Director of Donor Relations

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University • Daytona Beach, FL

1d

About The Position

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the global leader in aerospace and aviation education, setting the standard for innovation, research and industry impact. Today, our future-focused mission extends far beyond the skies, advancing breakthroughs in AI, cybersecurity, uncrewed systems, space exploration and next-generation flight technologies. Founded in 1926 — just 22 years after the Wright brothers' first flight — we have leveraged almost a century of excellence to become the largest, most comprehensive institution of its kind. With a global network of 31,000+ students, residential campuses in Florida and Arizona, and a robust Worldwide & Online program, Embry-Riddle is shaping the workforce of the future. We are a top producer of pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, aviation professionals and emerging technology specialists—powering industries essential to transportation, defense, space missions and global security. As we prepare to celebrate our 100th anniversary and invite our community to invest in the inspirational future ahead of us, we’re looking for an innovative, mission-driven Director of Donor Relations to join us. There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of Embry-Riddle.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of professional advancement experience with a minimum of three years of donor relations and stewardship experience.
• Exceptional storytelling, messaging and communication (written and oral) skills
• Knowledge of best practices in gift agreements, endowment reporting and impact reporting
• Outstanding attention to detail; initiative to prevent and correct errors
• Strong research, analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to simultaneously advocate for donors, support gift officers, and prioritize university priorities, policies and procedures.
• Proficiency with fundraising software and donor management systems; knowledge of Salesforce a plus
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, professionalism, knowledge of business social etiquette and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to be flexible, work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects, prioritize in a high volume of work in a fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, administrators, development officers and students
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team simultaneously
• Availability to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed

Nice To Haves

• Experience in higher education and working across colleges, units, departments and working groups
• Event and project management experience
• Prior CRM, survey tool, and design software experience

Responsibilities

• High-impact Donor Acknowledgement
• Convey gratitude and strengthen donor connection through management of the university’s donor acknowledgement program
• Ensure thoughtful, effective and strategic gift acknowledgement by crafting on-brand messaging for receipts, digital acknowledgements and thank you letters.
• Collaborate with Records and Gifts Management, Communications and other teams within the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement units to ensure timely and thoughtful delivery of receipts, emails, letters and other acknowledgement materials to 4,500+ donors each year.
• Collaborate with the Annual Fund team to support the acknowledgement of targeted campaigns such as Day of Giving, Giving Tuesday, and Eagles Athletics Week.
• Write personalized and custom acknowledgment letters to select donors.
• Stewardship and Impact Reporting
• Boost donor satisfaction, retention and affinity through stewardship efforts that convey the utilization and impact of donors’ gifts
• Ensure clear documentation, implementation and utilization of donor gifts by actively participating in the gift agreement process; leverage best practices and expertise to be a resource to gift officers, advocate for donors and good partner to other university units.
• Inspire donors by leveraging excellent storytelling and content creation to communicate the impact of their generosity on students, faculty, the university and society.
• Develop stewardship materials for individual gifts and high-impact university funds (may include print reports, stewardship emails, ThankView messages, etc.).
• Collaborate with gift officers and campus partners to ensure effective design and delivery.
• Collaborate with the Director of Stewardship to support fund stewardship efforts that include scholarship recipient announcements, endowed/current-use fund reports, scholarship recipient thank you notes, and other reporting.
• Manage ongoing stewardship for targeted campaigns such as Day of Giving, Giving Tuesday, and Eagles Athletics.
• Recognition and Engagement
• Celebrate Embry-Riddle’s donors and their impact through effective recognition strategies; build stronger donor relations through support of events and activities that actively engage donors.
• Manage the establishment and maintenance of a complete inventory of donor recognition naming opportunities and relevant documentation.
• Support donor recognition societies and efforts such as the Legacy Society, Philanthropy Societies, etc.
• Participate in the planning and execution of donor engagement events, supporting events on-site as required.
• Manage donor engagement event data and coordinate post-event communications.
• Donor-focused Operations
• Facilitate best-in-class donor relations by participating in operations that prioritize donor satisfaction and provide gift officers with the support necessary to meet and exceed donor expectations.
• Oversee monthly pledge reminders and assist gift officers with follow-up
• Manage inventory of donor relations collateral; participate in the development and procurement of new materials.
• Assist donors, support gift officers and troubleshoot donor issues to provide quick resolutions

Benefits

• Health Benefits: Experience comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with wellness programs that include preventive care and fitness memberships. Our flexible spending and health savings accounts simplify managing healthcare costs. Join a workplace that prioritizes your health—because your journey to wellness should be rewarding!
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes an annual 6% gift of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution, with no vesting period.
• Generous Time Off: Generous Time Off: Relax with 18 days of personal leave in your first year. Enjoy 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees