Stewardship and Donor Relations Assistant/Associate Director

Stewardship and Donor Relations Assistant/Associate Director

Company: Eastern New Mexico University

Job Location: Portales, 88130

Category: Development and Fundraising

Type: Full-Time

Salary: Depends on Qualifications

Location: Main Campus - Portales, NM

Job Type: Full time permanent

Job Number: 2026-00040

Department: Advancement and Public Relations

Division: ENMU Foundation

Opening Date: 03/17/2026

Position Overview

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of the Annual Giving and Engagement Director, the Assistant/Associate Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations provides strategic leadership for university-wide donor stewardship initiatives. This role develops, implements, and executes comprehensive stewardship and donor recognition strategies designed to strengthen relationships and encourage sustained philanthropic investment at all giving levels.

The Assistant/Associate Director plans and executes strategic cultivation and outreach initiatives, oversees gift acknowledgment processes, and develops impact reports that communicate the value of donor support. The position collaborates with Advancement, Public Relations, campus partners, and senior leadership to ensure consistent, meaningful engagement and recognition.

Serving as a liaison to senior leadership regarding donor gifts, the Assistant/Associate Director will help develop and manage individualized stewardship plans for top donors and guide constituents through a strategic engagement journey that supports renewed and increased giving. The position also manages stewardship tracking and reporting within the Advance CRM to inform strategy and measure effectiveness.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a key partner in implementing university-wide stewardship policies and procedures with emphasis on acknowledgments, recognition, and impact reporting to enhance engagement and strengthen donor relationships.
• Research, draft, and edit accurate and compelling donor correspondence, narrative reports, and donor summaries.
• Collaborate with campus departments to increase donor satisfaction, encourage continued and increased giving, and optimize engagement opportunities.
• Create gift acknowledgments and other stewardship-related correspondence in collaboration with executive leadership, faculty, and other stakeholders in adherence to the Stewardship Matrix and 1Roo and university brand standards.
• Working closely with the Advancement leadership, develop and maintain a university-wide inventory of philanthropic naming opportunities for facilities, programs, and departments while ensuring the approval process complies with university policy and naming requirements.
• Share responsibility for managing the donor database by maintaining data integrity, reporting, and measuring outcomes of initiatives and programs.
• Regular and predictable attendance required
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements:

Stewardship and Donor Relations Assistant Director:

A bachelor's degree is required; a degree or emphasis in sales, marketing, persuasive writing, or fundraising is preferred. A minimum of three years of experience in developing marketing materials and reports in a dynamic, collaborative environment is required.

Stewardship and Donor Relations Associate Director:

A bachelor's degree is required; a degree or emphasis in sales, marketing, persuasive writing, or fundraising is preferred. A minimum of five years of experience in developing marketing materials and reports in a dynamic, collaborative environment is required. Direct experience in higher education advancement is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when working with high-level constituents and handling confidential information.
• Experience with donor databases and CRM systems and data reporting, with high proficiency in MS Office Suite and general technological proficiency with project management software, as well as database management.
• Knowledge of higher education advancement and stewardship.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple time-sensitive tasks with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
• Intellectual curiosity and interest in the impact of higher education on the lives of students and families.
• Willingness to be a team player while maintaining responsiveness, adaptability, and composure in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to assist a diverse student population in a positive and supportive manner.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to anticipate and respond to donor and stakeholder needs.
• Experience in planning and managing events.

Working Conditions

Physical Demand and Working Conditions:

Work is generally performed during standard business hours, with some evening and weekend work required. Work is sedentary in nature and, at times, requires exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a consistent amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Essential Functions: As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, these include the aforementioned duties, responsibilities, minimum job requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as physical demands and working conditions. This is not necessarily an all-inclusive listing.

Additional Information

Condition of Employment: Must pass a pre-employment background check.

Electronic Application Instructions: Electronic applications should be submitted through the "Apply" link at the top of this page. Please attach the following required documents to your electronic application:

Required Documents:

• Letter of interest
• Resume
• Contact information for three references (blind or off-list reference checks may be conducted on finalists)
• Transcripts (unofficial for application purposes)

Please ensure that you attach all required documents, even if you have applied for other positions at ENMU, as the committee does not have access to those records.