Senior Director of Donor Stewardship

New York Botanical Garden•New York, NY

15d•$110,000 - $120,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Donor Stewardship at The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is responsible for the design, delivery, and execution of a best-in-class stewardship program that deepens donor relationships, clearly communicates philanthropic impact, and supports NYBG’s mission and fundraising priorities. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines strategic vision with significant day-to-day execution. The Senior Director directly oversees and contributes to gift acknowledgments, tailored stewardship, impact reporting and donor recognition – while managing and mentoring a small team and partnering closely with frontline fundraisers and colleagues in finance, programs, and communications. The role ensures donors at all levels – from annual supporters to principal and planned gift donors – receive compelling, timely, accurate, compliant, and meaningful stewardship experiences that reflect NYBG’s values, scientific leadership, and public service mission.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required
8-10+ years of progressive experience in donor stewardship, donor relations, advancement operations, and/or related areas of nonprofit development.
Exceptional writing, editing, and proof-reading skills.
Proven project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders, with strong attention to detail.
Demonstrated experience personally executing stewardship deliverables in a complex nonprofit environment.
Strong working knowledge of IRS regulations related to charitable gifts, acknowledgments, and donor benefits.
Experience working with a CRM; Raiser’s Edge NXT preferred.
Experience supervising staff while remaining actively involved in day-to-day work.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to partner effectively across departments and work styles.
Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and commitment to maintaining data confidentiality.
Eagerness to work in a mission-driven, multi-generational, and diverse team environment.
Willingness to work occasional evenings/weekends in support of events or critical Advancement operations.
Valid driver’s license required.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with endowed funds, restricted gifts, and donor agreements.
Prior experience in a comparable cultural, scientific, or educational institution.

Responsibilities

Stewardship Program Execution & Oversight
Lead the end-to-end execution of NYBG’s donor stewardship program, ensuring consistency, quality, and timeliness across all donor segments.
Personally draft, review, and approve high-level and complex acknowledgments, stewardship reports, and donor communications
Ensure stewardship activities support NYBG’s messaging and fundraising goals, donor strategies, and long-term relationship building.
Gift Acknowledgment & Compliance
Oversee all gift acknowledgment processes, ensuring letters meet IRS requirements and NYBG standards for accuracy, clarity, and personalization.
Partner closely with Advancement Operations and Finance to ensure correct recording, acknowledgment language, and compliance with donor preferences and all relevant regulations.
Regularly review and update acknowledgment templates and processes to reflect regulatory changes and best practices.
Partner with Advancement Operations to maintain accurate stewardship records, recognition preferences, and donor intent documentation in Raiser's Edge NXT.
Impact Reporting & Donor Communication
Lead the preparation of custom and standard impact reports, translating NYBG’s work in horticulture, science, education, and community outreach into clear, compelling, donor-centered narratives.
Collaborate directly with program staff, scientists, educators, and Finance to gather accurate data and narratives for donor reporting.
Write and produce stewardship communications that balance storytelling, accountability, and institutional voice.
Use multi-media channels to innovate and expand on NYBG’s donor stewardship program, including overseeing the monthly Science webinar.
Team Leadership & Daily Management
Manage, mentor, and support a small stewardship team, remaining closely involved in their work and outputs.
Set clear expectations, review work for quality and compliance, and provide ongoing coaching.
Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture focused on excellence and continuous improvement.