Assistant Director of Donor Relations for Engagement

University of North Carolina Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina Charlotte seeks an Assistant Director of Donor Relations for Engagement to coordinate recognition, engagement, and retention programs that support the University's fundraising efforts. This role provides strategic guidance to fundraising staff and creative consultation on donor stewardship.

Responsibilities include personalized visits, milestone recognitions, reports across channels, and collaboration with leadership and campus partners to strengthen donor

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 1 year related experience required.
• Experience writing for external audiences.
• Experience with donor recognition and stewardship programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of donor recognition and engagement programs.
• Direct customized stewardship experiences for major donors.
• Manage donor communications across print, digital, video, and personalized channels.
• Lead engagement efforts for giving societies.
• Track and report donor engagement using data and metrics.
• Provide strategic guidance to development staff on engagement strategies.

Skills

Donor relations

Editing/writing

Salesforce Ascend

Microsoft Office

Strong writing

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Salesforce Ascend

Job description

Assistant Director of Donor Relations for Engagement

As part of the selection process, you may be asked to complete a professional writing exercise related to the position. Examples may include drafting a letter of thanks or acknowledgment, a scholarship or donor impact piece, a donor retention or outreach publication, or a section of an annual report.

• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
• Do not write 'see resume' on your application when completing the job duties section.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Position Information

Vacancy Open to: All Candidates

Employment Type: Permanent - Full-time

Hours per week: 40

Months per year: 12

Position Number: 000107

NC Salary Grade Equivalency: NC12

Classification Title: University Program Specialist - Journey

Working Title: Assistant Director of Donor Relations for Engagement

Salary Range: $52,721 - $72,491

Anticipate Hiring Range: $52,721 - $67,878

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Division: University Advancement

Department: University Advance Operations (Adm)

Work Unit: Donor Relations

Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours required, as necessary. One telework day per week may be available with supervisor approval after initial onboarding and training.

Primary Purpose of Position: The Assistant Director of Donor Relations for Engagement is responsible for managing and coordinating donor recognition, engagement, and retention programs that support the University's fundraising efforts, including high-level, customized stewardship for the University's most significant donors. The position provides creative consultation and strategic guidance to fundraising staff on donor engagement and stewardship strategies, informed by current research, trends, and best practices.

Minimum Education/Experience

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Note: Some state job postings state you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears above, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.

Essential Job Duties

• Lead the development and execution of donor recognition, engagement, and retention programs, including donor impact materials, stewardship communications, and strategic initiatives.
• Direct customized stewardship and engagement experiences for the University's most significant and prominent donors, including personalized visits, recognition opportunities, special presentations, and other strategic touchpoints.
• Manage donor communications and impact reporting across print, digital, video, and personalized channels to communicate the impact of philanthropy effectively.
• Lead engagement and outreach efforts for University giving societies, including welcome communications, ongoing stewardship, milestone recognition, and other initiatives designed to strengthen donor loyalty and retention.
• Track, analyze, and report on donor engagement and stewardship activities; use donor data, trends, and performance metrics to evaluate programs and inform strategic decision-making.
• Provide strategic consultation and guidance to development officers, University leadership, and campus partners on donor stewardship and engagement strategies and best practices.

Other Work Responsibilities

• Oversee the administration of plaques, signage, and other recognition for newly named campus spaces in accordance with University policies and donor recognition standards.
• Develop and maintain records of existing and available named spaces across campus to support donor recognition and stewardship activities.
• Support strategic events by assisting with donor invitation lists, donor data, and identification of appropriate prospects and giving society members.
• Research and prepare nominations for donor awards and other recognition opportunities.
• Assist with drafting and managing gift-related correspondence from the Chancellor and other University leadership.
• Serve on cross-functional teams, planning committees, and special projects supporting initiatives such as Niner Nation Gives, #GivingTuesday, Niner Nation Week, and other University Advancement priorities.

Departmental Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

• Professional experience in donor relations, advancement, development, or a related field, with demonstrated experience writing and editing communications for external audiences; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience using Salesforce Ascend or a similar constituent relationship management (CRM) or advancement database to manage donor and constituent information, track engagement, and maintain accurate records.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to tailor communications to a variety of audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and a demonstrated commitment to producing accurate, high-quality work.
• Experience working in higher education advancement, nonprofit development, or a related fundraising environment.

Necessary Licenses or Certifications

• None

Work Location

Foundation Building

Posting date

09/21/2026

Closing date

10/07/2026