Director of Donor Engagement and Strategic Initiatives

Summary

Position Title

Director of Donor Engagement and Strategic Initiatives

Department

University Advancement

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Position Summary

The Director of Donor Engagement develops, implements, manages and assesses a comprehensive donor relations plan to enhance the advancement efforts of Jacksonville University and serves as the strategic Advancement partner to leadership on critical initiatives and projects for Jacksonville University. The scope of work includes donor relations and stewardship, events and related communications. The position reports to the Senior Director of University Advancement. The Director of Donor Engagement ensures a culture of gratitude and accountability to donors to Jacksonville University. This includes acknowledging and recognizing donors for their generosity; reporting to them on the use and impact of their philanthropic support; and helping to ensure their long-term engagement with the Institute.

Essential Job Duties

• Donor Engagement: Oversees the development of strategic and operational plans to thank and recognize University donors. The Senior Director oversees an integrated donor relations program that strategically targets all levels of giving and constituencies. They identify distinctive, visible and meaningful ways to thank and recognize donors, with an emphasis on the principal and major gift levels, working directly with prospect managers and members of the senior team to develop individual, customized donor engagement plans. This role will provide standardized and baseline donor recognition and engagement to all individuals. This position oversees the gift acknowledgment process and ensures a timely distribution of related letters, updated on a continual and relevant basis. This person will work with data management to implement action tracks related to stewarding donors at specific levels to feed field fundraisers that allows for uninterrupted donor connection with staff turnover. This position oversees the annual reporting of endowment performance. This role serves to increase the donor’s familiarity with specific areas of interest and with the university.
• Strategic Initiatives: Serves as the strategic Advancement partner to leadership on critical initiatives and projects for Jacksonville University, such as the College of Law and Palm Coast site location. Develops fundraising and engagement strategies for vital advisory boards within the University. Manages the University’s community engagement and sponsorship footprint strategically for the benefit of the campaign
  • Events: This position serves as the University Advancement contact for all donor engagement events working with the Office of Strategic Events and Campus Experience for implementation and logistics. The Senior Director develops and implements a strategy for the continuous enhancement of programs to engage, cultivate, and steward current and prospective donors. These include annual events to support the philanthropic efforts and overall mission of the Office of University Advancement including but not limited to, high-level cultivation and stewardship events for major gift donors and prospects, gala fundraising events, groundbreaking ceremonies, building dedications, and other system events.
  • Donor Communications: This role serves as the University Advancement contact for University Marketing Communications on all Advancement marketing and communications materials and content. This position will develop and implement electronic and printed materials related to campaign stewardship. This position will provide internal and external constituencies with campaign updates. This role will work with University marketing to have advancement goals reflected within social media. This position will provide University Marketing with newsworthy donor content as appropriate. Responsibilities include coordinating advancement recognition and stewardship publications.

Work Conditions

• Work is primarily indoors, but requires the incumbent to be in an outdoor environment when traveling between campus buildings or being off-campus.
• Standard office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Physical Requirements

• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and scientific equipment
• Near vision sufficient to read written communications and computer display screens
• Adequate hearing to communicate effectively in person and by phone

Prerequisites Required for Position

Minimum Education Requirement

• Bachelor’s Degree Required
• Master’s Degree Preferred
• Experience in Office management and personnel supervision
• Must have excellent writing skills
• Writing Test Required
• Experience in Non-profits and coordination of volunteers preferred

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

Physical Demands: Light physical demand.

To Apply

Please submit resume, three professional references, and Jacksonville University staff application to uajobs@ju.edu.