Job Information
St. Lawrence University Director of Donor Relations in Canton, New York
Position Information
Position Title Director of Donor Relations
FLSA Exempt
Primary Responsibilities
Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement, the Director of Donor Relations creates, implements, and manages all aspects of the University’s donor recognition programs, personalized stewardship, and impact reporting. The director will work closely with the offices of the Academic Dean, Admissions and Financial Aid, Athletics, Business Office/Finance, Career Excellence, Student Life, and others to create a collaborative culture of shared stewardship responsibility within the University. The director supervises an associate director and a specialist.
This is an “on-site” position but there could be future opportunities for hybrid-remote for a successful candidate.
Duties/Responsibilities
Management of donor relations program
Develop, execute, and monitor annual goals, objectives and metrics for the donor relations team.
Manage the donor relations team including an associate director of donor relations and administrative assistant, providing overall guidance, mentoring and evaluation.
Work collaboratively with frontline fundraisers and the Associate Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications to develop personalized proposals for donors at the major gift level and above, as needed.
Develop and execute gift agreements for all major and planned gifts (at certain levels).
Oversee the University’s gift acknowledgment process including primary gift acknowledgment letters from advancement staff, acknowledgments from the President and Board of Trustees, as well as outreach to first time donors and Sustaining Saints (loyal donors).
Assist in the creation, monitoring, and updating of policies and procedures related to donor relations including gift minimums, naming guidelines and gift acceptance policies.
Oversee the maintenance of the Mapping the Laurentian Legacy program that includes all named spaces and plaques on campus; and maintain an ongoing list of available naming opportunities.
Manage the donor relations budget in Ellucian Colleague.
Follow and promote the ethical guidelines set forth in the Association of Donor Relations for Advancement ( ADRP ), the Association of Advancement Services Professionals ( AASP ), the CASE Donor Bill of Rights, and the CASE Ethics Guidelines.
Develop and execute highly personalized stewardship and impact reporting
Draft individual stewardship plans for St. Lawrence’s top donors at the principal gift level and above; assist with execution of those plans.
Work collaboratively with colleagues in University Advancement, University Communications, and other departments as needed, to produce regular print and digital stewardship including individual and group stewardship reports, an annual endowment report, and overall and project-based donor reports, as needed.
Work closely with the Academic Dean’s office to develop appropriate stewardship for donors to endowed professorships/staff positions.
Assist with the planning of on-campus dedications and celebration events, including all accompanying signage and plaque development.
Participate with appropriate staff in the design and execution of on- and off-campus cultivation and donor recognition events, as well as individualized campus visits.
Oversight of donor fund creation and management
Work with Advancement Operations and the business office on the creation of new current use and endowed funds.
Collaborate with the business office and other internal constituencies on the proper allocation and expenditure of endowed and expendable named funds.
Work to ensure the timely, accurate reporting on fund use and endowment performance to donors who have established restricted or endowed funds for scholarships, professorships, research funds, athletic and other department programs.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required.
Six or more years of donor relations, fundraising, marketing, communications or related experience required, preferably in higher education.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills required; experience in writing for fundraising or advancement purposes preferred.
Management experience preferred.
Proven organizational skills; experience managing special events and other complex and time- sensitive programs.
Superior skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; experience working in relational databases.
Knowledge of The Raiser’s Edge a plus, but not required.
Ability to work independently as well as within a team, build effective relationships, effectively supervise, utilize staff, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Ability to develop strong relationships with donors with the highest degree of professionalism.
Ability to identify and adapt to shifting priorities, be flexible and resourceful, and exercise professionalism with numerous constituencies.
Preferred Qualifications
Salary $75,000 - $80,000. Actual rate will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.
Status (FT, PT, Seasonal, Temp) Full-time (12 months)
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number ST01170
Desired Start Date
Open Date (to accept applications)
Close Date (date applications will not be considered)
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Interested and qualified applicants should complete the online application form and upload required documents in the “applicant documents” section of the form.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to Kimberly Hissong, Interim Vice President for University Advancement, khissong@stlawu.edu.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the finalist successfully passing a background (including criminal records) check.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Resume
Diversity Statement (a brief statement about your approach or ideas for promoting diversity and inclusion)
Contact Information for 3 Professional References
Optional Documents