Donor Relations Specialist

Concordia College•Moorhead, MN

10d

About The Position

Join the team shaping the future of Concordia College! Concordia College invites a strategic, detail-oriented, and mission-driven professional to serve as the Donor Relations Specialist within the Office of Advancement, the office responsible for all Development work and Alumni Engagement. You will play a vital part in honoring the generosity of Concordia’s most significant donors by ensuring their gifts are stewarded with accuracy, depth, excellence, and heart. Working primarily behind the scenes, you will lead both the strategy and execution of high-touch stewardship efforts, equipping Major Gift Officers with clear and compelling materials that help individual donors clearly see the impact and legacy of their philanthropy and feel deeply connected to Concordia’s mission. You would get to spend your days ensuring gratitude is embedded in everything we do! The ideal candidate is likely a skilled project manager and impact-driven storyteller with an eye for the bigger strategic vision who thrives in a values-driven, collaborative, and joyful culture. This role is ripe for an individual with proven, transferrable skill sets from a variety of industries. As part of a high-performing Advancement team, under the leadership of a visionary, high-energy new president and new vice president for advancement, you’ll play a critical role in inspiring donors to help advance Concordia’s mission to influence the affairs of the world through our students and alumni. Why This Role Matters The Donor Relations Specialist ensures Concordia’s most significant gifts and donor commitments are honored and stewarded with excellence. By focusing on strategy, building repeatable processes, donor intent, and long-term trust, this role strengthens donor confidence, supports major gifts stewardship, and lays the groundwork for sustained philanthropic partnerships.

Requirements

Three-five years of related experience in fundraising, communications, and/or project management
Knowledge and appreciation of philanthropy
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint) and experience with customer relationship management (CRM), or database tools.
Commitment to Concordia’s mission, vision and liberal arts education
Exceptional communication (written, verbal, and interpersonal)
Project management skills
Reliable attention to detail, customer service, and confidentiality
Outstanding work organization, prioritization and time-management
Strategic, innovative, and adaptable planning and project leadership/development
Relationship and impact-oriented
Strong commitment to customer service
Self-motivated, results-oriented professional
Able to manage multiple priorities with composure, initiative, and a solutions/impact-oriented mindset

Nice To Haves

Donor Relations or Advancement Services – Experience stewarding major gifts, endowed or restricted funds, gift agreements, or fund reporting, with a strong appreciation for donor intent, accuracy, and long-term relationship-building.
Project Management or Strategic Operations – Background managing complex workflows, ensuring consistency across processes, and supporting cross-functional partners with high-quality materials, structure, timelines and guidance.
Communications, Marketing, or Storytelling – Experience developing impact-focused communications or relationship-centered content that helps audiences understand value, outcomes, and purpose.
Financial Services, Trusts, or Foundations – Experience with fund stewardship, reporting, donor or client intent, and long-term relationship management.
Mission-Driven Organizations – Work in higher education, nonprofit, or values-based environments where trust, stewardship, and accountability are essential.

Responsibilities

Lead High-Touch Stewardship Strategy and Implementation – Envision and coordinate a stewardship plan for Concordia’s most significant donors, ensuring donors are honored for their generosity and where their philanthropic impact is clearly communicated through meaningful touch points, reporting, and storytelling.
Serve as a Strategic Stewardship Partner - Create curated, personalized stewardship materials, equipping Development staff to demonstrate individual donor impact and foster strong relationships and long-term philanthropy.
Oversee Capital Project and Named Scholarship Recognition and Stewardship – Lead donor recognition efforts for capital building projects, including naming coordination, recognition planning, and follow-up acknowledgment aligned with donor agreements and institutional standards. Oversee the annual named scholarship thank-you process, ensuring donors see the tangible difference they make through their generosity.
Direct Gift Agreements and Acknowledgements – Oversee the full gift agreement process from initial drafting through execution, partnering with the donor, Development staff, and the Business Office to ensure donor intent is clearly aligned, approved, and reflected in documentation, reporting, fund management and stewardship. Transform traditionally transactional pieces into high-quality, impact-focused stewardship communications that reinforce trust, gratitude, and confidence in Concordia’s impact.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Flexible Spending Account
Vision Insurance
Dental Insurance
Preventative Chiropractic Program
Retirement Plan
Long-Term Disability Insurance (full-time only)
Life Insurance (full-time only)
13 Paid holidays including the time off between Christmas and New Year's
Paid parental leave
Up to 100% tuition with discounts and scholarships for yourself and dependents at Concordia College and Concordia Language Villages
Up to 50% tuition discount for dependents with Oak Grove Lutheran Schools
Up to 100% tuition discounts for dependents with participating partners: CIC-TEP, ELCA schools, and Tuition Exchange Inc.
Extras: access to athletic facilities, library, fitness classes, athletic events, theatre events, purchase dining on campus, free MATbus rides