What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director of Donor Relations position at St. Norbert College?
St. Norbert College (SNC), a nationally-ranked, private, Catholic, liberal arts college is seeking an Associate Director of Donor Relations. This position plays a key role in advancing the college’s mission by fostering meaningful, long-term relationships with donors. This role is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive donor stewardship program that enhances engagement, celebrates donor contributions, and ensures alignment with the college’s strategic goals. Through personalized stewardship, impactful recognition, and strategic event management, the Associate Director will help to deepen donor relationships and cultivate continued support for the college’s initiatives.
4. Individualized Stewardship Plans
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Note: The College may consider any equivalent amount of credentials, licenses, training, or experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Key responsibilities:
1. Development and Management of Memoranda of Understanding
- Lead the creation, standardization, and formalization of MOUs that define the relationships and commitments between the college and its donors.
- Develop processes and partnerships with financial aid, finance, students, and campus departments to report annual impact of gifts.
- Monitor and report on the growth and utilization of endowed funds, ensuring alignment with the college’s strategic goals.
- Serve as a campus contact for donors regarding endowment information.
- Prepare comprehensive yearly reports for donors, highlighting the impact of their contributions and fostering continued engagement.
2. Donor Recognition and Engagement Events
- Strategically develop, manage, and execute a range of donor recognition events for the college’s highest contributors, including naming opportunities, dedications, and celebratory functions that honor donor contributions.
- Coordinate all aspects of donor events, including vendor management, leadership participation, messaging, and engagement with St. Norbert College leadership.
- Oversee memorial and in-honor recognition opportunities, creating meaningful experiences that celebrate donor legacies across campus.
3. Stewardship and Acknowledgment
- Create and implement consistent, accurate, and personalized stewardship communications, including gift acknowledgments, impact reports, and publications.
- Ensure that donor engagement materials reflect the college’s mission and values, reinforcing the significance of each donor’s contribution.
4. Individualized Stewardship Plans
- Collaborate closely with College Advancement staff to establish tailored stewardship plans for major donors and specific donor groups, ensuring a personalized approach to donor relations.
- Evaluate and implement donor recognition policies and processes to assist philanthropic advisors with donor management, cultivation and engagement in the pursuit of additional philanthropic gifts.
- Regularly assess the effectiveness of these plans and adapt strategies to enhance donor engagement and retention.
5. Additional Responsibilities
- The Associate Director will be a key ambassador for the college’s mission, helping to ensure that donor relations are not just transactional but also reflect the college’s commitment to community, education, and impact.
- Manage the stewardship budget, tracking expenditures and ensuring responsible use of funds.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in marketing, fundraising, special events, or a related area requiring strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse campus environment or commitment to do so as an employee of St. Norbert College.
- This position requires a high degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and the ability to interact with a variety of entities and individuals to significantly increase the visibility of the College.
- Incumbent must be capable of conveying appropriate messages and representing the College to encourage and facilitate interest in and support of the College’s mission and goals.
- This position has a significant effect on the College’s ability to engage current and future donors in a meaningful way and is responsible for enhancing the College’s ability to identify, establish, create, and maintain strong relationships.
- Strong organizational skills with a track record of successfully managing events, programs, and projects from inception to completion.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate and resolve conflict professionally.
- Proficient multitasking capabilities, able to prioritize effectively and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on clarity and professionalism.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Workday, and the ability to adapt to new technologies and software as required.
- Exceptional judgment, tact, and discretion when handling confidential information.
Note: The College may consider any equivalent amount of credentials, licenses, training, or experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Benefits package:
The College offers an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance; retirement plan; paid time-off and tuition waiver. For more information, please visit:
https://www.snc.edu/hr/workinghere.html
.
Application instructions:
Applications received by Friday, May 16 will be ensured full consideration. However, applications will continue to be accepted until the position has been filled. Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application.
St. Norbert College (SNC), a Catholic, Norbertine and Liberal Arts College provides an educational environment that fosters intellectual, spiritual and personal development. As the only Norbertine institution of higher learning in the world, our roots, traditions, and commitments create a unique and enriching educational experience for our students.
At SNC, our commitment to communio – the Norbertine ideal of a community united as one – is grounded in the principles of dignity, truth and justice. Consistent with these principles, St. Norbert is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.
We seek those who will embrace our mission and commitment to building a vibrant, diverse and spiritually engaged community (
Exempthttps://www.snc.edu/mission/gettingtoknow.html
).
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the job if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the job. Percentage of time may vary widely depending on the needs of the position during any particular time period. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
