Assistant Director, Donor Relations - University Advancement

Carnegie Mellon University • Pittsburgh, PA

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About The Position

University Advancement supports Carnegie Mellon University’s vision of having a transformative impact on society through continual innovation in education, research, creativity and entrepreneurship by championing its mission, building relationships with its various constituencies, and securing critical private philanthropic support. We are currently searching for an Assistant Director of Donor Relations to join our central advancement team. Reporting to the Senior Director of Donor Relations, this role is responsible for creating, managing, and executing meaningful programs that enhance the experience of Carnegie Mellon supporters and provide critical information about the impact of their gifts to the university. In collaboration with University Advancement colleagues, gift officers, college partners, and divisional and university leadership, this position will develop strategies for and manage the execution of a comprehensive, coordinated gift acknowledgment program which prioritizes the donor experience. Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work. You should demonstrate:

Requirements

• Exceptional writing and editing skills
• Excellent project management skills
• The ability to meet tight deadlines
• Strong ability to interact and collaborate effectively within the University Advancement division, as well as with other members of the campus community
• The ability to contribute in a high-performing team environment
• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in donor relations and/or development, preference for candidates with university experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, with emphasis on Word and Excel
• Understanding of best practices, strategies and metrics for donor relations and stewardship
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check
• Please include a cover letter and resume with your application.

Responsibilities

• Strategic management of gift acknowledgments by the university president and the vice president for University Advancement for individual and organization-based donors, including attention to special-case groups, and formulating and implementing steps that are efficient, standardized and automated, while providing the ability to customize where needed
• Building partnerships to coordinate and serving as an advisor (and in some cases, overseer) for other acknowledgments and gift-triggered communications handled by various units (e.g., college-based acknowledgements, first-time donor communications, tax receipts, donor-advised fund communications) for a seamless donor experience
• Ensuring that donors and gifts of all types and levels are comprehensively and appropriately acknowledged (e.g. annual gifts, baseline-level gifts, matching gifts, gifts through donor-advised funds and IRAs).
• Ensuring funds and gifts are properly recorded, including researching of newly booked gifts and pledges, and assisting where needed in fund setup, management and reporting; interacting with gift officers and gift administration colleagues to provide information or corrections and investigate issues with donor gifts.
• Partnering with members of the Donor Relations team as needed on key donor relations and stewardship projects and processes for annual endowment reporting, and impact reporting for scholarships, fellowships and professorships.
• Developing effective and coordinated donor communications in partnership with other members of the Donor Relations team, including those working with giving circles, endowment reports, impact reports, beneficiary updates, and pledge reminders.
• Staying apprised of donor relations and stewardship best practices and industry trends, as well as relevant data pertaining to donor behavior/preferences in general and at CMU.
• Identifying, proposing, and managing projects designed to improve processes and efficiency.
• Serve as liaison and resource to departments and colleagues both within and outside of University Advancement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
• Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
• For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees