Job Abstract

The Director of Donor Engagement is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing the comprehensive recognition and stewardship program for donors at all levels. Reporting to the Senior Director of Engagement, this position creates thoughtful engagement opportunities to strengthen the Schools relationships with its donor community. The Director of Donor Engagement works collaboratively to advance the goals of the department and is responsible for the leadership and management of the Assistant Director of Donor Relations. The Director of Donor Engagement has a demonstrated track record of strategic planning, collaboration, innovation, and creativity, and is well versed in donor relations and stewardship best practices.

Key Responsibilities:

Donor Engagement and Stewardship Leadership

• Strategically develop, implement, and manage the comprehensive recognition and stewardship program for donors at all levels.
• Collaborate with the Individual Giving team to streamline processes and high-level touch points, including creating compelling reports and stewardship materials.
• In collaboration with the Individual Giving team, manage a dynamic stewardship portfolio of 20-30 endowed fund donors who have more than one endowed fund established. Create and manage engagement strategies to provide personalized communication demonstrating impact and appreciation.
• Design metrics and systems to monitor outcomes across all areas of donor relations programming with a core goal of donor retention, satisfaction, and engagement.
• Direct and supervise the activities of the Assistant Director of Donor Engagement and provide support and guidance to the Engagement Coordinator as appropriate.
• Develop and sustain productive cross-functional relationships (individual giving, development operations/analytics, and communications/brand marketing) to advance donor engagement goals.

Event Oversight and Committee Management

• Oversee the planning and execution of three annual special events designed to support engagement, stewardship, and fundraising initiatives (Loyalty and Leadership, Founders Day for Scholars, and Grandparents and Special Friends Day).
• Engage the donors of three longtime institutional programs, plan and implement engagement strategies to support the initiatives (Rubenstein Guest Artists Reception and Lecture, John Fisher Zeidman Memorial Reception and Lecture, and Newmyer Awards Dinner), and manage the Zeidman Chinese Program Advisory Committee.
• Collaborate with the Individual Giving team on the engagement strategy of key gift recognition and other constituent societies. Oversee the planning and execution of ideas to deepen their engagement.
• In collaboration with the Individual Giving team, lead the strategy and be responsible for the engagement of the Thomas and Frances Sidwell Society and the 1934 Council.

Donor Communication and Recognition

• Lead the production of key stewardship donor communications, including Report on Philanthropy (annual report) and Advancing Friends (bi-annual philanthropy newsletter).
• Direct the production of 180+ endowed fund reports and other specialized stewardship reporting.
• Oversee and manage named spaces and programs. Collaborate with Advancement Services on data tracking and coordinate with appropriate staff and vendors to ensure uniformity in accordance with the schools mission and values.
• In partnership with Advancement Services, coordinate and collaborate on the production of acknowledgements. Routinely refresh personalized messaging of major gift and annual fund acknowledgments. Initiate and oversee the production of special correspondence, including condolences, celebrations, and unique donor milestones.
• Collaborate with the Individual Giving team and provide support for donor stewardship outreach initiatives (calls, texts, notecards, etc.) and annual fund impact reporting.
• Create new, innovative approaches to and strategies for effective donor relations and stewardship, especially in new media (ThankView or like-vendor, video, email, social media).
• Prepare specialized donor communications, as needed.

Qualifications:

A Bachelors degree is required with three to five years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, engagement, and/or major gift fundraising, preferably in a higher-education or independent school setting. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker who understands sustained relationship management and stewardship of philanthropic gifts. Professionalism, discretion, and creativity are vital in this role.

Skills and Abilities:

Required

• Must be able to provide strategic development, implementation, and management of a comprehensive recognition and stewardship program.
• Demonstrated experience in sustained relationship management and stewardship of philanthropic gifts.
• Must be a self-motivated, highly dependable, independent worker with the ability to effectively prioritize work and problem-solve.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize projects to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and best practices in stewardship.

Skill in project and event management.

Strong writing and oral presentation skills.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage complex, multi-phase projects from inception to completion.

Exceptional interpersonal skills with ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with colleagues

Ability to represent the school with internal and external constituents in the community by attending events and social gatherings as needed.

Desired

Masters degree preferred.

Experience using The Raisers Edge NXT in a non-profit setting.