Program Manager, Development, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (VPUR)

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

1d•$71,857 - $86,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Division of University Relations seeks a highly organized and detail-oriented Program Manager, Development for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR). This role is critical in fostering meaningful connections with donors, alumni, parents, friends and faculty while supporting the College’s development strategy and programs. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer/Assistant Dean of External Relations of the College, the Program Manager will work to implement a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that strategically engages prospects, donors and key stakeholders for the purpose of fundraising. The Program Manager will provide high-level operational and strategic support to the Chief Development Officer and, as needed, the Dean, with a primary focus on strengthening donor stewardship systems and delivering meaningful, high-quality donor engagement. The position will develop meeting and event briefings, manage the unit’s budget, and create stewardship strategies and communications that deepen donor relationships, encourage renewed and increased giving, and help move annual donors toward major gift engagement. The person in this role will ensure consistent and effective stewardship and donor relations practices, working closely with departments to encourage the timely and appropriate use of scholarship, program, and endowment funds in accordance with donor intent and to communicate the impact of those investments to donors. The Program Manager will develop compelling stewardship communications, including acknowledgment letters, emails, impact reports, and videos, in close collaboration with the College’s Communications team. They will support select donor events that advance fundraising and engagement goals and maintain accurate College of Agriculture and Natural Resources information in the constituent relationship management (CRM) systems utilized by University Relations. The Program Manager, will manage a portfolio of approximately 25–35 annual-gift prospects and donors, developing personalized strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward their continued support. The Program Manager will identify annual donors who demonstrate the interest, engagement, and giving potential to progress toward major-gift consideration and will work closely with the Chief Development Officer to ensure those individuals are appropriately vetted and added to the development pipeline. The position will also partner with the Chief Development Officer to plan and manage the College’s participation in Giving Day and Giving Tuesday.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Three (3) years of professional scholarship activities, gift administration, stewardship, or donor relations experience.
Knowledge of donor & alumni related policies and procedures, and federal, state, and other applicable related laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments.
Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, regulations, and laws.
Ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.
Ability to work some evenings and weekends as necessary.
Some local travel may be required.
Must be able to provide proof of ongoing eligibility to work in the USA.

Nice To Haves

Experience using donor contact management systems, such as Blackbaud and Salesforce.
Proficiency with digital design and communication platforms to create visually compelling donor impact reports, email solicitations, and stewardship communications.
Experience supporting donor events.

Responsibilities

Implement a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program.
Provide high-level operational and strategic support to the Chief Development Officer and the Dean.
Strengthen donor stewardship systems and deliver high-quality donor engagement.
Develop meeting and event briefings.
Manage the unit’s budget.
Create stewardship strategies and communications to deepen donor relationships.
Encourage renewed and increased giving.
Facilitate the transition of annual donors toward major gift engagement.
Ensure consistent and effective stewardship and donor relations practices.
Work with departments to ensure timely and appropriate use of scholarship, program, and endowment funds.
Communicate the impact of investments to donors.
Develop compelling stewardship communications (acknowledgment letters, emails, impact reports, videos).
Support select donor events.
Maintain accurate College of Agriculture and Natural Resources information in CRM systems.
Manage a portfolio of approximately 25-35 annual-gift prospects and donors.
Develop personalized strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward donor support.
Identify annual donors with potential for major gift consideration.
Partner with the Chief Development Officer to plan and manage participation in Giving Day and Giving Tuesday.