Associate Director, Stewardship

KU Endowment•Lawrence, KS

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Stewardship is responsible for the direction, organization, and implementation of a comprehensive donor stewardship program at KU Endowment, supporting both broad-based and individualized engagement strategies. This role leads the development and execution of donor-centered stewardship efforts designed to strengthen long-term relationships, enhance donor satisfaction, and support retention across the full donor lifecycle. This position works in close partnership with Donor Engagement Audience Directors, frontline development staff, Accounting, Brand Communications, and campus stakeholders to ensure a coordinated and cohesive approach to donor engagement. The Associate Director serves as a highly collaborative leader and central connector across teams, aligning stewardship strategies with donor intent, institutional priorities, and best practices to deliver meaningful and personalized donor experiences. The Associate Director supervises and mentors Donor Engagement Coordinators, providing guidance, oversight, and support to ensure the effective execution of stewardship initiatives. This role is expected to foster a collaborative, team-oriented environment and contribute to a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The individual in this position is expected to embrace KU Endowment’s stated core values – collaboration, curiosity, empowerment, and excellence – and demonstrate support for them through professional interactions and activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Strong strategic thinking and leadership skills, with the ability to develop and execute long-term stewardship plans.
Data-informed approach to decision-making, with experience in segmentation, analysis, and performance measurement.
Excellent collaboration and partnership skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and stakeholders.
Proven ability to manage complex projects and balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Innovative mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and modern engagement strategies.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify challenges and implement effective solutions.
High level of adaptability and resilience in a dynamic fundraising environment.
Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Commitment to a donor-centered approach and delivering high-quality engagement experiences.

Nice To Haves

Five to seven years of progressive experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, or a related field, preferably within higher education or a nonprofit environment.
Experience supervising or mentoring staff, with a commitment to fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), marketing or engagement platforms (e.g., Salesforce Marketing Cloud), and project management tools (e.g., Salesforce), preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive donor stewardship strategy that supports institutional fundraising priorities and enhances long-term donor engagement.
Lead the design and execution of enterprise-level and customized stewardship plans for major and principal gift donors.
Proactively partner with frontline development staff to co-create tailored stewardship strategies that reflect donor intent, impact, and relationship goals.
Oversee donor lifecycle management efforts, ensuring consistent, meaningful engagement from acknowledgment through long-term stewardship.
Utilize data analysis, segmentation, and reporting to inform strategy, measure effectiveness, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Evaluate and optimize stewardship portfolios to enhance donor satisfaction, retention, and overall engagement outcomes.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including communications, events, and analytics, to align messaging, programming, and donor experiences.
Serve as a strategic partner to major gift teams and campus stakeholders to ensure a cohesive, donor-centered approach.
Identify and implement innovative stewardship strategies, tools, and technologies to modernize engagement and improve efficiency.
Continuously assess workflows, processes, and programs to drive operational excellence and scalability.
Supervise and mentor stewardship staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
Provide strategic recommendations to leadership on stewardship opportunities, risks, and emerging trends.
Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position.
Performs other duties as may be assigned.