Manager, Donor Communications

Barnard College; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnard College seeks a Manager, Donor Communications to lead donor-centered messaging across the full giving cycle. Working with the Office of Advancement and the Advancement Communications Team, you will manage multi-channel campaigns and coordinate content from concept to delivery.

The role combines campaign production, stewardship communications, and operational oversight, with a hybrid schedule in New York and the chance to shape Barnard's fundraising storytelling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 1–3 years of experience in development or a related field.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Experience with relational fundraising databases; Salesforce knowledge a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on end-to-end fundraising campaigns for multichannel outreach.
• Administer and optimize fundraising web pages.
• Develop segmentation strategy and manage data requirements.
• Create fundraising content for Barnard Magazine.
• Coordinate donor and student impact stories for stewardship.
• Author personalized acknowledgments and stewardship communications.
• Plan and execute stewardship events.
• Manage Advancement Communications projects in Asana.
• Maintain external communications calendar.
• Enhance donor communication practices using data and CRM.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written communication

Attention to detail

Google tools

Microsoft Office

CRM capabilities

Team player

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Manager, Donor Communications

Working with colleagues across the Office of Advancement and the Advancement Communications Team, the Manager, Donor Communications is a detail-oriented, donor-centric communications specialist focusing on the full giving cycle experience of Barnard’s dedicated supporters to maximize philanthropic support and advance the mission of Barnard. Reporting to the Director of Advancement Communications, the Manager, Donor Communications plays a key role in facilitating the College’s fundraising efforts through a variety of managerial, organizational, and communications responsibilities.

Core Responsibilities

Fundraising Communications & Engagement Support (50%)

• Collaborate with the Director of Advancement Communications in the end-to-end production of multichannel fundraising campaigns, including producing content for email, direct mail, one-pagers, social media, digital aspects, and other communications pieces.
• Administer, develop content for, optimize, and maintain web pages and giving pages related to fundraising on the Advancement websites.
• Develop strategy around audience segmentation and manage data requirements to optimize fundraising efforts.
• Partner with the Director and the College’s editorial staff to strategize and create fundraising content and advertisements for Barnard Magazine.
• Collaborate with other departments and colleagues to collect donor and student impact stories for stewardship and giving appeals.

Donor Stewardship & Recognition (30%)

• Author personalized acknowledgment letters, congratulatory and condolence letters, and other bespoke items of correspondence on behalf of senior staff.
• Assist in planning and execution of stewardship events, including programming, speakers, marketing, outreach, and logistics such as invitations and seating.
• Coordinate student thank-you notes and stewardship communications.
• Assist with coordination and creation of stewardship communications, including donor newsletters and initiatives to complement annual giving campaigns.
• Produce high-level stewardship mailings each year, conceptualizing, sourcing materials, managing vendor relationships, publishing mailing lists, and maintaining project timelines.

Operations (20%)

• Manage and track Advancement Communications projects and approvals, entering all incoming requests into Asana.
• Manage the external communications calendar for the Office of Advancement, collecting information from team members and sending weekly updates.
• Continuously examine and enhance stewarding and donor communication practices using constituent data, feedback, and CRM capabilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong organizational skills, creativity, and resourcefulness, with the ability to prioritize and execute multiple projects under demanding deadlines.
• Top-quality written and oral communication skills, and analytical ability.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, including refined proofreading and editing skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills, particularly with Google tools and Microsoft Office, and relational databases.
• Ability to work independently and actively engage as a member of a team.
• Demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism and performance in teamwork, initiative, critical thinking, good judgment, consistency of output, and timeliness.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the values and mission of Barnard College and higher education.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles.
• Adhere strictly to rules regarding confidential information.
• Meet the department’s core values of collaboration, aspiration, transparency, respect, accountability, and trust, and support the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum 1 to 3 years of experience in development or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in Higher Education.
• Experience with relational fundraising databases; knowledge of Salesforce is a plus.
• Experience working with digital project management software.

Additional Information

This job is currently a hybrid position and requires a presence in the office at least three days per week, and up to five times during certain weeks to be present for team and full staff meetings, events, and other times as directed by the supervisor.

Salary Range: $73,000 - $78,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.

Company: Barnard College

Time Type: Full time