Financial Manager, Stewardship and Donor Relations

Bucknell University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Lewisburg, PENNSYLVANIA
Deadline: ;

Financial Manager, Stewardship and Donor Relations

Apply now Job no:497081
Position type:full-time
Location:Lewisburg, PA
Categories:University Advancement / Alumni Relations


University Advancement (UA) is here to advance the mission of Bucknell University by engaging the Bucknell community. It is only through the support of alumni, parents and friends – by opening doors to career opportunities, engaging others to join the conversation and community, and entrusting us with their philanthropic commitments -- that we can further elevate Bucknell as a leader in undergraduate education.

Our team is dedicated to this mission and unified by five values:

  • Lead with Integrity
  • Embrace a Collaborative and Inclusive Spirit
  • Be Open and Receptive
  • Nurture Creativity and Innovation
  • Foster a Culture of Empowerment and Knowledge

These values also illustrate how we, as a division, bring the University's strategic plan to life and exercise our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on a daily basis.

As a part of UA, the Financial Manager is responsible for endowment and non-endowment management, including serving as the lead on the scholarship awarding/management program, as part of the division’s overall program designed to foster a culture of appreciation for the University's top priorities, as well as cultivating and recognizing the University's top donors, prospects, alumni, parents, and friends. This position reports to the Director or Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations.

This position is a part of Strategic Advancement Services and Campaign Administration, which is comprised of five areas: Advancement Information Services (AIS), Gift Processing and Data Management (GPDM), Stewardship and Donor Relations (SDR), UA Operations, and Estate, Trust and Gift Planning (ETGP).

Job Duties:
As a part of UA, the Financial Manager, Stewardship and Donor Relations is responsible for endowment and non-endowment management, including serving as the lead on the scholarship awarding/management program, as part of the division’s overall program designed to foster a culture of appreciation for the University's top priorities, as well as cultivating and recognizing the University's top donors, prospects, alumni, parents, and friends. This position reports to the Director or Associate Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations.

This position is a part of Strategic Advancement Services and Campaign Administration, which is comprised of five areas: Advancement Information Services (AIS), Gift Processing and Data Management (GPDM), Stewardship and Donor Relations (SDR), UA Operations, and Estate, Trust and Gift Planning (ETGP).

Duties/Responsibilities

  • Fund Management
    • Responsible for auditing financials (book/market values and spendable income) related to endowed and restricted annual funds
      • Independently monitors the general ledger and associated gift worktags to ensure coding is accurate.
      • Regularly communicates with campus partners (Finance; Budget Managers) to ensure funds are connected to appropriate budgets.
      • Periodically audits fund coding (including budget cost centers and fund managers) in Blackbaud CRM to ensure accuracy
      • Serves as key point of contact for partners across campus for spending restrictions and preferences related to donor funded endowed and restricted funds
      • Collaborates on a communication strategy when funds are unspent or not spent appropriately.
  • Scholarship Matching and Management
    • Serves as the SDR lead on the Scholarship Matching/Management Process in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid and other team members:
      • Maintains excellent relationship with Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, Finance and other campus partners as necessary for scholarship awarding success.
      • Consistent with current university practice, matches named scholarships with student financial aid packages and and works with the Finance Office to reconcile charges to named funds.
      • Independently produces analysis as needed in support of maintaining a successful scholarship awarding process.
      • Independently manages the Annual Scholarship program, including analysis of funding levels.
      • Works with colleagues in the department, the VP for Enrollment Management and the Office of Financial Aid to suggest changes to policies and processes to better manage the program as a whole and align with Bucknell’s strategic priorities around financial aid for students.
  • Impact reporting
    • Serve as key partner for the Impact Report process including:
      • Independently contacts various campus partners to gather and deploy impact reports on an annual basis (endowed and non-endowed funds; restricted annual funds)
      • Tracks and analyzes complex data associated with report status.
      • Prepares annual financial reports for donors in collaboration with the Director.
      • Independently provides statistical analysis as needed in support of maintaining a successful endowed fund, restricted annual fund reporting process.
  • Other responsibilities:
    • Maintains a full understanding of revenue, revenue reports and revenue terminology specific to Bucknell Monitors Blackbaud CRM data, including:
      • Performs regular audits and clean-up efforts on data related to endowed and non-endowed funds
      • Communicates and collaborates with other SDR staff as necessary on clean-up efforts
    • Participates in execution of stewardship experiences, including:
      • Scholarship Day general support as needed.
      • Special stewardship events on or off campus as needed.
    • Assistance with individual stewardship in collaboration with the Director as needed.
    • Serves as back-up to other SDR staff when necessary.
    • Other duties as assigned.

    • Minimum Qualifications:

    • Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance and four (4) years of professional experience in accounting or finance related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
    • Demonstrated understanding and application of accounting principles
    • Expertise and experience in using database functions and reporting, as well as familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, including spreadsheets
    • Strong project management skills
    • Strong written and verbal communication skills
    • Strong detail-orientation and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy, tact, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality inside and outside of UA.
    • Demonstrates an ability to function independently yet relate comfortably to a multifaceted environment, participating in and contributing to a total team effort.

    Other Requirements:
    This position requires occasional evening and weekend work to support UA’s events including blocks of time for major events such as Family Weekend, Reunion, and Homecoming, and other event support as required. Staff should mark their calendars for major events and events in their department. Exceptions require supervisory approval.

    Exempt employees are required to work as much time as is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the position without additional compensation, even if the work is performed beyond standard work hours.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • Experience working in a stewardship, donor relations or related office in higher education or other nonprofit setting
    • An understanding of technology specific to stewardship and donor relations
    • Familiarity with Blackbaud CRM

    Work Type: 
    This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt benefits-eligible position based in Lewisburg, PA.


    About Bucknell

    Founded in 1846 and located along the banks of the Susquehanna River in historic Lewisburg, Pa., Bucknell University is an undergraduate-focused institution that stands uniquely at the intersection of top-ranked liberal arts, engineering and management programs. Our students choose from more than 60 majors and 70 minors in the arts, engineering, humanities, management, and natural and social sciences, as well as extensive global study, service-learning and research opportunities. Bucknell’s 3,700 undergraduate and 30 graduate students enjoy a low 9:1 student-faculty ratio and exceptional opportunities to collaborate with faculty mentors on scholarly and artistic projects.

    Bucknell’s beautiful 450-acre campus includes first-rate facilities and is home to more than 90 percent of its undergraduate students. Student life is vibrant with about 200 student-run organizations, 27 NCAA Division I athletics teams, a robust arts culture, and a commitment among many of the students to community and global service work.

    Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and we seek candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. The University provides equal opportunity without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran status or disability in admissions, employment and in all of its educational programs and activities. We encourage individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply.

    The Community

    Lewisburg (pop. 5,700) is located in central Pennsylvania and features beautiful Victorian homes, the restored art deco Campus Theatre (owned by the University), a variety of restaurants, shops and boutiques, and the Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University Bookstore. It is the seat of Union County, which has about 44,000 residents.

    The city of Williamsport is about a 30-minute drive from campus, and Penn State University’s main campus is about an hour away, as is Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s state capital. Bucknell is within a three-hour drive of New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

    The cost of living is low compared to that of major U.S. cities and suburbs. Bucknell’s surroundings yield fresh produce, cultural activities and events, and outstanding opportunities for outdoor activity on the Susquehanna River and in the nearby state parks and forests. The Lewisburg Area School District receives excellent reviews for its schools at all grade levels. Lewisburg Area High School consistently ranks among the top 50 high schools in Pennsylvania for SAT scores and statewide exams.

    Advertised:27 Jun 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
    Applications close:

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