Director of Stewardship

Husson University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Husson University seeks a Director of Donor Stewardship to lead its donor recognition and engagement programs. You will shape strategies for major gifts, scholarships, and endowment stewardship, coordinating with Advancement, Marketing, Finance, and academic partners.

The role requires strategic leadership to strengthen donor relationships, enhance retention, and drive philanthropic investment in Husson University while ensuring accurate records in Raiser's Edge.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership for Husson University's donor stewardship and recognition program, ensuring meaningful donor engagement across levels of philanthropy.
• Directs planning, production, and installation of major gift recognition pieces in accordance with donor agreements and university policies.
• Develops and oversees the naming opportunity program, maintaining current and future opportunities and maximizing philanthropic support.
• Oversees administration and stewardship of endowed funds, scholarships, and annual awards with collaboration across divisions.
• Develops stewardship standards and procedures to ensure timely recognition of gifts.
• Maintains stewardship data and Raiser's Edge records for accuracy and reporting.
• Plans donor recognition events with Alumni Relations and Events, including scholarship celebrations and ceremonies.
• Develops stewardship communications and reports showing impact of gifts to donors and university.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

Relational databases

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Job Information

Job Type Full-Time

Job Number 01031

Division Staff

Closing Date Continuous

Opening Date 09/01/2026

Academic Year Development Center (4411)

Location 1 College Circle, Bangor, ME

Department Development Center (4411)

Description

This position provides strategic leadership for Husson University's donor stewardship and recognition program, ensuring donors receivemeaningful, timely, and personalized recognition that reflects theimpact of their philanthropy. The Director develops and overseescomprehensive stewardship initiatives, including major giftrecognition, scholarship and endowment stewardship, donorcommunications, reporting, and recognition events. Workingcollaboratively with Advancement leadership, Marketing andCommunications, Finance, Student Financial Services, and academicpartners, the Director manages naming opportunities, recognitionprograms, stewardship reporting, and donor engagement strategieswhile ensuring accurate records are maintained in Raiser's Edge.The Director is responsible for developing innovative stewardshipinitiatives that strengthen donor relationships, increase donorretention, and support future philanthropic investment in HussonUniversity.

Example of Duties

• Provides strategic leadership for the University's donorstewardship and recognition program, ensuring consistent andmeaningful donor engagement across all levels of philanthropy.
• Directs the planning, production, and installation of majorgift recognition pieces in accordance with donor agreements andUniversity recognition policies, working closely with Advancementleadership, vendors, and campus partners.
• Develops and oversees the University's naming opportunityprogram, maintaining a comprehensive inventory of current andfuture naming opportunities and recommending strategies to maximizephilanthropic support.
• Oversees the administration and stewardship of endowed funds,scholarships, and annual awards, including coordination ofscholarship recipient information, donor stewardship, andcollaboration with Student Financial Services and academicdepartments.
• Develops and maintains stewardship standards and procedures toensure accurate and timely recognition of all philanthropicgifts.
• Provides oversight of the stewardship data and electronicrecords related to endowed funds, scholarships, namingopportunities, and donor recognition within Raiser's Edge, ensuringdata integrity and accurate reporting.
• Works with the Director of Alumni Relations and Events on theplanning 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 communicationplans, including annual endowment reports, donor impact reports,customized stewardship materials, and other communications thatdemonstrate the impact of philanthropic support.
• Works with the Director of Communication on the University'smajor gift announcement process, coordinating press releases, donorstories, photography, and marketing materials.
• Collaborates with Advancement staff to develop individualizedstewardship plans for principal and major gift donors.
• Provides leadership for donor recognition programs, includinggiving societies and other recognition initiatives designed tostrengthen donor engagement and retention.
• Oversees the creation, production, and distribution of donoracknowledgments, tribute communications, milestone recognitions,sympathy and appreciation correspondence, and other personalizedstewardship efforts.
• Develops and manages systems for collecting student thank-youletters, photographs, and video messages for scholarship donors andother benefactors.
• Collaborates with the Advancement Services team to producestewardship reports, campaign recognition materials, and otherspecial reports for donors, University leadership, and the Board ofTrustees.
• Maintains electronic and printed stewardship resources,including recognition standards, naming opportunity materials,facility renderings, and stewardship collateral for use byAdvancement staff.
• Monitors stewardship metrics and prepares reports evaluatingdonor engagement, recognition activities, and stewardship outcomesto inform future strategy.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25pounds.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

Qualifications

• 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

Supplemental Information

HUSSON UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITYEMPLOYER

**Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, andlocation.**

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package. Visitour website at Husson University for a complete list ofbenefits.

Address

1 College Circle
Bangor, Maine, 04401 1 College Circle, Bangor, ME,

Website

http://www.husson.edu

PI286856416