Donor Relations Associate

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Retirement plan matching

Tuition assistance

Job summary

University of Missouri-Columbia is seeking a Donor Relations Associate to support donor engagement, stewardship, and office operations within the Office of Donor Relations. You will ensure accurate administration, timely communications, and exceptional donor service while coordinating logistics for stewardship events.

The role requires an Associate degree or equivalent experience, strong Microsoft Office skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail and a positive

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Excel, Word).
• Ability to manage multiple detailed tasks under deadlines with a positive attitude.
• Strong written and verbal communication and customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Greet and assist visitors at the front desk with a welcoming, professional demeanor.
• Coordinate front-desk activities and office coverage for calls and visitors.
• Execute donor relations processes: tribute notifications, Jefferson Club membership, pledge reminders, data entry, and communications.
• Assist donor inquiries related to portal access and gift receipts.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Organization

Task prioritization

Learning new technologies

Education

Associate degree or equivalent experience

Tools

CRM Advance

PeopleSoft

ClickUp

GiveCampus

Job description

Hiring Department

Advancement

Job Description

The Donor Relations Associate provides operational support for donor engagement, stewardship, recognition, and customer service activities within the Office of Donor Relations. This position serves as a key resource for executing donor-related programs and processes, ensuring accurate administration, timely communication, and exceptional service for donors, guests, and campus partners. Responsibilities include managing donor relations workflows, supporting office operations, providing front desk coverage, assisting with donor inquiries, and coordinating logistical support for stewardship initiatives and events. The Donor Relations Associate contributes to a positive donor experience by efficiently executing operational activities that support donor engagement with the University of Missouri.

Key Responsibilities

• Greet and welcome guests and visitors as soon as they arrive at the office, ensuring a positive and friendly experience.
• Coordinate front-desk activities and provide office coverage for phone calls and walk-in traffic.
• Execute key donor relations processes, including tribute notifications, Jefferson Club membership administration, and pledge reminder programs, ensuring accurate tracking, data entry, communications, and timely follow-through.
• Provide customer service support related to donor portal access, gift receipts, and other donor inquiries.
• Provide office support, including printing, mailing, data entry, and management of the Donor Relations resource inbox.
• Manage supply inventory for pre-printed materials, including letterhead, envelopes, labels, and postage.
• Provide executive support to the Executive Director of Donor Relations for Jefferson Club Trustee activity and communications.
• Provide logistical and operational assistance for donor stewardship events as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have exceptional attention to detail and strong organizational, interpersonal, and customer service skills. This position requires flexibility, professionalism, sound judgment, and the ability to consistently represent the Office of Advancement in a positive and donor-centered manner.

Shift

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. Additional evening and weekend work may be needed.

Minimum Qualifications

An Associate's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 1 year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including proficiency with Teams, Sharepoint, Outlook, Excel, Word, and mail merge.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple detailed tasks simultaneously and work under pressure to meet deadlines while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Demonstrated skills in organization, prioritization, attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, including writing, editing, and proofing.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently in a team environment.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and the ability to evaluate processes, identify efficiencies, prioritize competing demands, and adapt effectively to changing needs and priorities.
• Willingness and ability to learn technologies used by Mizzou Advancement including CRM Advance, PeopleSoft, ClickUp, and GiveCampus. Prior working knowledge of these programs is a plus.

Anticipated Hiring Range

Salary Range: $17.40 - $20.91 per hour

Grade: GGS 007

University Title: Advancement Associate I

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

Resume and Cover Letter

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Other Information

Our benefits:
As one of Missouri's largest employers, MU staff members enjoy exceptionally competitive health, PTO and retirement plans. A few highlights:

• Health Insurance -Three plans to choose from, including our Custom Network Plan; a cost-effective insurance option that utilizes our extensive network of MU-affiliated hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
• HSA - UM provides between $400 - $1200 in contributions to health savings accounts, depending on plans and dependents
• Dental - 100% coverage for preventative care, with no restrictions on network or non-network providers
• Vision - $0 copays on frames and contact lenses along with a $140 allowance, and a $10 copay on yearly eye exams.
• Retirement - UM will match 100% of up to 8% of eligible pay contributed to a 457(b), with a three-year vesting period on University contributions.
• Tuition Assistance - Up to 75% of tuition and supplemental fees waived for employees, and 50% waived for spouses and dependents
• Time Off - Personal time off (PTO) as well as 10 paid holidays.
• Winter Break - The university observes a paid holiday for the period between Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.