Director of Stewardship - (Hybrid)

University of California, Merced; California; On-site; USD 83,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Merced is seeking a Director of Stewardship to design, implement and manage a donor-centered stewardship program. You will promote donor interaction, strengthen cross-departmental care, and support fundraising goals through policy leadership and tool development.

The role leads reporting and communications on donor impact, collaborates with External Relations and Philanthropy teams, and drives engagement across levels of giving.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area from an accredited institution.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, marketing, communication, external relations or directly related experience.
• Valid CA Driver's License (required).
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, meet deadlines with minimal supervision, and proactively keep all collaborators informed of progress.
• Excellent writing, copy editing, and proofreading skills; ability to synthesize information and present clearly.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a strategic donor engagement plan to recognize and retain donors at all giving levels.
• Oversees impact reporting and donor communications, reporting on gift usage and ensuring donor intent compliance.
• Partners with leadership to integrate stewardship into fundraising strategies and establish tracking, metrics and reporting processes.
• Responds to donor inquiries and supports university donor-related events and activities, including nights and weekends.

Skills

Organizational skills

Writing and editing

Project management

Communication skills

Active listening

Analytical skills

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

Hiring Range The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $82,600 - $90,000.

Job Closing Date

This position is expected to work in-office (at Downtown Campus Center), 3 - 4 days per week.

This posting will remain open until filled. Initial Applicant Review will take place on or around October 5, 2026.

This position requires a valid Driver's License under SB1100.

This position is represented by Teamsters Clerical and Allied Services Unit (CX).

About UC Merced

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

About The Job

The Director of Stewardship is responsible for the design, implementation and management of a comprehensive and donor-centered stewardship program that appropriately and consistently promotes interaction with and recognition of donors at all levels. The stewardship program is expected to foster positive and mutually rewarding relations between the University and its donors, which will increase donor retention and encourage donors to upgrade to higher giving levels. In partnership with External Relation's executive management, the Director will provide leadership in establishing fundraising policies related to stewardship initiatives, creating a library of stewardship tools, determining effective donor stewardship strategies, and developing a system for tracking and reporting stewardship activities. The Director will also advance the University's efforts to maintain and strengthen high-quality relationships with donors by ensuring they receive a consistent level of care across all departments and giving levels, and by facilitating the cross-departmental communication and collaboration necessary to effectively ensure those levels of care.

Key Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a strategic donor engagement plan to recognize and retain donors at all giving levels. This includes personalized stewardship for major, endowed, and planned giving donors, ensuring alignment with fundraising priorities and institutional goals.
• Oversees impact reporting and donor communications by managing the creation of compelling reports, acknowledgments, and other materials that highlight the impact of philanthropy. Collaborates with university staff and faculty to report on gift usage, ensure compliance with donor intent, track fund utilization, and coordinate with departments to demonstrate impact through reports and personalized outreach. Maintains consistency in messaging and branding while creating meaningful touchpoints that strengthen donor relationships.
• Partners with leadership and members of the Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships team to integrate stewardship into fundraising strategies. Establishes and manages tracking, metrics and reporting processes for stewardship initiatives to assess program effectiveness.
• Responds to donor and other external constituent inquiries. Supports university donor related events and activities, which may include nights and weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area from an accredited institution; and
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, marketing, communication, external relations or directly related experience; and
• Valid CA Driver's License (required).
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, meet deadlines with minimal supervision, and proactively keep all collaborators informed of project progress.
• Excellent writing, copy editing, and proofreading skills; ability to synthesize information and compose clear and effective materials.
• Advanced knowledge of practices and procedures associated with building and maintaining effective working relationships with all levels of alumni, internal and external constituencies.
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including skill to produce information that is appropriately presented and effectively received by target constituencies.
• Active listening skills, including advanced critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Advanced project management skills, including skills to plan and implement successful stewardship and recognition society programs.
• Excellent analytical and information management skills, including the ability to conduct research in multiple databases and systems and manage information using Excel and other applications.
• Ability to listen and communicate clearly, concisely, and diplomatically with a range of audiences.
• Strong customer service focus; excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to listen and respond with diplomacy and tact.
• Demonstrated sound judgment in situations requiring independent decision-making and in handling confidential and sensitive material.
• Experience in a fundraising organization, ideally in development, communication or stewardship roles.
• Experience in higher education, particularly complex research institutions.

Background Check

Background check required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke And Tobacco Free Policy

The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify

All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/