Stewardship Manager

Point Loma Nazarene University; San Diego, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Retirement matching

Paid holidays

Wellness program

Staff chapel

Job summary

Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego is seeking a Stewardship Manager to lead a comprehensive donor stewardship program. This full-time role focuses on donor communications, recognition, events, scholarship stewardship, and endowment reporting to deepen engagement with alumni, donors, and friends of the university.

Salary ranges between $27.32 and $30.74 per hour, with actual pay determined by experience and internal equity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Two to four years of event planning and program management experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience with a database or CRM preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows, and Google Workspace.
• Ability to travel and work evenings/weekends as needed.
• Christian commitment and active church involvement; background check required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve PLNU's stewardship program including communications and events.
• Manage giving society memberships and annual timelines.
• Plan donor appreciation events such as Homecoming and Christmas music.
• Develop stewardship calendars and donor communications.
• Coordinate scholarship and endowment stewardship activities.
• Collaborate with departments to honor donor intent.
• Supervise student workers in stewardship programs.
• Use data to measure effectiveness and drive improvement.

Skills

Event planning

Program management

Communication

Organization

CRM systems

Donor relations

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Google Workspace

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

• health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, competitive retirement matching, vacation and sick time, and 15 paid holidays per year.
• 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.

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.

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.

In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide quality educational and employment opportunities, PLNU actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education.

These documents are being displayed in accordance with US Department of Labor regulations and state regulations.

E-Verify Right To Work In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Act, PLNU's current annual crime statistics are available at : PLNU Annual Security Report.