Assistant Director, Donor Relations and Events

University of Missouri-Saint Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Missouri-St. Louis seeks an Assistant Director for External and Donor Relations to organize and execute donor events, stewardship activities, and donor recognition programs.

This role partners with campus colleagues to ensure timely, high-quality engagement across University-wide events. The incumbent will manage logistics, vendor relationships, and budget while mentoring Student Ambassadors and supporting signature events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience with at least 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience planning, coordinating, and executing donor events and stewardship activities.
• Ability to manage budgets, vendor relationships, and post-event follow-up.
• Strong written and verbal communication, and data-driven planning.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute donor events and stewardship experiences of varying size and scope.
• Coordinate logistics, scheduling, vendor management, pre-event communications, and post-event follow-up.
• Maintain data records and prepare pre/post-event reports.
• Develop data-driven lists and messaging with Advancement colleagues.
• Mentor Student Ambassadors and support campus partners.

Skills

Event management

Donor stewardship

CRM experience

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in events, hospitality, public relations, public administration, communications, or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Hiring Department

External and Donor Relations

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 foster strategic, effective, and collaborative efforts that are informed through research of best practices and constituent feedback.
• Works collaboratively across Advancement and campus partners to ensure coordination, alignment, and timely execution of priorities.
• Sets engagement goals and metrics, event-specific objectives and project plans, and uses judgement to ensure stakeholder expectations and outcomes are achieved.
• Coordinates resources and sets daily priorities to meet operational 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 comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred Bachelor's degree in events, hospitality, public relations, public administration, communications, or related field.
• 3-5 years of work experience to include events management and/or donor stewardship experience. Experience working in a CRM preferred.
• Working knowledge of development and engagement principles.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with CRM systems preferred.
• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• High level of customer service skills, including demonstrated ability to understand and address the unique needs of a wide variety 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 for periods 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 Human Resources at [e-mail].