Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

calendar of strategic donor relations deliverables, communications, and engagement opportunities (including a future Campaign) that show appreciation for support and inspire donors to give at higher levels.

Essential Duties:

• Design and implement a comprehensive donor relations program, including;
• Define optimal donor journeys at established giving levels
• Create tools to facilitate meaningful and personalized donor experiences, including impact and stewardship reports, digital assets, etc.
• Implement a robust acknowledgment and stewardship program
• Develop targeted recognition opportunities for established donor levels
• Develop the voice for Florida Atlantic donor messaging, providing regular communication to the advancement team about University-wide milestones and happenings and ensuring the team receives updated presentation materials and email content
• Work collaboratively and effectively with Foundation leadership and advancement team members to create and implement individualized stewardship plans for major prospects; serve as a trusted advisor across the university programs to develop, manage and execute stewardship programs for donors
• Help train and educate Advancement and University staff on industry best practices in donor relations; work closely with staff across the University to instill and reinforce a culture of philanthropy
• Work collaboratively with the advancement communications team to develop corresponding materials; ensure all donor-facing materials align with overarching University communications and that materials complement and elevate donor stewardship
• Coordinate with the Director of Events and the Office of the President to ensure Foundation-wide event strategy aligns with the donor stewardship and communications calendars
• Expand and manage the acknowledgment process, ensuring gifts are thanked by the appropriate individual(s) in a timely manner and recorded in the database
• Continuously assess and adjust stewardship strategy as necessary to exceed donor expectations
• Manage and develop an effective team, providing effective communication, leadership by example, guidance and resources to staff; evaluate staff performance regularly and ensure staff team is appropriately and effectively supported
• Regularly report department performance, needs, and opportunities to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Operations with quarterly updates to the AVP Schools and Units, AVP Strategic Philanthropy, and as needed, the VP of Institutional Advancement.
• Get creative, design stewardship and communications strategies that excite and engage our community across Colleges and programs!

Successful Candidate Will Have the Following Characteristics:

• Collaborative, goal-oriented, strategic, and highly motivated working style.
• The ability to demonstrate leadership, take initiative, problem-solve, act independently and as a member of a team, successfully collaborate, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and prioritize.
• The ability to demonstrate strategic thinking, good judgment, maturity, and personal integrity.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and ability to craft compelling language to demonstrate program value and impact and to communicate and collaborate effectively with a diverse campus community including senior administrators, faculty, staff, and students, as well as donors, prospects, alumni, and community leaders.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to handle a broad range of high-level and sensitive situations with diverse personalities, and the ability to adeptly respond to challenges.
• Able to work beyond traditional work hours and on occasional holidays. Ability to travel as needed and adjust working hours to meet requirements of special tasks and events.
• Ability to translate academia-speak to diverse audiences.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in development, stewardship, events, and/or communications; experience directly supporting donor relations preferred
• Ability to implement fundraising best practices while adapting for the uniqueness of the donor or program; experience in complex, multi-faceted organizations preferred
• Regarded as a trusted expert internally in the field of donor relations and stewardship
• Demonstrated success in managing a team towards achieving organizational goals
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize responsibilities effectively
• Collaborative team-player willing to work across departments to achieve the best possible results

Proficiency in using standard computer applications, including word-processing, spreadsheet, CRM software, calendaring, email, and online applications, and a working knowledge of social media. Raiser's Edge experience is helpful.

Salary:

$100,000 - $120,000. Annually

Administrative, Managerial and Professional (AMP) FLSA Exempt

College or Department:

Division of Institutional Advancement

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

Monday – Friday. This position will require travel and/or work outside of standard business days and hours related to donor activities and engagement.

Application Instructions:

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a complete application at Florida Atlantic University’s career site by visiting https://www.fau.edu/jobs/