Assistant Director, Stewardship & Donor Experience

United States Golf Association; Bernards Township (NJ); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

Retirement plans with employer match

Generous paid time off and holiday PTO

Job summary

The United States Golf Association (USGA) seeks an Assistant Director, Stewardship & Donor Experience to design and execute a comprehensive donor engagement program that strengthens donor relationships and sustains philanthropic support for the USGA Foundation's mission to advance the game of golf.

The role leads stewardship strategy, events, and donor communications, partnering with Foundation leadership and the Prospect Research team to deliver personalized donor experiences and measurable

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in stewardship, events, donor relations, or related fields, preferably within a foundation, higher ed, or mission driven organization
• Demonstrated success designing donor stewardship strategies that support major gifts, endowments, and philanthropic initiatives
• Proven success delivering high-quality donor experiences with exceptional attention to detail and a focus on relationship building
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling, donor-centric communications and impact reports that effectively convey outcomes and inspire continued support
• Experience supporting fundraising efforts within an established philanthropic program is preferred
• An authentically mission-driven person, who aligns with our purpose to unify, showcase, govern, and advance the game of golf

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy & development of a comprehensive donor stewardship program, in partnership with the Foundation leadership, that meaningfully engages, recognizes and retains Foundation supporters.
• Lead the planning and preparation of a portfolio of high-impact donor events and experiences.
• Partner with Senior Director Capital Giving to align stewardship strategies with fundraising priorities, ensuring a seamless and high-quality donor experience.
• Oversee the development, production, and timely delivery of donor acknowledgment letters to ensure accurate, personalized, and meaningful donor recognition.
• Evaluate event effectiveness and continuously refine the Foundation's approach to donor experiences.
• Leverage internal relationships and resources to provide meaningful donor communications and experiences.
• Track and analyze donor engagement, stewardship activities, and retention metrics.
• Collaborate with the Prospect Research team to develop insightful donor profiles that support personalized stewardship strategies and strengthen donor engagement.

Job description

The USGA is a mission-based golf organization whose purpose is to unify the golf community through handicapping and grassroots programs; to showcase the game’s best talent through the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and 13 other national championships and our museum; to provide unbiased global governance with The R&A through the playing, equipment and Amateur Status rules; and to advance issues important to golf’s future, with a focus on driving sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. As a nonprofit association, our work and our team are driven to act for the good of the game. The USGA’s headquarters are located in Liberty Corner, NJ, with a recently opened campus in Pinehurst, NC. For more, visit usga.org.

About this role:

The Assistant Director, Stewardship & Donor Experience will oversee the design and execution of a comprehensive donor engagement and stewardship program that creates a meaningful experience, strengthens donor relationships, and inspires ongoing philanthropic support for our mission. This role will lead a comprehensive stewardship program featuring a portfolio of high-impact events and donor engagement opportunities designed to deepen donor relationships and strengthen connections to the USGA Foundation's mission to advance the game of golf. The Director will be responsible for creating high-quality, mission-driven experiences that inspire philanthropy, enhance donor engagement, and advance the Foundation's fundraising goals. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with a passion for delivering memorable experiences that deepen relationships and drive long-term impact.

What you'll do:

• Lead the strategy & development of a comprehensive donor stewardship program, in partnership with the with Foundation leadership, that meaningfully engages, recognizes and retains Foundation supporters.
• Lead the planning and preparation of a portfolio of high-impact donor events and experiences.
• Partner with Senior Director Capital Giving to align stewardship strategies with fundraising priorities, ensuring a seamless and high-quality donor experience.
• Oversee the development, production, and timely delivery of donor acknowledgment letters to ensure accurate, personalized, and meaningful donor recognition.
• Evaluate event effectiveness and continuously refine the Foundation's approach to donor experiences.
• Leverage internal relationships and resources to provide meaningful donor communications and experiences.
• Track and analyze donor engagement, stewardship activities, and retention metrics.
• Collaborate with the Prospect Research team to develop insightful donor profiles that support personalized stewardship strategies and strengthen donor engagement.

Where you'll be:

This role will be based at our Liberty Corner, NJ campus on a hybrid schedule. Employees are required to spend 3 days per week working in the office, between Monday - Thursday. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are mandatory in-office community days. Employees can choose between Monday or Thursday as their third in-office day.

What you bring:

• 7+ years of experience in stewardship, events, donor relations, or related fields, preferably within a foundation, higher ed, or mission driven organization
• Demonstrated success designingdonor stewardship strategies that support major gifts, endowments, and philanthropic initiatives
• Proven success delivering high-quality donor experiences with exceptional attention to detail and a focus on relationship building
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into compelling, donor-centric communications and impact reports that effectively convey outcomes and inspire continued support
• Experience supporting fundraising efforts within an established philanthropicprogramis preferred
• An authentically mission-driven person, who aligns with our purpose to unify, showcase, govern, and advance the game of golf

What the USGA brings:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, including a zero-contribution medical plan offered for all full-time employees
• Retirement plans, with a generous annual contribution from the USGA
• Suite of programs to promote physical, emotional, and financial well-being
• Generous bank of paid time off, plus the week between Christmas and New Years Day off
• Off-site team building events
• On-site gym and golf simulator
• Professional development opportunities
• Learn more about our benefits and culture here

Level: Assistant Director

Job Location: Liberty Corner, NJ

Salary Range: $115,000 - $130,000

The annual base salary range for this position is $115,000 - $130,000. This range represents what we reasonably expect to pay as starting base compensation for this role. Compensation is based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including skill set, depth of experience, and relevant certifications. In addition to your base compensation, the USGA provides competitive benefit offerings for all full-time employees.

The USGA is an equal opportunity employer. Our organization believes we are stronger by embracing our diverse backgrounds and perspectives, promoting equity so all teammates can excel and grow in their careers, and fostering experiences to drive inclusion in our workplace and game. Golf is a game for everyone, and you are always welcome.