Assistant Director of Donor Relations

UVA External Relations; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

UVA External Relations is seeking an Assistant Director of Donor Relations in Charlottesville to design and implement donor recognition programs, coordinate engagements, and partner across UVA's central advancement, schools, and programs to deepen donor impact.

This role oversees donor communications, signature events, and data-informed stewardship, delivering personalized experiences for leadership donors while supporting institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least one year of relevant experience.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor communications for different audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities independently, meet deadlines, and seek direction when appropriate.
• A customer service mindset and commitment to creating thoughtful, positive experiences for donors and other audiences.
• Ability and willingness to learn and effectively use new technologies, systems, and processes.
• Ability to identify and contribute to improvements in programs, workflows, processes, and constituent experiences.
• Experience in donor relations, fundraising, stewardship, event management, higher education, nonprofit organizations, communications, hospitality, customer engagement, or a related field is valued.

Responsibilities

• Develop donor recognition strategies in partnership with colleagues across the University.
• Monitor giving activity to identify eligible donors and manage recognition communications and stewardship touchpoints.
• Curate personalized stewardship and engagement opportunities for principal and leadership-level donors.
• Manage personalized and large-scale donor communications across multiple channels.
• Collaborate with vendors to source, produce, and deliver recognition items and manage inventory.
• Maintain accurate donor, communication, and project records in CRM and PM systems.
• Coordinate donor events and engagement experiences, including plans, budgets, and invites.
• Coordinate data requests to support invitation, registration, and attendance processes.
• Build cross-functional relationships and contribute to a collaborative team culture.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Project management

Organizational skills

Customer service mindset

Technology adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM systems

Tableau

Salesforce Marketing Cloud

Monday.com

Microsoft tools

Job description

The University of Virginia’s External Relations team is seeking a collaborative, creative, and highly organized professional to serve as Assistant Director of Donor Relations.

In this role, you’ll help create meaningful experiences that recognize the generosity of UVA donors and strengthen their connection to one of the nation's premier public universities. From personalized donor engagement strategies to signature events and strategic communications programs, your work will directly contribute to inspiring philanthropy and advancing UVA's mission.

The Assistant Director independently manages projects from concept through implementation and evaluation, coordinating timelines, data, vendors, and deliverables across multiple teams. In partnership with colleagues throughout the University, this position also curates personalized stewardship and engagement opportunities for principal and leadership-level donors, aligning those experiences with donor interests and institutional priorities.

Why Join UVA External Relations?

• Create meaningful donor experiences that strengthen relationships and demonstrate philanthropic impact.
• Collaborate with talented professionals across UVA’s central advancement organization, 12 schools, and more than 25 University-related programs.
• Develop experience in donor stewardship, project management, communications, event planning, and data-informed engagement.
• Contribute ideas that improve programs, processes, technology, and the overall donor experience.
• Build a rewarding career at a mission-driven institution that supports professional growth, collaboration, and lifelong learning.

Key Responsibilities

Donor Recognition and Stewardship

• Develop and implement donor recognition strategies in partnership with colleagues across the University.
• Monitor giving activity to identify eligible donors and manage recognition communications and stewardship touchpoints.
• Curate personalized stewardship and engagement opportunities for principal and leadership-level donors, ensuring a high-quality, donor-centered experience aligned with institutional priorities.
• Manage personalized and large-scale donor communications across multiple channels, including email, video, print, and digital engagement.
• Collaborate with vendors to source, produce, and deliver recognition items, ensuring quality, timely fulfillment, brand alignment, and accurate inventory management.
• Maintain accurate donor, communication, and project records in customer relationship management and project management systems.

Signature Events And Engagement Experiences

• With support from the Director of Donor Relations, coordinate donor events and engagement experiences in partnership with Event Experiences and other University colleagues.
• Manage event plans, timelines, budgets, invitation lists, communications, and related deliverables.
• Coordinate data and information requests to support accurate invitation, registration, and attendance processes.
• Partner with designers, digital engagement colleagues, and other contributors to develop invitations, promotional materials, attendee communications, and event collateral.
• Support donor outreach, registration, staffing, volunteer coordination, and day-of-event execution.

Program and Project Management

• Independently manage assigned programs and projects from planning through implementation and evaluation.
• Coordinate timelines, deliverables, communications, and responsibilities across teams, vendors, and University partners.
• Use participation and engagement data, reports, dashboards, and project updates to evaluate effectiveness, inform decisions, and identify trends and opportunities.
• Recommend improvements to programs, processes, technology, workflows, and customer experiences, and assist with implementing approved enhancements.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships and contribute to a collaborative, service-oriented, and innovative team culture.
• Develop knowledge and expertise through collaboration with colleagues and subject‑matter experts across the University.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least one year of relevant experience.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to accuracy and quality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor communications for different audiences.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities independently, meet deadlines, and seek direction when appropriate.
• A customer service mindset and commitment to creating thoughtful, positive experiences for donors and other audiences.
• Ability and willingness to learn and effectively use new technologies, systems, and processes.
• Ability to identify and contribute to improvements in programs, workflows, processes, and constituent experiences.

Experience in donor relations, fundraising, stewardship, event management, higher education, nonprofit organizations, communications, hospitality, customer engagement, or a related field is valued. Candidates with relevant transferable skills are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in advancement.
• Experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, or a related nonprofit role.
• Experience coordinating events, recognition programs, communications, or constituent engagement initiatives.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, Tableau, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Monday.com, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft tools and applications.

Compensation And Work Environment

The anticipated hiring range is $60,000 to $65,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience. This is a benefited, exempt position based in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a hybrid work arrangement that combines in-person collaboration and remote flexibility.

Make an Impact at UVA

Every donor relationship is unique, and every gift helps shape UVA’s future. As Assistant Director of Donor Relations, you will create experiences that express gratitude, demonstrate impact, strengthen relationships, and encourage continued investment in the University.

About UVA And The Community

To learn more about UVA and in the Charlottesville area, visit UVA Life and Embark CVA.

Application Timeline

Application review will begin after September 22, 2026.

Additional Requirements

• Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
• This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.