Associate Director, Gift Administration & Compliance

Lehigh University • Bethlehem, PA

38d • $55,200 - $67,180

About The Position

As Associate Director of Gift Administration and Compliance, you'll ensure the prudent acceptance and administration of philanthropic gifts while maintaining the highest standards of donor stewardship. Key responsibilities include preparing comprehensive gift agreements, managing scholarship stewardship initiatives, and overseeing capital recognition opportunities that honor our generous supporters. Position Number: S99070 This position is a Grade: 9 - 40 with an approximate salary range of $55,200 - $67,180 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Communications or Non-Profit Management
• Three to five years of related work experience
• Demonstrated experience with scholarship fund management, including auditing and compliance.
• Proven experience in managing donor recognition for capital projects, including naming opportunities and plaque inventory.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively.
• Proficiency in donor databases (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Salesforce CRM), Excel, and Google Suite, along with the ability to quickly master new applications.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work accurately with attention to detail, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of philanthropic best practices, IRS regulations related to charitable giving, and gift agreement principles.

Nice To Haves

• Fundraising or paralegal certification preferred

Responsibilities

• Maintain gift documentation templates and processes to track drafts through review to execution, and prepare reports on activity for leadership.
• Assist with formal and informal training for development colleagues regarding gift documentation, requirements, and considerations.
• Draft and review gift agreements, execute conforming agreements, present exceptions for review, coordinate feedback and revisions, and manage the signature and distribution process.
• Collaborate with Gift Processing and university financial managers and beneficiaries to ensure proper processing of gifts and establishment of funds.
• Assist with a full designation audit to review the accuracy of gift information and unreasonable gift restrictions.
• Work with appropriate stakeholders to identify unspent funds and next steps to facilitate spending in a timely manner and initiate stewardship.
• Serve as liaison to the Financial Aid Office and gift officers regarding scholarship recipients and award information.
• Conduct outreach and collaborate with financial managers to effectively collect and share pertinent information about the use of funds to steward donors.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of recognition standards and create naming/recognition agreements for significant philanthropic investments in facilities and infrastructure
• Maintain a robust and accurate inventory of all capital recognition opportunities, tracking progress and ensuring compliance with established naming conventions and donor preferences.
• Represent Donor Relations in discussions and working groups related to major capital campaigns and facility projects, advocating for effective donor recognition strategies.
• Manage monthly review of scheduled pledge reminders, obtaining feedback from gift officers, preparing personalized reminders as necessary, and coordinating the process with Gift Processing.
• Maintain working knowledge of necessary software and processes.
• Develop a network of peers at other institutions to gain insight and guidance on new and existing stewardship and donor relations best practices, particularly as they relate to scholarship and capital projects.
• Perform or assist with general stewardship processes, events, communications, and activities as requested.

Benefits

• Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website.

What This Job Offers

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