Stewardship Manager

Point Loma Nazarene University; San Diego (CA); On-site; CAD 57,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Tuition benefits for employees and-dep

Retirement matching

Vacation and sick time

15 paid holidays

Job summary

Point Loma Nazarene University is seeking a Stewardship Manager to lead a comprehensive donor stewardship program and strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, and friends through communications, events, and endowment management.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, data-driven evaluation, and collaboration across departments to engage donors and enhance the university’s mission.

Qualifications

• Relationship-focused professional passionate about creating meaningful donor experiences.
• Strategic thinker who can evaluate programs, analyze data, and identify growth opportunities.
• Exceptional communicator with strong writing and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized project manager who can oversee multiple initiatives and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and continually improve PLNU’s stewardship program including donor communications, recognition, events, and endowment reporting.
• Evaluate giving societies and establish new Parent and Family giving level.
• Coordinate donor appreciation events and stewardship calendar.
• Develop strategic stewardship plans for major donors and support campaign efforts.

Skills

Relationship-building

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Data analysis

CRM experience

Event planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications or related field

Tools

CRM software

Google Workspace

Microsoft Excel

Job description

PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God’s kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally diverse candidates.

Benefits:

We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, competitive retirement matching, vacation and sick time, and 15 paid holidays per year. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including staff chapel and a robust wellness program.

Job Summary:

Join a mission-driven team at Point Loma Nazarene University as the Stewardship Manager. In this dynamic, full-time role, you will lead and enhance a comprehensive donor stewardship program that strengthens relationships with alumni, donors, and friends of the university through meaningful communications, recognition, events, scholarship stewardship, and endowment management. This position plays a vital role in advancing the university’s mission by ensuring donors experience exceptional engagement and appreciation throughout their philanthropic journey.

Salary:
Pay range $27.32 - $30.74
Actual salary offered is determined by the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and other factors, including internal equity and university funding resources.

Job Status:

Full time

Job Description:

What We’re Looking For

• A relationship-focused professional who is passionate about creating meaningful donor experiences

• A strategic thinker who can evaluate programs, analyze data, and identify opportunities for growth and innovation

• An exceptional communicator with strong writing and interpersonal skills

• A highly organized project manager who can oversee multiple initiatives and meet competing deadlines

• Someone who enjoys planning and executing memorable donor events and recognition programs

• A collaborative team player who works effectively across departments and with university leadership

• A detail-oriented professional who can manage stewardship timelines, donor communications, and reporting with accuracy

• An individual who is comfortable working with databases/CRMs and using data to inform decisions

• A service-minded professional who builds trusted relationships with donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and campus partners

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and continually improving PLNU’s stewardship program, including donor communications, recognition, events, scholarship stewardship, and endowment reporting

• Evaluating and enhancing giving societies, including Horizon Circle and Bresee Society, and establishing a new Parent and Family giving level.

• Managing giving society memberships, communications, benefits, and annual stewardship timelines

• Planning and coordinating donor appreciation events, including a Homecoming reception, a Christmas music event, and campus engagement opportunities

• Developing and maintaining a comprehensive stewardship calendar to ensure timely donor recognition and communications

• Coordinating stewardship initiatives such as Presidential communications, seasonal mailings, thank-you campaigns, and donor appreciation gifts

• Creating strategic stewardship plans for major and lifetime donors while supporting campaign and prospect management efforts

• Overseeing scholarship and endowment stewardship, including annual reports, donor communications, endowment agreements, and scholarship recognition activities

• Coordinating student thank-you letters, donor and student meet-and-greets, and scholarship workshops with campus partners

• Collaborating with academic departments, admissions, student financial services, and university leadership to ensure donor intent is honored and scholarship funds are managed appropriately

• Using data and program evaluation to measure stewardship effectiveness and drive continuous improvement

• Supervising student workers who assist with stewardship programs and events

• Performing additional duties as assigned in support of University Advancement initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Communications, Business, Public Relations, or similar) preferred

• Two to four years of event planning and program management experience

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple projects and meet deadlines

• Experience with a database or CRM preferred

• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows, and Google Workspace

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment

• Positive, friendly disposition with the ability to build effective relationships with donors, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and the public

• Ability to occasionally travel and work evenings and weekends as needed

• Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement. In addition, staff agree to live in agreement with Community Life Covenant.

• The job offer is contingent on the successful completion of a background check. PLNU will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local “Fair Chance” laws

Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily sedentary and may require sitting for extended periods of time

• Use of computer equipment, including keyboard, mouse, and monitor

• Ability to read documents, email, reports, and other correspondence on paper and a computer monitor

• Ability to communicate effectively with others in person and by phone

• Ability to stand, stoop, push, pull, and lift up to 30 pounds

At PLNU, we believe in pursuing calling together. Deep and meaningful relationships between students, faculty, and staff is vital in nurturing our shared community and expressing God’s love. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join us in empowering our students to reach their greatest personal, spiritual and professional potential.

Point Loma Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.