Executive Director, Communications, Donor Relations, and Events

Brandeis University • Waltham, MA

8d

About The Position

Brandeis University is seeking a strategic, creative, and people-centered advancement leader to serve as Executive Director (ED), Communications, Donor Relations, and Events. This is a rare opportunity to shape how a leading research university communicates its impact, engages its donors, and celebrates philanthropy—at a pivotal moment for Institutional Advancement. Reporting to the Interim Deputy Vice President for Institutional Advancement (IDVP), the Executive Director is a member of the Institutional Advancement Senior Leadership Team and plays a central role in defining and delivering an exceptional donor and constituent experience across the University. The hiring range for this position is $147,800 - $169,900. Why This Role Matters Philanthropy fuels Brandeis’ mission—and how we communicate, steward, and engage donors is critical to long-term success. In this role, you will: Reimagine how advancement communications and events inspire connection and action Elevate donor relations and stewardship to reflect best-in-class higher education practices Build strong, collaborative teams that amplify impact across fundraising units Help shape campaign strategy and celebrate philanthropy in meaningful, visible ways This role blends strategy, execution, and leadership, with the ability to influence how the University engages donors at every stage of the philanthropic journey.

Requirements

• A minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible experience, including 5–8 years of supervisory leadership
• A strong track record managing teams and complex, cross-functional initiatives
• Deep knowledge of best practices in higher education fundraising, donor relations, and stewardship
• Strategic thinking paired with operational excellence and attention to detail
• The ability to build trust and influence across diverse stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree required

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in operations, donor relations, and/or gift administration

Responsibilities

• Lead Donor Relations, Communications, and Events (≈60%) Provide strategic oversight for advancement communications, donor relations, and events. Build and align goals across teams to ensure consistent, high-quality donor and constituent experiences. Create and lead a centralized events function within Institutional Advancement, ensuring seamless planning, professional execution, and alignment with engagement and fundraising goals. Strengthen proposal development, gift agreements, and stewardship practices to ensure clarity, consistency, and adherence to best practices. Partner closely with fundraising units to leverage communications and events as powerful tools for donor engagement.
• Develop and Inspire High-Performing Teams (≈25%) Manage, mentor, and develop a cross-functional team, including director-level leaders. Set clear expectations, performance objectives, and accountability measures. Foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and shared ownership of results. Serve as a coach and thought partner to leaders across donor relations, communications, and events.
• Serve as a Senior Advancement Leader (≈15%) Actively contribute as a member of the IA Senior Leadership Team. Advise the Senior Vice President and IDVP on innovative approaches to donor engagement, stewardship, and campaign strategy. Help shape how the University recognizes and celebrates philanthropic investments at institutional and campaign levels.

What This Job Offers

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