Director, Donor Relations & Stewardship Job Description

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Director, Donor Relations & Stewardship

Emerson College - Dorchester Center, MA

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The Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship is responsible for establishing a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that appropriately and consistently promotes interaction with, and recognition of, donors at all levels. The Director is responsible for the development and implementation of integrated programs that strengthen Emerson College's relationship with donors and prospects through engagement, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. This individual is a relations leader with demonstrated expertise in a broad range of areas, including donor cultivation and recognition, fundraising and stewardship best practices, event planning, program building, strategic planning, gift administration and compliance, and project coordination. This position, an integral part of the College's advancement efforts, offers the opportunity to apply creative and critical thinking skills in a wide range of communications and stewardship projects that connect the College with its current and prospective supporters. In addition, the Director will oversee the Donor Relations and Stewardship team.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Oversee all aspects of recognition, reporting and stewardship of major gifts to ensure philanthropy is used according to the college's gift acceptance policy and the donor's wishes.
Proactively, and in close collaboration with gift officers, develop and implement personalized stewardship strategies for the college's most generous donors, including plans for reports and other engagement opportunities that are tailored to the interests of each donor
Recommend and facilitate publicity of major gifts and donors with Communications and Media Relations. Advise on and facilitate the recognition of donors in both print and web-based publications; Develop and assess new programs and publications to engage and recognize donors.
Plan and Implement a robust stewardship and recognition events program; Collaborate with colleagues to identify key partners to ensure the efficacy of stewardship events; Work collaboratively with Institutional Advancement staff to compile appropriate invitation lists, engage featured program participants, create programs and provide program materials, prepare program scripts and participant remarks (as needed) and create and/or obtain donor awards and recognitions.
In collaboration with Advancement and Finance colleagues, manage standards, templates, and protocols for fund reporting that provide current-use and endowed fund donors with timely, relevant reports demonstrating the impact and significance of their support in a meaningful and targeted way that will result in greater affinity for Emerson.
Develop and assess policies and procedures across the division and College that are essential for a comprehensive donor relations program.
Manage the strategy and production of the annual Impact Report to recognize and celebrate donors each fiscal year; compile donor and gift information, oversee production of the annual report, determine the report recipients, and facilitate the marketing and communications plan.
Leverage communication tools, including ThankView and reporting, to craft unique touchpoints for donors.
Manage all aspects of a highly functioning acknowledgement process that incorporates input from Vice President and President, gift officers and other Emerson College partners.
Manage information tracking processes regarding acknowledgement, recognition, on-going communications and continued cultivation of donors to enhance their relationship with Emerson College and increase the likelihood of continued contributions.

Responsible for consistent, accurate, and appropriate information-sharing mechanisms for stewarding prospects and donors.
Follow and promote the ethical guidelines set forth in the Association of Donor Relations for Advancement (ADRP), the Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP), the CASE Donor Bill of Rights, and the Council For Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Ethics Guidelines. Stay abreast of privacy issues as they relate to Donor Relations.
Continually explore opportunities to improve and enhance systems.

QUALIFICATIONS - Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform job.

Bachelor's degree required.
A minimum of six years of professional experience in Donor Relations is required; higher education experience is preferred. Candidates with fundraising, event management, and writing experience will be given strong preference. Education/experience equivalents considered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job.

Familiarity with the Association of Donor Relations for Advancement (ADRP), the Association of Advancement Services Professionals (AASP), the CASE Donor Bill of Rights, and the Council For Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Ethics Guidelines.
Experience in creating and implementing high-level cultivation and stewardship strategies and the ability to create meaningful donor experiences.
Understanding of philanthropy as it relates to higher education.
Ability to use discretion in working with confidential and sensitive data.
Strong interpersonal and written communications skills with demonstrated attention to detail and ability to relate to individuals at varying levels internally and externally.
Computer software skills, including Microsoft Office and knowledge of integrated client. database systems is preferred.
Well-developed customer-service orientation.
Ability to handle multiple deadlines at one time.
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
Experience with Blackbaud's Raiser's Edge a plus.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES - Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requires ability to lift and move objects that are light.
Requires ability to move materials occasionally.

WORK ENVIRONMENT - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

Usual Office Conditions.

Compensation for this position will be between $ 124,600 - $ 158,900 annually, commensurate with experience.

Grade of Position: 23-14E

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

Division of Institutional Advancement

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week.

Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits such as life and disability coverage as well as commuter offerings are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.