"Donor Relations Manager - University Libraries"

Details

Posted: 28-Jun-25

Location: Houston, Texas

Type: Full-time

Categories: Development, Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 494341

Department: University Libraries

Salary: $56,800 - $64,600

Description: Manages a comprehensive program to engage and recognize donors for their private support for the University of Houston. Establishes relationships and partnerships with donors through gift acknowledgement, donor recognition, events and other communication.

1. Develops, plans, and implements personalized stewardship initiatives, and coordinates with development officers to determine effective stewardship for major donors.
2. Designs and implements donor recognition stewardship events to connect and engage with donors.
3. Manages acknowledgements, condolences, and congratulatory communication for the President and Vice President for Development.
4. Provides customized gift impact reports for top donors.
5. Collaborates with colleagues to provide donor recognition through publications, general donor publicity, and donor honor rolls.
6. Supervise personnel and manages campus wide stewardship projects.
7. Utilizes the university donor database and technology tools to enhance donor relations programs.
8. Performs other job-related duties as required.

The Donor Relations Manager – University Libraries will be an integral part of a team-based approach to elevating fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives. The successful candidate will collaborate with the Dean of Libraries and the assigned Development Officer, as well as the Libraries Director of Communications and Director of Exhibitions and External Relations, to develop a strategic approach to donor and alumni engagement to enhance and support donor retention. A considerable portion of UH Libraries’ donor and stewardship efforts involves gifts-in-kind to Special Collections and Archives. This role will ensure the gift-in-kind process is managed in an effective and timely manner. This role also will help coordinate the development and implementation of the Dean’s Advisory Board and serve as the primary liaison for its members and other high-level volunteers. This position requires occasional evening or weekend work related to donor events and meetings. Some local or regional travel may be necessary.

Duties Specific to This Position:

1. Lead UH Libraries’ stewardship initiatives, from idea generation to design, implementation, and evaluation.
2. Create and deliver timely, personalized acknowledgement letters and updates to donors at all levels in collaboration with the Dean of Libraries.
3. Assist in developing impact statements, donor reports, briefings, and presentation materials for leadership including the Dean of Libraries and University Advancement.
4. Assist in managing proper stewardship of endowments and gifts.
5. Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, contact reports, and stewardship plans in coordination with the Development Officer.
6. Manage gift-in-kind workflows, with considerable attention to understanding the role of Libraries Special Collections and Archives in this process.
7. Partner with the Dean of Libraries to cultivate meaningful engagement of board members or other high-level volunteers and leverage their support for fundraising goals.
8. Support planning and execution of development-related events including donor receptions, lectures, and cultivation gatherings.
9. Collaborate with university partners to ensure coordinated donor experiences across campus initiatives.

Required Qualifications Specific to This Position: Experience in fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, advancement services, or nonprofit management; Experience working with boards, committees, or volunteers; Commitment to the mission and values of academic libraries and higher education.

Preferred Qualifications Specific to This Position: Experience in higher education, academic libraries, or cultural institutions; Demonstrated acumen in interacting with donors, alumni, faculty, and academic leadership; Proficiency with donor databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge, Salesforce) and Microsoft Office Suite.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Superb time management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities; Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Strong organizational skills with attention to detail; Capacity to be an effective team member and to work independently; Discretion, diplomacy, and professionalism in handling private and/or sensitive information.

MQ: Education: Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline is normally obtained through a formal, directly job-related 4 year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth specialized training program that is directly related to the type of work being performed. Experience: Requires a minimum of three (3) years of directly job-related experience.