Director Donor Relations

Weston&Sampson, Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition discount

Retirement plan

Job summary

Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI, seeks a senior Donor Relations professional to manage a comprehensive donor relations program that supports strategic goals and retention of donors. The role emphasizes coordinated stewardship across communication channels and events on the WMU campus.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree, two years of relevant experience, and strong donor relations skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Two years’ relevant experience.
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.
• Familiarity with databases.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in fundraising or constituent relations.
• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Develops a coordinated matrix of communication and stewardship strategies involving email, mail, phone, personal visits and volunteer engagement to steward donors at all levels.
• Creates innovative programs and projects to thank and steward donors and is responsible for gift acknowledgements.
• Directs the University’s donor recognition programs to strategically increase gifts and donor numbers.
• Collaborates with University leadership on individual donor stewardship plans, correspondence, and specialized reporting for major donors.
• Develops strategy for donor-related events and donor campus visits.
• Develops, monitors, and enforces adherence to policies related to development such as gift acceptance and recognition.
• Works with internal partners to monitor the use of gift funds.
• Tracks donor relations and stewardship activities in appropriate databases; responds to donor inquiries.
• Manages area budget.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Customer service

Donor relations experience

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

MS Office

Databases

Job description

Posting Summary

College

College VP University Advancement-DIV

Executive Area

Executive Area VP University Advancement

Department

Department University Advancement

Posting Number

Posting Number S1732P

Job Type

Job Type Full Time, Regular

Pay Type

Pay Grade

Pay Grade H

Campus Location

Campus Location WMU-Kalamazoo - East Campus

Salary Range

Salary Range Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

General Summary

Manages a comprehensive donor relations program to assist the department with meeting its strategic goals, with special attention towards strategies that retain donors.

Major Duties

• Develops a coordinated matrix of communication and stewardship strategies involving email, mail, phone, personal visits and volunteer engagement to steward donors at all levels.
• Creates innovative programs and projects to thank and steward donors and is responsible for gift acknowledgements.
• Directs the University’s donor recognition programs to strategically increase gifts and donor numbers.
• Collaborates with University leadership on individual donor stewardship plans, correspondence, and specialized reporting for major donors.
• Develops strategy for donor-related events and donor campus visits.
• Develops, monitors, and helps enforce adherence to policies related to development such as gift acceptance and recognition.
• Works with internal partners to effectively monitor the use of gift funds.
• Tracks donor relations and stewardship activities in appropriate databases. Responds in a timely manner to donor inquiries.
• Manages area budget.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution.
• Two years’ relevant experience.
• Proficiency in office software, including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.
• Familiarity with databases.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience providing a high level of customer service to internal and external constituents.
• Experience in fundraising or constituent relations.
• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

Desired Qualifications

Special Instructions to Applicants

• Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, go to:https://www.wmich.edu/hr/enrollment-staff

Physical requirements and working conditions

• Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.
• Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited institution?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have two years of relevant experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have proficiency with office software, including word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have familiarity with databases?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have experience providing a high level of customer service to internal and external constituents?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have experience in fundraising or constituent relations?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have the ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including evenings and weekends?
  • Yes
  • No

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of References

Optional Documents

• Other

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.