Director of Stewardship

Husson-University; Bangor (ME); On-site; USD 65,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Husson University is seeking a Director of Donor Stewardship to provide strategic leadership for our donor recognition initiatives. You will oversee major gift recognition, scholarship and endowment stewardship, donor communications, reporting, and recognition events.

The role involves managing naming opportunities, stewardship reporting, and donor engagement strategies while ensuring accurate records in Raiser's Edge, strengthening donor relationships and retention across philanthropy levels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required; Master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience managing complex relational databases.
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with Blackbaud/Raiser's Edge is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the donor stewardship and recognition program across all levels of philanthropy.
• Direct planning, production, and installation of major gift recognition pieces in accordance with donor agreements and policies.
• Develop and oversee naming opportunities and an inventory strategy to maximize philanthropic support.
• Oversee endowed funds, scholarships, and annual awards stewardship in collaboration with Financial Services and academics.
• Maintain stewardship standards and timely recognition of all gifts; ensure data integrity in Raiser's Edge.
• Collaborate with Alumni Relations and Events for donor recognition and stewardship events.

Skills

Leadership

Donor stewardship

Data integrity

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Raiser's Edge

Blackbaud

Microsoft Excel

Job description

This position provides strategic leadership for Husson University's donor stewardship and recognition program, ensuring donors receive meaningful, timely, and personalized recognition that reflects the impact of their philanthropy. The Director develops and oversees comprehensive stewardship initiatives, including major gift recognition, scholarship and endowment stewardship, donor communications, reporting, and recognition events. Working collaboratively with Advancement leadership, Marketing and Communications, Finance, Student Financial Services, and academic partners, the Director manages naming opportunities, recognition programs, stewardship reporting, and donor engagement strategies while ensuring accurate records are maintained in Raiser's Edge. The Director is responsible for developing innovative stewardship initiatives that strengthen donor relationships, increase donor retention, and support future philanthropic investment in Husson University.

• Provides strategic leadership for the University's donor stewardship and recognition program, ensuring consistent and meaningful donor engagement across all levels of philanthropy.
• Directs the planning, production, and installation of major gift recognition pieces in accordance with donor agreements and University recognition policies, working closely with Advancement leadership, vendors, and campus partners.
• Develops and oversees the University's naming opportunity program, maintaining a comprehensive inventory of current and future naming opportunities and recommending strategies to maximize philanthropic support.
• Oversees the administration and stewardship of endowed funds, scholarships, and annual awards, including coordination of scholarship recipient information, donor stewardship, and collaboration with Student Financial Services and academic departments.
• Develops and maintains stewardship standards and procedures to ensure accurate and timely recognition of all philanthropic gifts.
• Provides oversight of the stewardship data and electronic records related to endowed funds, scholarships, naming opportunities, and donor recognition within Raiser's Edge, ensuring data integrity and accurate reporting.
• Works with the Director of Alumni Relations and Events on the planning and execution of donor recognition and stewardship events, including scholarship celebrations, donor appreciation events, dedication ceremonies, and other engagement opportunities.
• Develops and implements comprehensive stewardship communication plans, including annual endowment reports, donor impact reports, customized stewardship materials, and other communications that demonstrate the impact of philanthropic support.
• Works with the Director of Communication on the University's major gift announcement process, coordinating press releases, donor stories, photography, and marketing materials.
• Collaborates with Advancement staff to develop individualized stewardship plans for principal and major gift donors.
• Provides leadership for donor recognition programs, including giving societies and other recognition initiatives designed to strengthen donor engagement and retention.
• Oversees the creation, production, and distribution of donor acknowledgments, tribute communications, milestone recognitions, sympathy and appreciation correspondence, and other personalized stewardship efforts.
• Develops and manages systems for collecting student thank-you letters, photographs, and video messages for scholarship donors and other benefactors.
• Collaborates with the Advancement Services team to produce stewardship reports, campaign recognition materials, and other special reports for donors, University leadership, and the Board of Trustees.
• Maintains electronic and printed stewardship resources, including recognition standards, naming opportunity materials, facility renderings, and stewardship collateral for use by Advancement staff.
• Monitors stewardship metrics and prepares reports evaluating donor engagement, recognition activities, and stewardship outcomes to inform future strategy.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

• Bachelor's degree required. Master’s degree preferred
• Experience managing complex relational databases
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Experience with Blackbaud/Raisers Edge a plus

HUSSON UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.

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