Donor Associate – Donor Relations

Duquesne University•Pittsburgh, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Donor Associate develops and executes comprehensive stewardship and engagement strategies that strengthen relationships with Duquesne University’s donors. Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, this position manages donor engagement initiatives, stewardship communications, scholarship reporting processes, presidential engagement experiences, donor loyalty programs, and donor data projects that enhance the overall donor experience and support long-term philanthropic relationships.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
Understanding of donor relations, stewardship, and fundraising best practices.
Ability to develop and execute donor engagement strategies.
Experience managing multiple complex projects and timelines.
Strong relationship-building skills with donors and campus partners.
Ability to analyze donor engagement data and recommend improvements.
Experience with Advancement CRM systems and reporting tools.
High level of professionalism working with executive leadership and major donors.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.
Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution.
Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions.

Responsibilities

Manages and executes strategic donor engagement experiences, including presidential events, major donor gatherings, recognition opportunities, and stewardship initiatives. Partner with Advancement colleagues to coordinate invitation strategies, donor communications, event logistics, briefing materials, attendee tracking, post-event follow-up, and engagement outcomes. Ensure experiences reflect the University’s highest standards of donor appreciation and relationship building.
Leads coordination of the President’s Athletics Stewardship Program, including donor and prospect guest management, communications, ticket coordination, experience planning, and collaboration with gift officers to maximize engagement opportunities. Ensure seamless VIP experiences that support cultivation, stewardship, and philanthropic goals.
Oversees the strategy, execution, and ongoing growth of the University’s donor loyalty program, including donor segmentation, recognition tiers, stewardship experiences, communications, and engagement opportunities.
Collaborate with Annual Giving, Major Giving, Advancement Communications, and Advancement Services to create meaningful donor experiences that recognize lifetime commitment, strengthen donor retention, and build a pipeline for increased philanthropic support. Evaluate program effectiveness through engagement metrics, donor behavior, and industry best practices to continuously enhance the donor experience.
Manages scholarship reporting, student gratitude initiatives, and connect donors with the impact of their philanthropy.
Develops strategies to increase student participation, enhance donor communications, and strengthen connections between scholarship recipients and benefactors.
Supports donor relations technology, data integrity, and process improvement initiatives through management of donor records, stewardship tracking, reporting systems, and fund documentation.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and donor experience through Advancement systems and best practices.
Provide operational support for the Office of Donor Relations, ensuring professional communication, effective workflow management, and excellent service to donors and campus partners.
Performs other duties as assigned by the DDR.