Associate Director of Donor Relations

About the role

The Associate Director of Donor Relations is responsible for planning, implementing, and managing programs and events that acknowledge, recognize, and inform donors about their gifts to the college. They also plan, execute, and track donor journeys for various types of donors, oversee and implement milestone giving recognition processes, and foster lasting relationships with benefactors.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and manage donor acknowledgment, recognition, and communication programs and events.
• Create and oversee the execution of stewardship and recognition events such as the Christmas Festival Leadership Dinners, student-focused engagement events, legacy giving society events, fundraising campaign events, and donor-involved dedications of campus programs and spaces.
• Oversee and implement the milestone giving recognition process to recognize the College’s most important philanthropists at key moments in their giving history.
• Implement tiered stewardship and recognition for principal and major donors as assigned.
• Execute and monitor naming opportunities and agreements, plaques, and signage.
• Track and analyze metrics for events and programs using principles of continuous improvement to increase event and program effectiveness.
• Foster lasting relationships between the College and its benefactors by offering excellent customer service.
• Coordinate and contribute to the production of donor stories, impact features, and other communications that highlight the impact of scholarships, internship support, research funding, etc.
• Manage student workers for Donor Relations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Essential qualifications include a bachelor’s degree, 5+ years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, events management, project management, or relevant experience. Preferred qualifications include experience with donor events and communications, donor experience programs, and experience with Raiser’s Edge or similar customer relationship management software.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree; maintain a valid driver’s license and meet St. Olaf College driver authorization criteria with a satisfactory driving record.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in donor relations, fundraising, events management, project management, or relevant experience.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience with donor events and communications; experience with donor experience programs; experience with Raiser’s Edge or similar customer relationship management software.

Skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, ability to manage multiple tasks, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite are required. Proficiency in Raiser’s Edge or similar customer relationship management software is preferred.

Benefits

Salary range: $56,000 - $63,000. Comprehensive benefits package includes a 9% retirement match, contributions to eligible employees' health savings accounts, a significant tuition discount for employees' children, and generous paid time off.

Pay

$56,000 - $63,000 annually.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule with 1-2 days remote work per week, working on campus fully for the first three months, then transitioning to a standard 40-hour work schedule from Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Some evening and weekend hours required for special events and program needs.