Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Simmons University; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 79,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

Hybrid eligibility

Job summary

Simmons University in Boston’s Fenway area seeks a Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship to lead long-range planning for donor recognition, stewardship reporting, and events, and to oversee the Donor Relations and Stewardship team.

Reporting to the AVP of Advancement, the role partners with colleagues to craft policies, manage donor communications, and use Raiser's Edge/NXT and tools like ThankView/StoryRaise/Gratavid to personalize engagement for major gifts donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Ten years of donor relations or related Advancement experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of donor relations practices and software tools.
• Experience designing high-level cultivation and stewardship programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee donor recognition, acknowledgement, reporting, and stewardship of gifts to strengthen retention and long-term investment.
• Create and manage policies, standards, templates, and protocols for donor acknowledgement and stewardship.
• Collaborate on communications plans around gift recognition and stewardship materials.
• Develop stewardship plans for key donor groups and assist with stewardship events for top donors and prospects.
• Mentor staff and coordinate with Advancement Communications on donor communications.

Skills

Donor relations

Stewardship

Communication

Leadership

Fundraising software

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge/NXT

ThankView

StoryRaise

Gratavid

Job description

About SimmonsLocated in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston's only women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. Main Campus - Boston, MA R12108 About SimmonsLocated in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston's only women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. You're joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You'll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace. As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum. Job SummaryReporting to the Associate Vice President of Advancement, the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship ("Director") leads the development and execution of the long-range and short-term strategic planning for the donor relations and stewardship functions including the acknowledgement process, stewardship reporting, donor recognition programs and events, as well as additional related efforts. In addition, the Director will oversee the Donor Relations and Stewardship team. Essential Job Functions

• Oversee all aspects of donor recognition, acknowledgment, reporting, and stewardship of all philanthropic gifts designed to strengthen retention, engagement, and long-term philanthropic investment, including personalized stewardship strategies for the University's most generous donors.
• In collaboration with Advancement colleagues, create and manage policies, standards, templates, processes, and protocols for donor acknowledgement and recognition, stewardship of gifts, stewardship reporting, and fund reporting.
• Together with the Associate Vice President of Advancement and the Director of Advancement Communications, serve as a strategic partner on the execution of robust communications plans around gift recognition, and the drafting and dissemination of relevant, compelling stewardship materials.
• Establish and execute stewardship plans for key pipeline-building groups, such as recurring gift donors, new donors, unassigned donors, under $1,000 donors, and disillusioned lapsed donors
• In collaboration with university-wide colleagues, conceive of and manage stewardship events for top donors and prospects.
• Leverage fundraising software, such as Raiser's Edge/NXT, and communication tools, such as ThankView, StoryRaise, or Gratavid, to craft unique and personalized touchpoints for top-level prospects/major gifts donors.
• Provide strategic leadership within Advancement and across campus with a focus on developing and enhancing processes and systems to achieve optimal experience for all donors.
• Serve as a member of the Advancement Leadership Group and manage and mentor the Assistant Director of Donor Relations and student workers.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of job related experience in donor relations or related Advancement functions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current donor relations and stewardship practices and software tools.
• Demonstrated experience in creating and implementing high-level cultivation and stewardship strategies and meaningful donor experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills, with donor centric writing experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience in donor relations and stewardship teams, preferably in higher education sector.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing cross-functional initiatives.
• History of success developing and managing stewardship relationships with major donors, prospects, or clients.
• Interest and passion for the Simmons University mission and values.

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to handle multiple deadlines at one time.
• Ability to be flexible with workload and priorities, as needed.
• Ability to use discretion in working with confidential and sensitive data.
• Demonstrated problem solving, analytical, and strategic decision-making skills Customer service-oriented approach .
• Commitment to a collaborative, team-based approach.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• On-campus or Hybrid eligibility
• 12 months position
• 40 hours per week
• Office environment
• Essential physical requirements include sitting at desk, working on a laptop or computer
• Physical effort/lifting: sedentary - up to 10 pounds
• May be required to work on weekends or nights, as needed

In Accordance With Applicable Pay Transparency Laws Effective October 29, 2025, Simmons University Is Committed To Pay Equity, Transparency And Clear Communication Throughout The Hiring Process. The Hourly Or Annual Salary Range For This Position Is S10$78,900.00 - $130,600.00 This is a benefits-eligible position. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills, equity, and external market benchmarks that help guide compensation decisions. Our compensation philosophy is centered around a comprehensive package that includes pay, health benefits, and retirement savings offerings that can be seen here, as well as work-life balance initiatives such as flexible hours and remote work opportunities. We are committed to offering a package that empowers individuals to thrive in their roles, contribute meaningfully, and lead with confidence. Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum. Located in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons University is a small, private, non-sectarian College which has educated students for enriching careers and purposeful lives since 1899. Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals. We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example - sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.