Senior Director of Stewardship and Events

University of Tampa•Tampa, FL

17d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Director of Stewardship and Events provides strategic leadership for donor stewardship and advancement-related events at the University of Tampa. This role is responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive stewardship program that ensures meaningful donor engagement, recognition, and impact reporting, while also overseeing a portfolio of high-profile events that advance fundraising, alumni engagement, and institutional priorities. As a senior member of the Advancement leadership team, the Senior Director partners closely with development officers, alumni relations, university leadership, and campus stakeholders to strengthen donor relationships, reinforce philanthropic culture, and enhance the overall donor experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive experience in donor stewardship, advancement events, development, or a related field, preferably in higher education or a complex nonprofit environment.
Demonstrated experience leading donor-centered stewardship programs and managing high-level events.
Proven ability to manage and motivate staff and work effectively across teams.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
Familiarity with donor relations best practices, recognition societies, and impact reporting.
Experience working with senior leadership, boards, and high-capacity donors.
Strategic thinking and execution
Relationship-building and collaboration
Donor-centric mindset
Leadership and team development
Organizational excellence and attention to detail

Responsibilities

Stewardship Strategy and Donor Engagement
Develop and lead a comprehensive, donor-centered stewardship strategy aligned with UTampa’s advancement goals and campaign priorities.
Ensure timely, accurate, and meaningful acknowledgment, recognition, and reporting for donors at all levels.
Oversee the creation and distribution of donor impact reports, stewardship communications, and recognition materials that clearly demonstrate the outcomes of philanthropy.
Partner with major, principal, corporate, and planned giving teams to customize stewardship plans for top donors and prospects.
Serve as a key advisor to advancement leadership on best practices in donor relations and stewardship.
Events Leadership and Management
Provide strategic oversight and direction for advancement-related events, including donor recognition events, cultivation events, campaign milestones, presidential events, and signature university functions.
Ensure events are purpose-driven, aligned with fundraising and engagement objectives, and reflective of UTampa’s brand and values.
Collaborate with development officers to integrate events into donor cultivation and solicitation strategies.
Oversee event planning logistics, timelines, budgets, vendors, and post-event evaluation to ensure excellence and continuous improvement.
Team Leadership and Collaboration
Lead, mentor, and manage stewardship and events staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and high performance.
Establish clear goals, workflows, and metrics for the stewardship and events team.
Work cross-functionally with Alumni Relations, Communications and Marketing, Athletics, Academic leadership, and other campus partners to ensure cohesive engagement efforts.
Data, Reporting, and Compliance
Ensure stewardship practices align with donor intent, gift agreements, and institutional policies.
Collaborate with Advancement Services to maintain accurate stewardship records and recognition data in the CRM system.
Track and analyze stewardship and event metrics to assess effectiveness and inform strategy.