Associate Director of Donor Engagement
As a critical member of the advancement team, the Associate Director of Donor Engagement will work to support the fundraising objectives of the college related to the cultivation, recognition, and stewardship of the university’s generous donors. The associate director is responsible for working closely with executive director to: 1) produce and oversee an annual stewardship calendar and comprehensive stewardship plan for Lawrence’s generous donors at all levels, 2) work collaboratively with advancement staff to provide experiential stewardship opportunities for top donors, 3) develop customized stewardship reports, broad stewardship communications, and provide support for advancement communications, 4) manage the university’s named scholarship program, 5) and serve as a collaborative, collegial, and responsive member of the advancement team.
DUTIES:
- Oversee the annual stewardship calendar of activities. These activities include such things as the annual fund Impact Report, Investors’ Reports for endowed and restricted fund donors, stewardship events, donor communications, and other reporting. While there is currently a stewardship calendar in place, the associate director will be expected to continually evaluate activities and develop new and interesting experiential stewardship opportunities that resonate with donors and strengthen their relationship to the college.
- Produce a large volume of written work including multi-page professionally designed reports, presidential stewardship communications, well-crafted email messages, and trustee citations. Writing for a variety of different audiences and in several different contexts will be a regular and ongoing aspect of this position.
- Collaborate with financial aid and admissions to ensure that named scholarships are awarded according to donor intent on an annual basis. This includes preparing detailed tracking materials to set up the assignment process, communication with scholarship recipients upon assignment, and notifications to donors. Manage stewardship and reporting for the Hurvis Scholarship, including coordination of the Hurvis mentors and the Hurvis Scholars Support Fund.
- Serve as the primary point person for endowed and expendable scholarships. Work collaboratively with fundraisers and other advancement staff to set up these funds, work with and orient student recipients, maintain accurate records, and regularly connect donors and recipients through in-person meetings, digital visits, and written communication.
- Innovate with Lawrence University’s ThankView membership, our online platform dedicated to creating personalized, easy-to-record video messages for our donor and volunteer base. Spearhead video-based stewardship by organizing brainstorming sessions, sending video requests, editing text and video content, and finalizing each video campaign with project partners. Work with ThankView consultants to work efficiently and effectively within the platform.
- Regularly communicate with major donors, foundations, corporations, trustees, and other volunteer leaders. The associate director will be responsible for managing relationships and communicating with these important individuals. Sensitivity and an aptitude for working closely with donors/volunteers and other individuals important to the college is critical.
- Provide logistical support for and regularly participate advancement events that occur on campus and off, such as Reunion, Blue & White Homecoming Weekend, and donor stewardship events.
- Respond to special projects and other duties assigned when called upon.
- Occasional regional or national travel may be possible, as well as evening and weekend events on campus.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
The associate director will work most closely with the Advancement Team, particularly the Alumni and Community Engagement team. Additionally, the associate director will work with faculty, students and staff across campus and the college’s constituents—alumni, friends, parents, and Fox Valley community members.
The associate director must establish and maintain positive working relationships with other key offices, such as the president’s office, the provost’s office, finance, and financial aid. Additionally, the associate director will work directly with alumni, major donors, corporations and foundations and other individuals very important to the success of our advancement operation.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Bachelor’s degree in related area with an appreciation for private, liberal arts, residential college.
- Five or more years of donor relations/ advancement experience preferred.
- Outstanding writing skills.
- Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills with excellent attention to detail and ability to balance multiple projects.
- Strong analytical and technical aptitude
- Natural leader with outgoing attitude and interest in collaborating with and organizing committees and colleagues.
- Strong working knowledge of computers and experience with computerized database systems.
To apply for this job please visit lawrence.peopleadmin.com.