Director of Stewardship & Communications

Company: Assumption University

Job Location: Worcester, Massachusetts

Category: Development and Fundraising

Type: Full-Time

Description

In support of the mission of the University, the Director of Stewardship and Communications is responsible for leading and implementing stewardship initiatives, including programs, events and communications that engage and recognize donors to the University. The focus of the role is expanding the current stewardship program especially with leadership level donors. An important facet of this role is the management of key events including the President's Council Dinner and the Scholarship Brunch. Individualized stewardship for leading donors will be coordinated with Advancement staff, with the Director taking responsibility for execution of plans.

The successful candidate will oversee Advancement's communication efforts and guide both internal and external outreach from the office. This position will oversee the Manager of Digital Communications and work closely with other areas, specifically Annual Giving and Alumni & Donor Engagement, in coordination all communications efforts. She/he will have a positive, can-do attitude and possess the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. She/he needs to be able to juggle a wide variety of tasks and projects simultaneously, make decisions independently, as appropriate, and always position Advancement and Assumption in the best way possible. She/he should have a deep understanding of philanthropy and the impact that it can make on higher education and enjoy working with a wide variety of personalities and work styles.

Accountabilities

• Provide leadership, planning, direction and management of all stewardship initiatives, including coordination with the Vice President for University Advancement and the President's Office.
• In consultation with University Advancement leadership, identify strategies that best support donor stewardship appropriate to major donors.
• Utilize and engage campus partners (President's Cabinet, Deans, Department Chairs, faculty, coaches, etc.) in the stewardship process as needed.
• Supervise the Manager of Digital Marketing and serve as Advancement's liaison with the University's Integrated Marketing team.
• Create donor stewardship communications as required. This includes individualized recognition through signage and plaques, acknowledgments and impact reports to demonstrate the outcomes of philanthropy at Assumption and marketing events/programs.
• Manage signature stewardship events. This includes working with campus partners (ex., President's Office, dining services, building & grounds), disseminating event information with the SAVP, VP and President's office, tracking metrics to reveal a pattern of attendance, ROI, etc. for all events, and providing follow-up to attendees as appropriate.
• Coordinate stewardship of University's scholarship program with a focus on connecting award recipients with their scholarship donors to deepen the connection with Assumption for both the student and the donor.

Qualifications

• Must be willing to contribute actively to the mission of the University as well as show an understanding of and a respect for the Catholic and Assumptionist identity of Assumption University.
• Five to seven years' experience in donor relations and/or stewardship and communications, preferably in higher education.
• Bachelor's degree required
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constitencies. This includes being a good listener and thoughtful questioner.
• Ability to direct and manage volunteers, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments
• Conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare reports and other materials
• Exercise good judgement, to demonstrate and understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others
• Maintain confidentiality
• Adjust priorities as necessary, independently as well as in conference with supervisor
• Foster effective working relationships within a team environment, leading by example
• Apply and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Scope

Interacts with the President's Office, University Deans, administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, donors, and friends of the University.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires: Sitting, standing, walking, and bending. Use of a computer keyboard and computer screen for extended periods. Close vision and the ability to adjust visual focus. Manual dexterity.

Mental Demands

The mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Examples of mental demands include: