Associate Director of Stewardship & Acknowledgements

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

2d • $75,000 - $80,000

About The Position

The Associate Director of Stewardship & Acknowledgements will support and assist execution of comprehensive campus-wide donor acknowledgement, recognition and reporting initiatives to strengthen donor engagement and philanthropic support to UF. Reporting to the Senior Director of Donor Engagement, the incumbent will lead efforts to provide financial data, donor data and donor research as needed for all members of the Donor Relations team with special emphasis on annual endowment and current use fund reporting initiatives.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of appropriate experience in donor relations or related field; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience in donor relations or related field.
• Proficient in the following areas: Windows operating systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, as well as internet browsers and email platforms.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years’ experience in a comprehensive stewardship/donor relations program in a large-scale university or one of similar complexity, with proven success.
• Experience in program development, fundraising, communications, marketing and public relations.
• Strong data management and assessment skills, including production of data-driven metrics.
• Prior experience in a college or university setting, enthusiasm for and the desire to work collegially within a goal-oriented fundraising organization.
• One to three years of professional experience; preferably in development and/or donor relations.
• Willingness and ability to collaborate internally with team members successfully.
• Sound organization skills with a focus on detail and fiscal oversight are imperative.
• Strong research skills and drive to solve problems.
• Prior event data management experience.
• Working knowledge of SalesForce and Conga strongly preferred.
• Willingness to dedicate time to research best practices in donor relations and consistently learn and share knowledge.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and the capacity to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of individuals are essential.
• Support the University’s commitment to creating a respectful and collaborative work environment that values integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect in all interactions.
• Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems is also highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy and execution of Annual Endowment Reporting process, including annual process development/improvement, overseeing research, collaborating with internal partners, and ensuring effective distribution, appropriate documenting practices and responding to donor or development officer inquiries.
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Donor Engagement, lead the transition to fully digital endowment reporting, laying the groundwork for future donor portal infrastructure.
• Conduct in-depth research for historical, biographical and current contact information for endowed, non-endowed, building, current use and deferred gift funds.
• Lead and strengthen partnerships between central Donor Relations and the colleges/units to ensure effective gathering of impact data, beneficiary testimonies, and fund utilization details.
• Serve as liaison with Finance & Accounting to gather and accurately report financial data.
• Oversee the assessment of tools and online platforms to improve efficiencies.
• Collaborate with members of the Business Process Management and Strategic Communications, Marketing & Engagement teams to create and manage endowment microsites for all endowment recipients.
• Lead and deliver trainings and resources for campus partners focused on fund impact reporting and endowment programing.
• Lead and ensure a consistent cycle of donor cultivation and recognition by driving prompt processing of data and research to aid development and sending of acknowledgment letters and impact reporting deliverables within Donor Relations.
• Ensure donors to the University are thanked appropriately, professionally, and accurately according to gift levels, donor history, and special circumstances through collaboration on all acknowledgement letters generated within Donor Relations.
• Oversee the President’s Council and UF Loyal new member research and processing to ensure accuracy and facilitation of welcome packets, appropriate database coding and membership list management.
• Partner with the Director of Donor Programs & Recognition, the Senior Director of Donor Engagement, and other colleagues in University Advancement to identify donor segments that are under-recognized and create strategic programs to enhance their donor experience with emphasis on program process and impact reporting.
• Provide strategic oversight, in partnership with Gifts & Records, of the Memorial and Tribute gifts and Donor Advised Fund notification processes.
• Oversee and execute the acknowledgment program for gifts that come to UFF through donor advised funds.
• In partnership with the Senior Director of Donor Engagement, implement a 5-day acknowledgment standard, with standard to be set, documented and tracked centrally through the CRM.
• Work closely with the Project Management Office and Business Intelligence teams as the CRM enhancements and integrations Subject Matter Expert for the Donor Relation team.
• Work closely with the Director of Donor Programs & Recognition and the Senior Director of Donor Engagement to create, enhance or align work processes for efficient workflow between Donor Relations and other teams.
• Strategically partner with the Annual Giving data team to assist all Donor Relations team members with technical or data-driven needs for donor impact reporting.
• Establish and lead a data-driven approach to measuring and communicating the impact of the Donor Relations team strategies and projects in support of organizational goals.
• Track donor relations activities within established database to enhance relationships and increase the likelihood of continued contributions.
• Responsible for devising and using consistent, accurate, and appropriate information-sharing mechanisms for stewarding prospects and donors.
• Lead regular brainstorming on innovative, unique and personalized stewardship communications and experiences.
• Research and communicate emerging trends and best practices in donor stewardship and reporting.
• Work closely with other senior leaders to ensure effective and streamlined processes across functions, linking database analytics, finance, gift processing, and donor management.
• Supervise the Assistant Director of Stewardship & Reporting, providing overall guidance, setting clear goals, and identifying key priorities and areas of focus.
• Align with Operations to represent the Donor Relations team through CRM enhancements and ensure team needs are addressed and met.
• Work closely with the Prospect Strategy & Research team to ensure donor records and data are pertinent and useful for Donor Relations purposes.
• Consult with and provide support for development officers in colleges and units related to establishing endowments or other named funds and to troubleshooting existing funds.
• Work with Advancement Services and Finance & Accounting to create (and make available through Advancement HUB) user-friendly guidelines and forms related to endowments and named funds.
• Seek to enhance current processes and implement new technology for added efficiency, improved donor experience, and benefit to unit partners; collaborate with Business Process Management department as needed.
• Represent our donors’ best interests by providing strategic input for process improvements through cross-team collaboration and workgroup participation.

Benefits

• Affordable State Health Plans: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Comprehensive Coverage: Life and Disability Insurance
• Secure Retirement Options: Generous plans to safeguard your future
• Paid Time Off: Including 11 paid holidays, as well as family, sick, and vacation leave
• Professional and Personal Growth: Opportunities through UF Training & organization development, leadership development, LinkedIn learning, and more
• Tuition Assistance: Benefit from the UF Employee Education Program
• PSLF Eligibility: We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level