Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Jackson State University • JSU Main Campus, MS

4d

About The Position

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Jackson State University Development Foundation, the Director leads the long- and short-term strategic planning and execution of donor relations and stewardship functions. These include gift acknowledgments, stewardship reporting, donor recognition programs and events, and related efforts. The Director also oversees strategic proposals and the development of the Donor Relations and Stewardship team.

The role provides strategic leadership within Institutional Advancement and across campus to improve processes and systems and create an effective experience for donors. The Director manages and develops staff, supports scholarship award processes, and works with university colleagues, the Foundation Board of Directors, and communications partners on donor stewardship strategies, materials, and events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least seven years of job-related experience in donor relations or related Advancement functions.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current donor relations and stewardship practices and software tools.
• Demonstrated experience creating and implementing high-level cultivation and stewardship strategies and meaningful donor experiences.
• Ability to handle multiple deadlines and adapt workload and priorities as needed.
• Ability to use discretion when working with confidential and sensitive data.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, analytical, and strategic decision-making skills.
• Customer-service-oriented approach and commitment to a collaborative, team-based approach.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
• Able to work beyond traditional work hours and on occasional holidays.
• Ability to travel as needed and adjust working hours to meet special tasks and event requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills, including donor-centric writing experience.
• At least five years of supervisory experience.
• Experience working on donor relations and stewardship teams, preferably in higher education.
• Experience successfully managing cross-functional initiatives.
• A record of success developing and managing stewardship relationships with major donors, prospects, or clients.
• Interest in and passion for the Jackson State University mission and values.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy in sensitive, high-level situations involving diverse personalities and respond adeptly to challenges.
• Ability to translate academic language for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Oversee donor recognition, gift acknowledgments, reporting, and stewardship for philanthropic gifts, with a focus on donor retention, engagement, and long-term philanthropic investment.
• Develop personalized stewardship strategies for the University’s most generous donors.
• Collaborate with Institutional Advancement colleagues to create and manage policies, standards, templates, processes, and protocols for acknowledgments, recognition, gift stewardship, stewardship reporting, and fund reporting.
• Expand and manage the acknowledgment process, ensuring gifts are thanked by appropriate individuals in a timely manner and recorded in the database.
• Partner with the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and University Communications on gift-recognition communications plans and the creation and distribution of stewardship materials.
• Establish and execute stewardship plans for recurring gift donors, new donors, unassigned donors, donors giving under $1,000, and lapsed donors.
• Oversee accurate and effective implementation of the scholarship award cycle, collaborating with enrollment and financial aid so students can apply for and receive Foundation scholarships.
• Work with university-wide colleagues and the Foundation Board of Directors to develop and manage stewardship programs and events for top donors and prospects ($100,000+).
• Assess and adjust stewardship strategies to exceed donor expectations.
• Manage and develop the team by providing communication, leadership, guidance, and resources; regularly evaluate staff performance and ensure appropriate support.
• Use fundraising software and communication tools to create personalized touchpoints for top-level prospects and major-gift donors.
• Provide strategic leadership within Institutional Advancement and across campus to develop and enhance processes and systems for an optimal donor experience.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

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