Assistant Director, Donor Relations and Events

ROME GROUP; Missouri; On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Missouri-St. Louis seeks an Assistant Director, Donor Relations and Events to lead planning and execution of donor events and recognition programs, collaborating with leadership in the Division of Advancement.

The role emphasizes data-driven engagement, budgeting, vendor coordination, and mentoring Student Ambassadors to ensure accurate information and positive donor experiences across campus.

Responsibilities

• Manages and executes high-impact donor stewardship and recognition events and engagement touchpoints, including donor recognition societies and funded naming opportunities.
• Plans and executes strategic events to support the goals of the Division of Advancement, coordinating planning, scheduling, vendor relations, and on-site logistics.
• Maintains accurate data and records; completes pre- and post-event reporting in a timely and accurate manner.
• Partners with Advancement colleagues to develop data-driven lists and messaging for engagement.
• Implements donor acknowledgment and recognition processes with timely, high-quality communications.
• Develops and manages detailed project plans, timelines, and briefing materials for campus alignment.
• Manages budgets, assesses financial implications, and negotiates cost containment strategies and vendor relationships.
• Supports signature university events such as groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings, and other stewardship activities.
• Interacts professionally with internal and external constituents; serves as a collaborative team member and leads by example.
• Mentors Student Ambassadors on event administration/production tasks and donor relations.
• Partners with campus colleagues to enhance cross-functional advancement efforts.

Job description

Assistant Director, Donor Relations and Events

Job Description

Join a dynamic advancement team and play a key role in shaping meaningful donor experiences that elevate engagement and strengthen philanthropic impact at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for External and Donor Relations, this position is responsible for the organized and 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 for External & Donor Relations and colleagues, manages and executes high-impact donor stewardship and recognition events and engagement touchpoints, including donor recognition societies and funded naming opportunities.
• Manages the planning and execution of strategic events to support the goals and objectives of the University Division of Advancement, 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- and post-event reporting in a timely and accurate manner seeking opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Partners with Advancement colleagues to develop data-driven lists and messaging.
• Implements donor acknowledgment and recognition processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality stewardship communications.
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and briefing materials to ensure alignment across campus partners and leadership.
• Manages budget, assesses financial implications, and effectively negotiates cost containment strategies and vendor relationships as necessary.
• Supports University signature events such as groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings, and other stewardship engagement activities.
• Interacts professionally, exercising sound judgement with all internal and external constituents. Serves as an enthusiastic team member and leads by example.
• Mentors Student Ambassadors on event administrative/production tasks and constituent relations ensuring accuracy of information, and positive outcomes.
• Serves as an active and enthusiastic partner to all advancement functions and campus colleagues to