Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Experience (Annual Giving)

Rice University•Houston, TX

58d•Hybrid

About The Position

Stewardship and donor experience are key to fostering meaningful relationships between supporters and Rice University. Gratitude and clear communication of philanthropic impact help create a sense of belonging and partnership. By implementing a strategic plan, the team ensures stewardship efforts align with the diverse needs of donors, enhancing their connection to the university. Thoughtful recognition and personalized engagement make donors feel valued, inspiring continued support for Rice's mission. Reporting to the Director of Stewardship and Donor Experience (Annual Giving), the Associate Director of Stewardship and Donor Experience (Annual Giving) plays a vital role in advancing Rice's culture of philanthropy. The position delivers tailored stewardship for leadership donors and recognition society members, ensuring each supporter feels valued and connected. Working closely with campus partners, the Associate Director designs and executes targeted content via multifaceted campaigns that demonstrate impact, spark meaningful connections, and build lasting commitment. The ideal candidate is a relationship builder who combines organizational strength with a donor-centered mindset. They should have exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to deliver meaningful acknowledgments, articulate donor impact, and represent Rice University with confidence and professionalism. This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
2+ years of progressively responsible experience in donor relations, fundraising, alumni relations, or related fields
In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted
Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
Proven track record of building relationships and strategic partnerships
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
Advanced data analysis skills
Strong organizational and time management skills
Demonstrated self-starter who works independently while thriving in collaborative, team-oriented environments
Adept at problem-solving, creating contingency plans, and handling issues when necessary
Strong client service orientation and good judgment and diplomacy
Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
Experience creating and implementing external-facing strategies across multiple channels (e.g., print, digital, in-person, and video)
Ability to manage a large number of project activities simultaneously

Nice To Haves

3+ years of experience in development, donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, alumni relations, or related fields
Experience overseeing recognition societies or loyalty/leadership donor programs
Ability to think strategically, work collaboratively, prioritize, and create and follow processes
Experience using generative or predictive artificial intelligence to develop marketing or fundraising strategies
Personal initiative and curiosity to learn
Experience in frontline roles engaging donors, alumni, or external stakeholders
Demonstrated success in managing projects from conception through completion
Knowledge of emerging donor and stewardship practices and fundraising trends
Ability to collaborate with staff members, students, and campus partners in an organized way to carry out the multitude of background details needed for stewardship and donor experience initiatives
Ability to demonstrate good judgment in dynamic situations
Ability to analyze data and make data-driven decisions

Responsibilities

In partnership with the Director of Stewardship and Donor Experience (Annual Giving), manages a portfolio of leadership-level donors ($10,000-$99,999) to provide personalized stewardship, cultivate relationships, and inspire continued giving
Designs and leads signature stewardship campaigns that align with institutional priorities
Builds pipelines of student thank-a-thons, testimonial videos, or other campaigns that showcase donor impact
Serves as an annual giving stewardship expert and liaises with Alumni Relations and campus partners; ensures best and emerging practices are incorporated into stewardship and stakeholder engagement across campus areas
Represents the Annual Giving team externally at donor events, visits, and recognition activities, modeling donor-centered practices
Monitors, analyzes, and reports on stewardship activity and donor engagement data, using OwlConnect (Blackbaud CRM) and other systems to evaluate program effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and inform strategy
Stays current with industry trends in donor relations, stewardship, and annual giving, and recommends new approaches for implementation
Performs all other duties as assigned

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume