Assistant Director of Donor Engagement

Northern Kentucky University; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Kentucky University is seeking an Assistant Director of Donor Engagement to design and coordinate donor experiences and demonstrate the impact of giving. This role is part of University Advancement, ensuring timely acknowledgments and ongoing donor engagement.

You will coordinate storytelling, donor/beneficiary connections, and events, maintain the donor database, and provide administrative support for donor visits and outreach.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 2 years of related work experience required.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Commitment to the mission and vision of Northern Kentucky University.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and donor management software (Raiser’s Edge) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and coordinate donor experiences and connections to the impact of their giving.
• Coordinate opportunities for donors to understand the impact of their giving through storytelling and events.
• Coordinate and execute the acknowledgment process for gifts, including routing, personalizing, and sending acknowledgments.
• Manage donor relations events throughout the year.
• Maintain NKU’s donor database and ensure touchpoints are captured accurately.
• Provide administrative support for donor visits and donor relations operations.
• Identify engagement opportunities within an assigned stewardship portfolio.

Skills

Attention to detail

Task management

Written & verbal communication

Creativity & problem-solving

Collaboration

Mission-driven

Ethical standards

Microsoft Office & Raiser's Edge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Job description

Position Title: Assistant Director of Donor Engagement

Position Type: Regular

About the Role

The Assistant Director of Donor Engagement contributes to NKU’s fundraising success by designing and coordinating donor experiences and connections to the impact of their giving. This position is an instrumental part of University Advancement, ensuring donors receive timely thank you messages and are regularly engaged.

Coordinate opportunities for donors to experience and understand the impact of their giving such as storytelling, donor/beneficiary connections, and other unique events, reports, and touchpoints that connect them to their philanthropy.

Coordinate and execute the acknowledgment process, including routing, personalizing, and sending acknowledgements to donors to properly and promptly thank them for their gifts, as well as regularly reviewing and refreshing acknowledgement content.

In collaboration with other areas of University Advancement, coordinate customized donor programs, including various giving societies, to ensure we recognize donors’ special moments, milestones, and behavior.

Manage various donor relations events throughout the year.

Maintain in-depth knowledge of university priorities, programs, and initiatives to identify ongoing engagement opportunities for donors and prospects, including those within an assigned stewardship portfolio.

Provide administrative support for donor visits and general donor relations operations, including packaging and mailing donor gifts, managing communications, and coordinating outreach.

Maintain NKU’s donor database related to donor relations, ensuring touchpoints and outreach are captured accurately and kept up-to-date.

Maintain a resource that identifies on-campus engagement and giving opportunities to share with donors and friends as well as University Advancement staff Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related work experience required.

Candidate must have:

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Creativity and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work collaboratively
• Commitment to the mission and vision of Northern Kentucky University
• High ethical standards
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and donor management software (Raiser’s Edge) preferred

Posted Salary:

Work Environment & Physical Demands: Some weekend/evening work is required

Why Work at Northern Kentucky University

At NKU, our work revolves around three things: opening doors, helping people finish what they start, and connecting learning to real life. Those pillars—Access, Completion, and Career & Community Engagement—aren’t just strategic-plan wallpaper. They shape how we hire, how we serve students, and how we show up for the region. If you want your work to matter—NKU is a place where you can see your impact every day.

Introduce yourself and we’ll get in touch if there’s a role that seems like a good match.

About NKU

Northern Kentucky University is a public, student-centered institution located just minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Our vision is clear: to be nationally recognized as a student-ready, regionally-engaged university that empowers diverse learners for economic and social mobility. We focus on opening doors, supporting students through graduation, and connecting learning to real opportunity in our region. NKU offers the reach of a comprehensive university with the feel of a close, collaborative campus.