"Stewardship Communications Specialist"

Overview

University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) is dedicated to soliciting the private funding necessary to support the strategic goals of the University in teaching, learning, and research. The personnel of UDAR work university-wide as well as within individual schools and colleges of the University to discover, motivate, cultivate, solicit, and steward alumni, parents, faculty, and friends for immediate, long-range, and future financial support, through gifts and pledges to the University, for critical operations such as student aid, faculty support, academic and research program development, and facilities and infrastructure. UDAR's endeavors raise funds for immediate University use and also for the University's endowment.

The Stewardship Communications Specialist is responsible for oversight of a tiered donor acknowledgment process that includes drafting, editing, and coordinating both template and highly customized gift acknowledgment letters on behalf of the University President, the Board Chair, and the Senior Vice President for Development. Draft acknowledgments to top donors that convey gift impact and gratitude, highlight the University's priorities, and reflect appropriate nuance in tone and messaging. Ensure accuracy and timeliness of all acknowledgments by fact-checking gift documentation, evaluating and monitoring the accuracy and efficiency of systems used for acknowledging donors, including generating metrics, and recommend better processes in support of these goals. Maintain the organization's style guide and advise colleagues on dean's acknowledgments and best practices in acknowledgment writing and related communications.

UDAR encourages work-life integration for our employees, therefore this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement.

Responsibilities

Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree in English, writing, or related academic discipline

Required Experience:

3+ years experience in Development, Alumni Relations, Stewardship, or Communications for a large institution, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with an exceptional eye for detail

Must have strong interpersonal communication skills and experience interfacing with senior level executives and their staff; ability to analyze and synthesize information and data from multiple sources to create clear, cohesive writing in a specific voice/tone

Proven ability to manage complex processes and competing deadlines independently with appropriate discernment

Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills and Google Suite equivalents

Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Experience working with a CRM or comparable database