Emory University

Senior Director of Donor Relations - Advancement and Alumni Engagement

Emory University • $110K — $130K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; seven years experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, or alumni engagement, including leadership roles.
  • Familiarity with project management, budgets, and financial reports; fluency in Microsoft Office, databases, and CRM systems is essential.
  • Strong leadership qualities with excellent problem-solving, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to handle ambiguity and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a complex environment.
  • High level of professionalism and confidentiality with sound judgment and discretion.
  • Proficient in both written and verbal communication, with skills in effective presentations.
  • Experience in philanthropic fund management and reporting, with a strong understanding of data and financial information.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the development and implementation of strategies to enhance donor relationships.
  • Coordinate donor acknowledgment, stewardship efforts, donor recognition, and engagement events.
  • Manage the Donor Relations team, setting goals and evaluating program effectiveness.
  • Partner with Emory’s schools to design projects for significant donors and prioritize programs.
  • Represent Donor Relations in meetings and events across various constituencies.
  • Identify and manage data needs for donor programs, ensuring effective CRM reporting and analysis.
  • Oversee the strategic planning for the department and implement data-driven decision-making strategies.

Benefits

  • Remote work flexibility with a required weekly onsite presence at Emory University based on business needs.
  • Opportunity to create and oversee elevated stewardship plans for principal level donors.
  • Access to professional development and continued learning in donor relations best practices and trends.
Full Job Description
Description

The Division of Advancement and Alumni Engagement utilizes resources, technology, and business for the purpose of constituent engagement, donor research and solicitation, and stewardship throughout Emory University and Health Systems. Our mission is to inspire and steward meaningful, lasting relationships that elevate engagement and giving to fulfill Emory's mission to serve humanity. We are currently seeking a Senior Director of Donor Relations.

The Advancement Strategy and Services teams provide operational services, strategic strategies, and stewardship for the department of Principal and Transformational Philanthropy. This position will report to the Executive Director of Advancement Strategy - Principal and Transformational Philanthropy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Leads, develops and implements strategies and programs designed to enhance and strengthen Emory's relationship with donors and significant donor prospects.
  • Programs may include donor acknowledgment, stewardship reporting, donor recognition, donor engagement, or events.
  • Leads Donor Relations team and sets goals and strategies for responsible programs, and oversees the evaluation of outcomes and effectiveness.
  • Acts as strategic partner to Emory's schools and units to design and implement projects for priority donors and programs.
  • Represents the program with various constituencies, meetings, and events.
  • Determines data needs for programs including data collection, data management, analysis and high level reporting for projects, as well as how data should be collected, routed, analyzed, and reported in CRM system.
  • Leads annual/strategic planning for the department.
  • Oversees the implementation of strategies based on data-driven decision making.
  • Utilizes best practices to inform the development of an overall donor relations strategic plan.
  • Develops strategy for and oversees creation of individualized stewardship plans for high-level donors as well as effective university-wide stewardship activities.
  • Supervises staff.
  • Performs related duties as required.

ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS: In addition to the duties outlined above, the Senior Director may be required to:
  • Create elevated stewardship opportunities for principal level donors and prospects.
  • Design, review, and validate stewardship data for donor funds and reports.
  • Maintain knowledge/expertise of best practices and current trends for constituent giving and donor relations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • A bachelor's degree and seven years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, or alumni engagement with supervisory, leadership or management experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Successful candidates will possess extensive experience managing projects, programs, budgets, and financial reports, working with various technologies including advanced knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, database and project management software, and CRM systems.
  • Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving skills with attention to detail, the ability to work with ambiguity, navigate a complex work environment, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Possess a high level of professionalism and commitment to confidentiality with sound judgment and discretion.
  • Experience leading teams, working independently as well as collaboratively to achieve goals, with a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as effective presentation skills.
  • Experience with philanthropic fund management and reporting, including understanding of data and financial information.
  • Prior experience in advancement, fundraising, alumni engagement, non-profit, or a university setting.
  • Capacity to lead and develop a team's skills through effective feedback and coaching, motivating and empowering colleagues while being institutionally minded, strategic, and impactful.
  • Flexibility to accommodate changing priorities and deadlines.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs. Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

About Emory University

Emory University is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. The university was founded in 1836 as Emory College and has since grown into a leading research institution with nine academic divisions. Emory University is known for its liberal arts college, professional schools, and biomedical research. The university has a diverse student body and offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. Emory University is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the United States and is a member of the Association of American Universities.
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