Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Jackson State University; Van Winkle (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Jackson State University Development Foundation is seeking a Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship. This role leads long-range and short-term planning for donor relations, acknowledgement processes, stewardship reporting, donor recognition programs, and related activities.

The Director will manage the team and collaborate with campus leaders on communications and events for top donors. Key responsibilities include expanding and managing acknowledgment processes, ensuring timely donor

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of seven (7) 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.

Responsibilities

• Oversee donor relations and stewardship functions including acknowledgement, reporting, donor recognition, and events.
• Develop strategies to strengthen retention, engagement, and long-term philanthropic investment.
• Collaborate to create and manage policies, standards, templates, and protocols for donor acknowledgement and recognition, stewardship reporting, and fund reporting.

Skills

Donor relations

Stewardship strategy

Operations management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Ellucian CRM Advance

ScholarshipUniverse

ThankView

Job description

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Jackson State University Development Foundation, 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. Additionally, the Director will oversee the strategic proposal and development of the Donor Relations and Stewardship team.

Oversee all aspects of donor recognition, acknowledgment, reporting, and stewardship of all philanthropic gifts. The Director will be focused on activities that strengthen retention, engagement, and long-term philanthropic investment, including personalized stewardship strategies for the University’s most generous donors.

In collaboration with Institutional Advancement colleagues, create and manage policies, standards, templates, processes, and protocols for donor acknowledgement and recognition, stewardship of gifts, stewardship reporting, and fund reporting.

Expand and manage the acknowledgment process, ensuring gifts are thanked by the appropriate individual(s) in a timely manner and recorded in the database.

Together with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and the University Communications office, 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 lapsed donors.

Oversee the effective and accurate implementation of the scholarship award cycle. Collaborating with enrollment and financial aid to ensure students can apply and receive Foundation scholarships.

In collaboration with university-wide colleagues and Foundation Board of Directors, conceive of and manage stewardship programs & events for top donors and prospects($100k+).

Continuously assess and adjust stewardship strategy as necessary to exceed donor expectations.

Manage and develop an effective team, providing effective communication, leadership by example, guidance and resources to staff; evaluate staff performance regularly and ensure staff team is appropriately and effectively supported.

Leverage fundraising software, such as Ellucian CRM Advance and ScholarshipUniverse, and communication tools, such as ThankView to craft unique and personalized touchpoints for top-level prospects/major gifts donors.

Provide strategic leadership within Institutional Advancement and across campus with a focus on developing and enhancing processes and systems to achieve optimal experience for all donors.

Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of job related experience in donor relations or related Advancementfunctions.
• 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.

REFERRED 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 Jackson State University mission and values.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to handle a broad range of high-level and sensitive situationswith diverse personalities, and the ability to adeptly respond to challenges.
• Able to work beyond traditional work hours and on occasional holidays. Ability to travel as needed and adjust working hours to meet requirements of special tasks and events.
• Ability to translate academia-speak to diverse audiences.

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.