Associate Director, Stewardship
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville – founded in 1871, a land-grant institution classified among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities for research activity. The campus is located in Fayetteville, a community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S., with a growing region home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and a strong focus on arts and quality of life.
About the role
The Office of Engagement ensures donors are stewarded, recognized, and acknowledged in meaningful ways that communicate the impact of their philanthropic support. This role inspires ongoing donor engagement to further the mission and goals of the Division of Advancement.
The Associate Director, Stewardship oversees the creation and coordination of acknowledgement letters, memorial and honor gift notifications, and leadership communications. The position collaborates with the Office of the Provost and colleges, schools, and units to update and account for endowed position holders, distinguished and university professors.
Reporting to the Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations, the Associate Director supports scholarship utilization, tracking, and reporting; develops financial and impact reports; and coordinates campus-wide stewardship. The role leads NOSS (Notice of Student Support) approvals and process, contributes to donor recognition within the University’s giving societies, and oversees Advancement’s stewardship matrix to ensure regular updates.
Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is essential, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial working relationships.
Responsibilities
- Oversee creation and coordination of acknowledgement letters, memorial and honor gift notifications, and leadership communications.
- Collaborate with the Office of the Provost and colleges, schools, and units to update and account for endowed position holders, distinguished and university professors.
- Support scholarship utilization, tracking, and reporting; develop financial and impact reports.
- Coordinate campus-wide stewardship efforts.
- Serve as the lead on NOSS (Notice of Student Support) approvals and process.
- Contribute to planning and execution of donor recognition within the University’s giving societies.
- Oversee Advancement’s stewardship matrix, ensuring regular updates to reflect changes and additions in the stewardship and donor relations program.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
- At least two years of full-time professional experience writing and editing external communication.
- At least one year of experience reviewing and synthesizing donor or gift data across databases or reporting systems.
- At least two years using a constituent relationship management (CRM) or fundraising database.
- At least one year of experience managing projects with multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and deliverables, including tracking work through completion.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in English, Communications, or related field from an accredited institution.
- At least three years of full-time professional experience writing and editing external communication.
- Experience using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and/or digital content platforms.
- Experience in a higher education setting.
- Graduate of the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville.
Skills
- Knowledge of University policies, guidelines, and processes.
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Relationship building, networking, and partnering.
- Project management.
- Etiquette, awareness of self and others, and teamwork.
- Ability to prioritize and organize efficiently while managing multiple projects.
- High-quality work output meeting critical deadlines and delivering excellent customer service.
- Collaboration, resourcefulness, and proactive problem-solving.
- Trustworthiness, strong personal integrity, work ethic, confidentiality, and discretion.
- Ability to adapt quickly, facilitate, and perform in a fast-paced environment.
- Punctuality and dependability.
Benefits
- University contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance.
- Tuition waivers for employees and their families.
- 12 official holidays.
- Immediate leave accrual.
- Choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.