Director, Donor Experience

Summary:

Help shape meaningful donor experiences that strengthen relationships, inspire generosity, and connect supporters directly to the ASPCA's lifesaving work for animals.

Who We Are

The Advancement department builds and sustains philanthropic support that enables the ASPCA to advance its mission of improving the lives of animals nationwide. Through fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, and engagement initiatives, the team creates opportunities for supporters to deepen their connection to the organization's impact and future goals.

What You'll Do

The Director, Donor Experience designs and executes strategic donor engagement opportunities that deepen relationships with the ASPCA's most dedicated supporters. This role develops and manages a year-round portfolio of virtual and in-person experiences, including tours, educational programs, stewardship events, and customized donor engagements. Working closely with frontline fundraisers, program teams, senior leaders, and external partners, the Director creates polished and meaningful experiences that showcase the ASPCA's impact while strengthening long-term donor engagement and support.

• Director, Donor Experience reports directly to the Senior Director of Philanthrop y and has no direct reports .

Where and When You'll Work

• This is a hybrid position and will require occasional commuting to an ASPCA office and event locations as needed.

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% annually , as needed.

• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed to support donor events and stewardship activities.

What You’ll Get

Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

• The target hiring range for this role is $120,000 - $128,000

Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage,  including medical, employer-paid dental and optional vision coverage.

• Flexible time off  that includes vacation time, paid personal time, sick time, bereavement time, paid parental leave, and 10 company paid holidays that allows you even more flexibility to observe the days that mean the most to you.

• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings,  including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.

• Robust professional development opportunities,  including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship with industry-leading peers, internal mobility, opportunities to support in the field and so much more.

Responsibilities:

Responsibility buckets are listed in general order of importance, and include but are not limited to:

Donor Experience Strategy & Design

• Develop and manage a year-round portfolio of donor engagement experiences, including facility tours, briefings, educational programs, virtual events, and stewardship opportunities.
• Design innovative donor experiences that highlight the ASPCA's programs, expertise, and mission impact while recognizing donor generosity.
• Identify and pilot new donor engagement concepts that reflect evolving donor interests, expectations, and stewardship best practices.
• Maintain a strong understanding of ASPCA programs, priorities, and donor interests to create meaningful engagement opportunities.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices in donor stewardship, hospitality, and event management to continually enhance donor experiences.

Event Planning & Execution

• Lead planning and execution of the ASPCA Heroes Circle Experience and other donor stewardship events from concept development through post-event follow-up.
• Manage all event logistics, including timelines, budgets, invitations, registration, catering, transportation, accessibility, technology, staffing, and onsite operations.
• Develop donor briefings, event materials, run-of-show documents, and leadership preparation materials to ensure successful execution.
• Manage relationships with vendors, venues, consultants, and service providers and oversee event-related budgets and contracts.
• Track event participation, attendee feedback, and engagement metrics to evaluate effectiveness and inform future planning.

Partnership & Stewardship Support

• Partner with frontline fundraisers to develop customized donor engagement opportunities aligned with stewardship and relationship-building goals.
• Collaborate with program staff, senior leaders, communications, facilities, and other internal stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery of donor experiences.
• Maintain accurate donor engagement records and reporting within Salesforce and other systems.
• Handle confidential donor information with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Support departmental priorities, special projects, and other duties as assigned by manager.

Qualifications

• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality donor experiences.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with senior leaders, fundraisers, program staff, donors, and external partners.
• Ability to remain flexible, calm, and solutions-oriented while managing complex events and competing deadlines.
• Strong judgment and discretion when handling confidential donor information.
• Professional presence and donor-centered approach to relationship building and hospitality.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases and project management platforms required; Salesforce experience preferred.
• Knowledge of donor stewardship, hospitality, and event management best practices.
• Knowledge of and interest in animal welfare preferred.
• Ability to exemplify ASPCA's core values and behavioral competencies

 

Language

• English required.

 

Education and Work Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in donor events, stewardship, donor relations, nonprofit engagement, or related relationship-management functions required.
• Experience planning and executing sophisticated, high-touch events and experiences for major donor audiences required.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with competing timelines and priorities.
• Minimum one year experience managing event vendors, venues, contracts, and budgets required.
• Experience collaborating with senior leaders, program teams, and external stakeholders.

Staff or volunteer management experience preferred.

Language:

English

Education and Work Experience:

Stay Connected – Join Our Talent Community:
If you are interested in joining our team but don't feel this position fits your experience or interests, please check out our other open opportunities or consider joining our Talent Community .

About Us:
The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Our EEO Policy:
The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the ASPCA’s standard application process, which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on the ASPCA. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Individuals seeking employment are considered without regards to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

ASPCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V).

Applicant Notices : Applicants have rights under federal employment laws: Equal Employment Opportunity ; Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA) ; Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ; Uniformed Services Employment Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) . Candidates residing in CA, CO, Flagstaff (AZ), IL, IN, Los Angeles (CA), Los Angeles County (CA), MA, ME, NJ, NM, NYC, OR, Philadelphia (PA), RI, San Francisco (CA), and WI should click here for additional information about general applicant notices.