staff

Employment Status

Employment Status Full-Time