Director of Donor Relations

JK Executive Strategies, LLC; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Director of Donor Relations to lead efforts in cultivating donor relationships and enhancing philanthropic partnerships. This pivotal role involves developing strategies to engage mid- to major-level donors and collaborating closely with key stakeholders. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, contributing to innovative social impact programs. If you are passionate about making a difference and possess strong communication and strategic thinking skills, this is the opportunity for you to drive meaningful change in the community.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in fundraising or related fields.
• Proven ability to build strong donor relationships and manage campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Lead donor relations efforts to enhance engagement and retention.
• Develop and implement strategies for mid- and major-donor segments.

Skills

Fundraising

Communication Skills

Strategic Thinking

Relationship Building

Data Analysis

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

6+ years of relevant experience

Tools

CRM Systems

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

Email Marketing Platforms

Job description

5 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

JK Executive Strategies, LLC provided pay range

This range is provided by JK Executive Strategies, LLC. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$80,000.00/yr - $95,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from JK Executive Strategies, LLC

*Director of Recruiting representing ethical companies in their quest for new talent*

Director of Donor Relations

JK Executive Strategies is proud to partner with a nonprofit in search of a Director of Donor Relations to join its team! In this pivotal role, you’ll lead efforts to deepen connections with corporate, vendor, and individual donors, playing a critical role in advancing the organization’s mission to build healthier communities and address the root causes of hunger.

This newly elevated position is ideal for a proactive, strategic thinker who excels at cultivating meaningful donor relationships and translating passion into philanthropic partnerships. With a portfolio focused on mid- to major-level donors, you’ll work closely with the VP of Development and other key stakeholders to grow the donor base, steward existing supporters, and help lead a culture of philanthropy across the organization.

If you thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your work directly supports innovative social impact programs—from food access to workforce development—we’d love to hear from you!

Responsibilities

• Supports donors in achieving their philanthropic goals through a relationship with the organization by:
• Contributing to the organization’s case for supporting and utilizing it to develop individualized donor strategies; responsible for annual donor cultivation and retention strategies aligned with budget goals and fundraising campaigns.
• Analyzing donor giving patterns to enhance retention, upgrade giving levels, and improve conversion rates; secures meaningful and major gifts through personalized engagement.
• Making direct, face-to-face solicitations and supporting board members and other staff in their fundraising efforts (e.g., providing strategy input, donor communications, and development resources).
• Implementing strategic plans for mid- and major-donor segments via direct marketing, in-person meetings, and phone outreach—in collaboration with the Vice President of Development and the Development & Marketing team; coordinates and tracks stewardship strategies for targeted donor groups.
• Acknowledging donor contributions through both public and private forms of recognition.
• Supervises the Annual Giving Coordinator.
• Represents the organization at speaking engagements and check presentations, as needed or requested.
• Collaborates with the team to design and elevate the donor experience at organizational events; works closely with the Events & Community Engagement Manager to develop and execute corporate sponsorship strategies and solicitations.
• Conducts tours of the organization’s facilities and engages donors in meaningful, mission-driven activities; ensures consistent follow-up to cultivate ongoing relationships.
• Works toward meeting weekly, monthly, and annual outreach, activity, and revenue goals as part of the development team; maintains detailed records of donor interactions and relevant information in the CRM system.
• Gains in-depth knowledge of the organization’s programs and initiatives in order to effectively articulate the mission and impact to donors, volunteers, and potential partners.
• Prepares reports and conducts data analysis to track progress toward fundraising goals; presents findings to leadership, the Board of Directors, and relevant committees.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Development & Community Engagement.

Requirements

• 6+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and professional fundraising experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proven interpersonal skills and the ability to build strong relationships.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail; demonstrates strategic thinking, creativity, and a forward-thinking mindset.
• Experience developing and executing proposals for annual campaigns, direct mail appeals, and donor communications; familiarity with CRM or donor management systems is a plus.
• A high level of discretion and a strong ethical approach to fundraising.
• Flexibility to attend occasional evening and weekend events.
• Fluency in English; Spanish language skills are a plus.
• Comfort with phone communication and the ability to respond to donor inquiries with confidence.
• Proficiency in Windows-based software and tools, including Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams), Google Suite, and email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact.
• Strong self-motivation, as well as the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills to manage schedules, work plans, and meet deadlines.
• A deep commitment to advancing the organization’s mission and embodying its core values: Compassion, Innovation, Collaboration, Agility, and Stewardship.

Salary Range

• $80-95k

JK Executive Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of JK Executive Strategies to provide equal opportunity in employment and conditions of employment to all individuals regardless of age, race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, veteran or military status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, familial status, prior arrest, domestic violence victim status, non-job related convictions, participation in lawful activities outside of our workplace, or any other status protected by law.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Customer Service, Strategy/Planning, and Other

• Industries

  Non-profit Organizations

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