Assistant Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations

Berklee College of Music • Boston, MA

57d • $70,000 - $82,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At Berklee, creativity, collaboration, and community are at the heart of everything we do. We empower artists to shape the future through music, arts, and innovation—and philanthropy plays a vital role in that mission. The Assistant Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations will help bring that vision to life by deepening engagement with our donors, developing meaningful stewardship experiences, and celebrating the impact of giving across the Berklee community. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a creative, mission-driven environment and loves connecting people through stories, gratitude, and shared purpose. The Role Reporting to the leader of the Stewardship & Donor Relations team within Institutional Advancement (IA), the Assistant Director serves as a key collaborator and storyteller. This person will: Collaborate across Berklee with colleagues in Institutional Advancement, the Office of the President, Finance, Student Financial Services, Student Enrollment and Engagement, Facilities, Academic Affairs, and faculty to ensure donors are thanked, informed, and connected to the impact of their generosity. Lead content creation for high-level stewardship pieces—writing compelling narratives that showcase how donor support transforms student experiences, programs, and the future of the arts. Manage customized stewardship plans for select major gift donors, aligning donor engagement strategies with institutional priorities and documenting progress in Raiser’s Edge. Create and deliver donor communications—from thank-you notes and digital updates to reports, event materials, and creative storytelling that highlight impact and gratitude. Support donor recognition initiatives including naming opportunities, giving societies, and special donor events that celebrate the Berklee community. Provide exceptional service to donors and partners across campus, maintaining professionalism, empathy, and discretion in every interaction.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, or related fields (education, arts, or non-profit experience preferred).
• A proven track record in strategic stewardship programming and donor engagement.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for senior leadership and diverse audiences.
• Project management expertise, from concept through completion, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Comfort with relational databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred), Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and creative tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.
• A passion for collaboration, innovation, and making donor engagement more inclusive and meaningful.
• Emotional intelligence and cultural competence, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging in all aspects of the work.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate across Berklee with colleagues in Institutional Advancement, the Office of the President, Finance, Student Financial Services, Student Enrollment and Engagement, Facilities, Academic Affairs, and faculty to ensure donors are thanked, informed, and connected to the impact of their generosity.
• Lead content creation for high-level stewardship pieces—writing compelling narratives that showcase how donor support transforms student experiences, programs, and the future of the arts.
• Manage customized stewardship plans for select major gift donors, aligning donor engagement strategies with institutional priorities and documenting progress in Raiser’s Edge.
• Create and deliver donor communications—from thank-you notes and digital updates to reports, event materials, and creative storytelling that highlight impact and gratitude.
• Support donor recognition initiatives including naming opportunities, giving societies, and special donor events that celebrate the Berklee community.
• Provide exceptional service to donors and partners across campus, maintaining professionalism, empathy, and discretion in every interaction.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees