Senior Director, Donor Relations
About the role
Reporting to the Executive Director of Advancement Services, the Senior Director of Donor Relations provides strategic leadership for Pace University's donor relations, stewardship, donor recognition, and philanthropic impact programs. The Senior Director is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive donor relations strategy designed to strengthen donor retention, enhance the donor experience, increase donor loyalty, and support long-term philanthropic growth. The Senior Director serves as a strategic partner to Development Officers, Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Advancement Services, and University leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive donor engagement strategy that supports fundraising priorities and enhances the donor experience throughout the philanthropic lifecycle. Through personalized stewardship, impact communications, donor recognition, and data-informed engagement initiatives, the Senior Director strengthens donor loyalty, improves retention, maximizes lifetime philanthropic value, and advances the University's long-term fundraising and revenue growth goals.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive donor relations strategy to strengthen donor retention, enhance donor experience, increase donor loyalty, and support long-term philanthropic growth.
- Serve as a strategic partner to Development Officers, Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Advancement Services, and University leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive donor engagement strategy aligned with fundraising priorities.
- Provide personalized stewardship, impact communications, donor recognition, and data‑informed engagement initiatives to strengthen donor loyalty, improve retention, and maximize lifetime philanthropic value.
- Collaborate extensively with Planned Giving, Development Officers, Advancement Services, Alumni Relations, Financial Aid, Finance, University Events, Communications, Marketing, Academic Leadership, and senior University administrators.
- Lead organizational change, implement best practices, utilize data to inform strategy, and build strong partnerships that advance donor retention, engagement, and fundraising success.
Qualifications and Skills
- Strategic and collaborative leader.
- Exceptional communication, relationship‑building, and project management skills.