Director of Stewardship

Job Summary:

We are currently seeking skilled and team-oriented applicants for the following position: Director of Stewardship. The Director of Stewardship provides strategic leadership and oversight for a comprehensive, institution-wide stewardship program. This role is responsible for designing, implementing and documenting a comprehensive stewardship system in three categories:

• High level donor stewardship: Ensures donors are systematically recognized and informed of their impact. This includes personalized stewardship recognition activities and plans
• Stewardship of donated funds: Oversees and reports on endowed and non-endowed funds and actively draws advancement services, university units and departments and fundraising team members into reciprocal accountability for accurate and timely expenditure of funds raised.
• Stewardship Ecosystem: Develops and maintains consistent, accurate, and appropriate mechanisms for stewarding and communicating with prospects and donors across all pipelines. Develops, approves and implements stewardship policies, procedures and participates in cross-functional policy and procedure development as needed. As a vital member of the University Advancement team, the Director of Stewardship ensures that stewardship efforts align with the mission and strategic priorities of the EWU Foundation, fostering a culture of long-term philanthropic support.

  EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

  The salary for this position is $60,301 up to $72,370. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

  In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits-briefing/benefits/insurance/

  Applications are open and accepted until recruitment is closed. Screening of applications will begin on May 18, 2026. A three-day notice will be provided prior to closure of recruitment. All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified.

  Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
  • At least three years of relevant experience in a development-related role in an educational environment, ideally in higher education.
  • Knowledge of CRM purpose and use.
  • Proven track record managing major donor stewardship or annual fund and commensurate stewardship program.
  • A strong sense of fundraising ethics and practices, and respect for confidentiality of donor information.
  • Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with a professional and empathetic approach.
  • Willingness to be part of a collaborative environment and work closely with colleagues and donors.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing.
  • Positive attitude, flexible approach, and a sense of humor.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that is supportive of the needs including universal access of our students, faculty, staff and the public

  Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience planning donor-facing events.
  • Higher education experience.
  • Experience managing a stewardship program.

  Other Skills and Abilities:

  Excellent written and oral communications skills
  High level organizational skills

  Job Duties:

  PERSONALIZED DONOR STEWARDSHIP

  • Develops customized donor stewardship plans and implements them with applicable colleagues.
  • Facilitates and organizes special donor recognition and engagement events for individuals and groups.
  • Identifies and prepares outreach information for action by university leadership in response to donor behavior including current giving and milestone giving.

  Percent of Time: 20

  INSTITUTION-WIDE STEWARDSHIP

  • Provides vision, leadership and direction to Office of Philanthropy and Annual Giving in partnership with Marketing and Communications, Advancement Services and Financial Aid & Scholarship regarding tactical stewardship initiatives and activities that ensure timely, accurate and strategic points of contact with donors.
  • Manages guidelines, procedures, acknowledgment and impact reporting for university-wide recognition of annual and lifetime giving and annual recognition event(s).
  • Develops and updates guidelines and procedures for university-wide philanthropic naming policies and donor recognition.
  • Works closely with Advancement Services to direct and implement best practices and procedures as it relates to gift processing, donor receipting, VIP special handling, accuracy of donor records, database reporting, and ensuring donor intent.
  • Manages the stewardship of endowed and non-endowed philanthropic funds, including quarterly oversight to ensure funds are utilized fully and proactively works with relative university partners to identify and resolve issues when funds are not utilized.
  • Leads and participates in planning major stewardship events, including the Red Tie Gala Partners with philanthropy team members to develop stewardship activities that help lay the framework for future giving, including special recognition events. Actively seeks stewardship trends and best practices.

  Percent of Time: 75

  OTHER

  • Manages stewardship and associated event budgets
  • Other duties as assigned

  Percent of Time: 5