Assistant Director, Donor Relations and Events

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Missouri–St. Louis seeks an Assistant Director in External & Donor Relations to plan and execute donor events, stewardship experiences, and recognition activities.

You will lead logistics for engagements ranging from small programs to large university-wide events, reporting outcomes and coordinating across campus partners. You will mentor Student Ambassadors, manage budgets and timelines, and collaborate on data-driven messaging to advance philanthropic impact across the

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• 3-5 years of work experience in events management and/or donor stewardship preferred.
• Experience with CRM systems preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; CRM experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage donor events and engagement touchpoints, including recognition societies and naming opportunities.
• Plan and execute strategic events with vendor coordination, pre-event communications, on-site logistics and post-event follow-up.
• Maintain accurate data and records; complete pre- and post-event reporting.
• Develop data-driven lists and messaging with Advancement colleagues.
• Implement donor acknowledgment and recognition processes with timely stewardship communications.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and briefing materials for campus partners.
• Manage budget and vendor relationships; negotiate cost containment strategies.
• Support signature events such as groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings.
• Mentor Student Ambassadors and collaborate with campus partners to achieve objectives.
• Set engagement goals and metrics and ensure stakeholder expectations are met.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Independent worker

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Hiring Department

External and Donor Relations

Job Description

Join a dynamic advancement team and play a key role in shapingmeaningful donor experiences that elevate engagement and strengthenphilanthropic impact at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Externaland Donor Relations, this position is responsible for the organizedand creative planning, coordination, and execution of donor events, stewardship experiences, and donor acknowledgment activities.Housed in the University’s Division of Advancement, the Assistant Director will plan and execute the logistics for engagement events and experiences of varying sophistication, complexity, and scope.These activities range from small program-specific engagements to large-scale University-wide events.

Primary responsibilities include:

• In collaboration with the Assistant Vice Chancellor forExternal & Donor Relations and colleagues, manages and executeshigh-impact donor stewardship and recognition events and engagementtouchpoints, including donor recognition societies and fundednaming opportunities.
• Manages the planning and execution of strategic events tosupport the goals and objectives of the University Division ofAdvancement, including planning, scheduling, vendor coordination,pre-event communications, on-site logistics, program preparation,and post-event follow-up.
• Maintains accurate data and records; completes all pre- andpost-event reporting in a timely and accurate manner seekingopportunities for continuous improvement.
• Partners with Advancement colleagues to develop data-drivenlists and messaging.
• Implements donor acknowledgment and recognition processes,ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality stewardshipcommunications.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, andbriefing materials to ensure alignment across campus partners andleadership.
• Manages budget, assesses financial implications, andeffectively negotiates cost containment strategies and vendorrelationships as necessary.
• Supports University signature events such as groundbreakings,ribbon-cuttings, and other stewardship engagement activities.
• Interacts professionally, exercising sound judgement with allinternal and external constituents. Serves as an enthusiastic teammember and leads by example.
• Mentors Student Ambassadors on event administrative/productiontasks and constituent relations ensuring accuracy of information,and positive outcomes.
• Serves as an active and enthusiastic partner to all advancementfunctions and campus colleagues to foster strategic, effective, andcollaborative efforts that are informed through research of bestpractices and constituent feedback.
• Works collaboratively across Advancement and campus partners toensure coordination, alignment, and timely execution ofpriorities.
• Sets engagement goals and metrics, event-specific objectivesand project plans, and uses judgement to ensure stakeholderexpectations and outcomes are achieved.
• Coordinates resources and sets daily priorities to meetoperational objectives.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

Shift

40 hours/week to include some evening or weekend activity as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparableknowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Bachelor's degree in events, hospitality, publicrelations, public administration, communications, or relatedfield.
• 3-5 years of work experience to include events managementand/or donor stewardship experience. Experience working in a CRMpreferred.
• Working knowledge of development and engagementprinciples.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience withCRM systems preferred.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to managemultiple priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communicationskills.
• High level of customer service skills, including demonstratedability to understand and address the unique needs of a widevariety of audiences.
• Outstanding attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs. and occasionally work on feet forperiods of time.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $53,976.00-$69,576.00 annually
Grade: GGS-9E
University Title: Manager Event Services
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of HumanResources at [e-mail].