Director of Donor Relations

POSITION OBJECTIVE

The director of donor relations will work with the senior leadership, and development officers for the purpose of composing presidential donor acknowledgments and other high-level correspondence and facilitating donor relations projects. The director will provide consistently high-quality written communication to and about specific donors to recognize their contributions to lead to continued engagement and financial support of the university. They will lead a comprehensive donor acknowledgment program that celebrates philanthropic investments in the university at all levels.

• Manage and execute donor acknowledgment process at the highest levels including presidential and senior vice president. Design 300+ engaging, highly personalized acknowledgement and specialized presidential letters, annually, based on gift level. Design and maintain acknowledgement letter templates for the president and senior vice president. Maintain acknowledgment level standards and processes and ensure that all acknowledgments are completed within the timeline set forth in the acknowledgment program protocols.
  
  Collaborate with the Senior Vice President's Office, development officers, Advancement Services staff and others across campus to ensure information included in acknowledgments is accurate and meaningful. Serve as the primary point of contact for colleagues in the schools, college, and other departments managing written donor communications, to answer questions related to specific presidential donor acknowledgments and other high-level correspondence from senior leadership in process.
• In partnership with senior director of donor relations, research donor acknowledgement best practices and trends to develop and manage a comprehensive donor acknowledgement program, including metrics and analysis, to ensure every donor is thanked for their financial contribution, and assess compliance with donor acknowledgement policies. Oversee inventory of spaces named in recognition of philanthropic gifts and gift societies.
• Draft special communications to various groups including donors, alumni, faculty, and staff as needed by University Relations & Development division leadership. Compose event follow-up communication from senior leadership after Presidential travel and other meetings. Manage the creation of condolence letters on behalf of senior leadership. Letters, remarks, scripts, email copy among other methods of communication may be included. Maintain donor salutation and signature preferences, address changes, etc.
  
  for president and senior vice president.
• Generate daily reports of gift activity and associated donor data, gather event and/or travel briefs, review data and compare gift activity levels with gift acknowledgment protocols, research background on each individual gift to confirm appropriate acknowledgment, secure necessary letter enclosures, write engaging personalized letters, proof all letters, track ongoing progress and status of letters, prepare monthly summary of letters, and prepare annual quantitative analysis of acknowledgment process and benchmarking.

• Define and assign individual tasks, maintain schedules and standards and conduct performance reviews for the assistant director of donor relations in all aspects of the responsibilities of that position.
• Collaborate with and assist the assistant vice president of donor relations and events with the planning and execution of programs and events as needed on or off campus to ensure seamless execution.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Department:
  Contact with assistant vice president, senior director, and all donor relations and events staff as required to perform essential functions.
• University:
  Contact with the president's office, provost's office, vice presidents, deans, trustees, alumni, chief development officers, senior staff in colleges and management centers, university relations and development staff, faculty and Board of Trustees as required to perform essential functions.
• External:
  Contact with friends of the university, corporate, foundation and community leaders, donors, alumni, and outside vendors and consultants as required to perform essential functions.
• Students:
  Limited contact with students and student volunteers as required to perform essential functions.

Direct supervision of one assistant director of donor relations.

• Experience:
  
  6 or more years of professional experience; experience in dedicated writing or writing intensive position, development and/or higher education preferred.
• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree required.

• Demonstrated excellent writing, communication, interpersonal and creative skills are necessary, as is the ability to bring vision and leadership for effective communications.
• Ability and drive to elevate university standards and protocol for donor recognition and stewardship.
• Must be entrepreneurial and proactive, integrating…