Director of Donor Relations

Description The SIU Foundation seeks candidates for the Director of DonorRelations position. This position provides strategic leadership fordonor stewardship, recognition, and engagement initiatives for theSIU Foundation. This position also develops and implements programsto ensure meaningful, consistent acknowledgment of donorcontributions and alignment with donor intent. The rolecollaborates with development staff and University partners tosupport cultivation and stewardship efforts, coordinate recognitionactivities and events, and maintain accurate donor records andreporting to strengthen long-term philanthropicrelationships. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications andexperience, while also considering internal equity. Examples of Duties The primary charge of this position is to lead the SIU Foundation'sdonor relations function, inclusive of: donor acknowledgment andrecognition, engagement-related donor communications and events,gift stewardship, major gift "onboarding" (gift agreementadministration and fund creation). Plan, develop, and implement strategies for Donor Relations andstewardship programs/initiatives. Ensure the alignment of Donor Relations initiatives with SIUFoundation and university goals and objectives. Assist Executive Director with setting Advancement Services andFoundation priorities; organize competing priorities with an eye toboth short-and long-term needs and efficiencies. Develop, manage, and monitor donor recognition programs formajor/principal gifts, inclusive of written acknowledgments,ceremonies, donor walls, plaques, etc. Oversee the development and management of broad-basedstewardship and recognition vehicles, inclusive of givingsocieties, donor honor rolls, and special acknowledgements (e.g.,first-time donor packages and board thank-yous). Oversee the execution of select Foundation programs andevents. Engage in marketing and communications efforts related to DonorRelations/stewardship program (inclusive of writing for print andelectronic channels). Identify and leverage collaborative stewardship opportunitieswith development staff. Identify and recruit students and alumni for participation inDonor Relations programs. Manage invitation/registration tracking for select Foundation,Alumni Association, and SIU events with cultivation, stewardship,and/or solicitation components. Develop and maintain strategic operating plans and associatedbudgets for Donor Relations, regularly monitoring, assessing, andreporting progress to goal. Serve as the primary point of contact and subject matter expertfor Donor Relations and stewardship matters; communicate andchampion the area's initiatives with internal and externalstakeholders. Collaborate with Financial Services to ensure accommodation ofdonor intent. Collaborate with development staff to ensure appropriateengagement and stewardship of major donors, arrange donor visitsand tours, etc. Provide reports, tools, and other resources to relevantFoundation and SIU staff, staying current with industry standardsand best practices. Manage department and event budgets. Manage multiple projects and tasks of varying complexity. Supervise, train, direct, and evaluate the work of assignedDonor Relations staff; recommend necessary changes in staffing,structure, resources. Plan, develop, and implement strategies for Donor Relations andstewardship programs/initiatives. Ensure the alignment of Donor Relations initiatives with SIUFoundation and university goals and objectives. Assist the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Major and Planned Givingwith setting priorities; organize competing priorities with an eyeto both short- and long-term needs and efficiencies. Develop, manage, and monitor donor recognition programs formajor/principal gifts, :inclusive of written acknowledgments,ceremonies, donor walls, plaques, etc. Other duties as assigned. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree. A minimum of fiveyears of work experience in donor relations or a similar role withrelevant responsibilities. Extensive knowledge of donor relations'role in higher education environments and familiarity with therole/function of advancement services and/or financial aid offices.Strong planning, management, and supervisory skills. Ability tobalance a wide variety of competing responsibilities, priorities,and stakeholders. Excellent oral and written communicationskills. Preferred Qualifications: Masters Degree and three or moreyears of supervisory of experience. Contact Darla Peterman, View email address on click.appcast.io #J-18808-Ljbffr The Chronicle of Higher Education