What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engagement Specialist position at Ave Maria University?
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
Are you an enthusiastic communicator who loves connecting with people and building relationships? Ave Maria University is seeking an Engagement Specialist to join our Advancement team. In this important role, you’ll work closely with the Director of Donor Relations, following the guidance and direction of the Stewardship and Engagement Coordinator, to help create a personalized and impactful experience for our donors, alumni, and ambassadors. Your efforts will contribute to making our benefactors feel truly valued, appreciated, and connected to the Ave Maria University community.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Make engaging outbound calls to donors, fostering relationships and strengthening their connection to the University
- Build and maintain relationships with a group of assigned donors, fostering, cultivating, and stewarding connections to ensure they feel a true sense of belonging to our mission and the unique community that Ave Maria University provides to her students
- Assist with donor relations activities, ensuring that donors feel seen and heard throughout their giving journey
- Contribute strategic ideas to the stewardship plan, considering donor segmentation and generational preferences to create tailored engagement experiences
- Formulate donor workflow opportunities to ensure timely, consistent communication that keeps donors informed and involved
- Work closely with the Engagement Coordinator and Director of Donor Relations to identify opportunities for donor recognition and engagement based on donor history and interests
- Help conceptualize donor-facing materials and communications that reflect the unique motivations and giving patterns of different donor groups
- Regularly update donor records and engagement activities in our database to ensure that communication is seamless and relevant
Location: Ave Maria University, on-campus in Ave Maria, FL (no remote)
Full-Time: 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM; open to 20-25 hours part time Mon-Fri between 8AM-6PM for the right candidate
Compensation: Competitive hourly rate, commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and 401(k) for full-time employees
This essential entry-level opportunity plays a key role in shaping donor engagement efforts and will provide a dynamic, collaborative environment where you can grow your skills and make a lasting impact on Ave Maria University’s mission.
Ready to build meaningful connections and ensure our donors feel valued and integral to our mission? Apply today!
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred, or equivalent experience.
EXPERIENCE:
- Educational background in Communications, Marketing, Business, Nonprofit Management, or related fields would most likely be successful in this role
- Background in retail, sales, fundraising, or customer support, demonstrating strong customer service and relationship-building skills
- Knowledge of fundraising strategies and donor stewardship practices is a plus
- Experience in a higher education or non-profit environment is desirable
- Professional writing experience, including report preparation and donor communications
- Experience with databases and CRM tools for managing donor relations and engagement
CERTIFICATION: N/A
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills for professional donor interactions
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a collaborative mindset
- Demonstrated willingness to build and maintain relationships with the donor community
- Strong initiative, team-oriented and project management skills, with attention to detail
- Experience with Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel
- Alignment with and support for Ave Maria University’s Catholic mission
PHYSICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Requires ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; the ability to stand, walk and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10 - 20 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, type and perform data entry, visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read technical information, ability to hear in order to answer telephones and to communicate verbally, and the ability to sit for extended periods of time.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed indoors with minimal safety hazards, and requires seated, standing, and movement work.
