Job Description:
The Assistant Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations must collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders throughout the Berklee community, including: the President and the Office of the President; Institutional Advancement; Finance; Student Financial Services; Student Enrollment and Engagement (SEE); Facilities; Academic Affairs; faculty, and others This position will also serve as the lead content creator for stewardship pieces about select high-profile funds and programs, and for select high-level donors.
The Assistant Director has three primary responsibilities: deepening engagement with current donors, creating and managing the stewardship materials for select donor funds, and supporting the Institutional Advancement donor-facing activities as directed by the leader of the Stewardship & Donor Relations team.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Collaboration

• Partner closely with Stewardship and Donor Relations team members to implement workflows that ensure donors are thanked, informed, and engaged in a highly effective and efficient manner regarding their support.
• Collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders throughout the Berklee community, including: colleagues in Institutional Advancement; the President and the Office of the President; the Conservatory’s Executive Director and Deans; Finance; Student Financial Services; Student Enrollment and Engagement (SEE); Facilities; Academic Affairs; faculty, and others in order to (a) help connect donors and prospects with key partners across campus, (b) obtain and repackage content and experiences that are of interest to donors, and (c) oversee the execution of donor-funded scholarships, programs, and initiatives and obtain narrative about their progress.

Donor Communications

• Manage robust communications efforts geared at demonstrating gratitude and gift impact to donors. Develop a plan to strategically and methodically deploy these efforts.
• Research and develop compelling and creative narratives in collaboration with campus partners that communicate the impact of donor philanthropy for stewardship reports, recognition and other written and digital materials
• Collect and share student thank you notes, ThankView videos, invitations to recitals/performances, notifications of student/faculty accomplishments, and more.

Planning and Strategy

• Partner with relationship managers to create and implement custom stewardship plans for select major gift donors. Determine short- and long-term strategies for keeping donors engaged and informed. Record these plans and Actions in Raiser’s Edge and generate regular reports to demonstrate progress.
• Creatively and authentically seek ways to welcome and engage all donors, especially those whose participation in philanthropy has not historically been centered.
• Develop metrics and systems to monitor outcomes across all areas of donor relations programming with a particular focus on donor retention, satisfaction and engagement.

Customer Service

• Field inquiries from donors, relationship managers, and campus partners and provide timely and excellent customer service.

Donor Recognition

• Partner with colleagues to deliver several donor-centric events per year, including the College’s Celebration of Scholarships Luncheon and the Conservatory’s Named Scholarship Tea.
• Steward the institution's donor recognition efforts including naming opportunities, honor rolls, and other efforts.
• Partner with IA colleagues and other campus leaders to manage and implement Berklee giving societies as directed by the leader of the Engagement team.

Other Duties As Assigned.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Proven background that is indicative of superior donor-centric programming.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in donor relations and stewardship at an educational institution, arts organization, non-profit, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated success developing strategic stewardship plans based on institutional and senior management priorities.
• Understanding of the fundamentals of philanthropy and the donor lifecycle.
• Proficiency in the use and understanding of relational databases (Raiser’s Edge experience a plus)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, Google Suite, scheduling and email/texting applications;
• Willingness to learn new programs and web-applications a must.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Exceptional writing, communication, and relationship-building skills with the ability to connect with a wide variety of audiences.
• Design experience in the Adobe creative suite or Canva is a plus.
• Demonstrated project management experience with the ability to see projects through from concept to completion.
• Ability to write for multiple signatories, including the President and other senior leaders across the organization.
• Superb attention to detail.
• Exceptional customer service abilities a must. Models emotional intelligence and self- awareness.
• Proactively seeks out ways to improve cultural competence. Builds diversity and inclusion values into the fabric of all aspects of the work and environment.
• Must have the ability to develop and sustain strong working relationships with Berklee leadership, administrators, faculty and colleagues within Institutional Advancement.
• Creative and resourceful. Develops innovative solutions when problem solving.
• Demonstrated track record of process improvement.
• Absolute discretion in the handling and maintenance of confidential donor information and files.
• Experience implementing systems and processes in the management of a high-performing donor relations team a plus.
• Maintains a highly professional demeanor with the ability to interact effectively with staff, board members, donors, vendors and other stakeholders.
• Is a thoughtful and effective communicator with the ability to be extremely well-organized while balancing several tasks.
• Must demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and the ability to work independently with minimal editorial oversight.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: May supervise IA student employees as needed.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Actively strives to foster and maintain a workplace climate that is supportive of all employees regardless of their identity, respectful of difference and genuinely open to multiple perspectives.
Office setting, hybrid modality with 3 days per week on campus. Some nights and weekends may be required.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:
We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, age, national origin, place of birth, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.
As part of this commitment, Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Human Resources Team at hroperations@Berklee.edu or call 617-747-2375.
Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution, community, and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*
Employee Type:Staff