Director of Donor Relations

Director of Donor Relations

Apply now Job no: 502770
Work type: Full-Time
Location: Hybrid/Flexible Work Arrangement
Categories: Drexel University, Institutional Advancement

Drexel’s Office of Institutional Advancement (IA) supports the University’s mission and strategic priorities by generating philanthropic engagement and by building and strengthening relationships among alumni, students, faculty, staff, civic leaders, friends, and foundation and corporate partners. We aspire to create a sustainable and lasting culture of philanthropy at Drexel University by cultivating the next generation of leadership through volunteer initiatives and alumni engagement. 

In alignment with Drexel University’s values and priorities, IA is committed to maintaining a flexible and dynamic work environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion; professional and career development; and collaboration and innovation across all our departments. 

Job Summary

The Director of Donor Relations plays a key role within the Office of Institutional Advancement (IA), developing and implementing a comprehensive program that emphasizes stewardship of major and principal donors. This position will help foster an inspiring and actionable culture of philanthropy by bolstering relationships with high-level and high-potential individual, corporate, and foundation donors. You will lead a small team of dedicated staff who produce meaningful gift recognition, impact reporting, and experiences, including excellent service to donors and the University community.

This is a hybrid position that will work from the University City office a couple times a month.

Essential Functions

• Team Leadership / Management: Provide guidance and mentorship to direct reports, fostering an environment of collaboration, solutions- and impact-focused innovation, and continual growth.
• Stewardship Strategy: Collaborate with teammates and peers to refine and/or develop strategies and best practices for enhancing effectiveness of stewardship activities, with focus on major and principal gift initiatives. Annual giving stewardship is the responsibility of the Annual Engagement team.
• Stewardship Implementation: Drive the execution of stewardship programs, including individualized plans for top-tier donors (including trustees), recognition societies and initiatives, high-level philanthropic milestones, donor events, as well as partner on the production of engaging donor-focused publications/materials, communications, and content.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Collaborate closely with teammates, IA departments (e.g., Major Gifts, Principal Gifts, FCR, Protocol & Special Events), and Drexel peers, ensuring seamless coordination for donor acknowledgement, stewardship, and recognition initiatives.
• Donor Recognition Cultivation: Engage with donors to gather pertinent information for future philanthropic endeavors, employing robust contact reporting protocols.
• University Representation: Serve as the IA representative on pertinent University committees (e.g., campus signage committee), advocating for best practices in donor relations and its role in cultivating strong relationships.
• Compliance and Reporting: Collaborate with colleagues to ensure gift agreements are developed in alignment with donor intention, and compliant with established gift guidelines.
• Promotion of University Priorities: Champion University-wide priorities, contributing to the enhancement of the institution’s image and goals among constituents.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree or Equivalent .
• Minimum of 5 years in cultivating and managing high-level constituent relationships within a higher education or philanthropic/non-profit setting.
• Proven experience collaborating with senior-level executives, high-value donors, and key stakeholders, with the ability to exercise good judgement on behalf of an organization.
• Ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of colleagues and constituencies.
• Previous management and direct supervisory experience professional staff.
• Strong interpersonal and oral and written communication skills, coupled with a strategic mindset and strong analytical abilities.
• Proficiency with data, CRM systems, and fundraising software/donor management tools (e.g., Advance, Honorcraft, Tableau, ThankView).
• Ability to maintain a customer-centric approach with meticulous attention to detail, organizational proficiency, and a penchant for multitasking.
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment, exhibit tact, sound judgement, and navigate ambiguity effectively.
• Ability to work development events on evenings and weekends several times a year.

Location

Hybrid: Remote/University City, Philadelphia PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from $75,200 - $112,790 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.   

We encourage you to explore Drexel's Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on our compensation framework.  

You can also find valuable information about our benefits in the Benefits Brochure .  

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application. In additional, please include the following:

• An example of an individual stewardship plan for a top donor
• A writing sample such as personalized impact/stewardship report, gift acknowledgement or announcement, or another stewardship-focused writing sample

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

 

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Advertised: Apr 1 2024 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Apr 30 2024 Eastern Daylight Time

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