Assistant Director of Stewardship

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.  

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations in the Development and Alumni Relations department, the Assistant Director of Stewardship is responsible for ensuring the acknowledgement, recognition and stewardship of gifts to Whitman College. The Assistant Director of Stewardship shares the impact of donor philanthropy and helps maintain best practices for donor stewardship, from fund communication to annual reporting, and from gift acknowledgements to impact reporting.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Donor Stewardship (75%)

• Write timely, personalized, and meaningful acknowledgment letters to diverse groups of donors, and acknowledge other special gifts.
• Manage the stewardship of scholarship endowments, including the student profile process for named scholarships, to share donors’ impact on students.
• Help with the development and implementation of a robust donor stewardship plan to ensure timely and periodic touches and contact with donors of different levels. 
• Facilitate interdepartmental communication on issues of stewardship and ensure proper recordkeeping of stewardship activities.
• Produce compelling endowment reports, impact reports, and other customized donor communications, showcasing the tangible outcomes of their generosity. 

Administrative Duties (15%)

• Compile and audit scholarship recipient information for scholarship endowment reports. 
• Help prepare materials for the Annual Report of Gifts, maintain endowment descriptions and web copy.  
• Provide support for additional administrative, functional, clerical, data entry, events, or other evolving tasks in the Development Office.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with donor stewardship best practices, applying new knowledge to enhance the donor stewardship program.

Copywriting (10%)

• Assist in writing copy for and/or edit solicitation and promotional pieces for the development office, including case statements, fundraising brochures, and other development materials.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Must be able to explain and/or demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• Exceptional written communication skills: demonstrated ability to write, edit, and proofread with precision, tailoring messages effectively for diverse audiences.
• The ability to identify and gather information from a variety of sources and to use that information to generate written materials that demonstrate accuracy, creativity, appropriate voice, and personalization for diverse audiences and/or individuals.
• Advanced knowledge of Google Workspace, and Microsoft Word and Excel, working knowledge of other Microsoft Office programs, and the ability to learn to use design templates, databases, software, and other office resources.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize and to be flexible in a fast-paced environment with numerous deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as well as part of a team in partnership with colleagues and other key stakeholders.
• The ability to contribute actively and positively to the College’s core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and accessibility, including the ability to communicate effectively and establish congenial working relationships with diverse individuals and groups, including staff, faculty, overseers and trustees, donors, volunteers, alumni, students, parents, and other friends of the College.
• Commitment to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree.
• 3 years of writing experience in a professional capacity. 
• OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience. Whitman values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience relating to fundraising and/or writing for higher education. 

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM–5 PM.
• Occasional travel for conferences.
• Evening or weekend hours a few times a year for department or College events. 

BENEFITS

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: 10 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.

Tuition Remission – Dependent Children.

Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.

Employee Assistance Program.

Learn more about benefits eligibility here. 

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin on March 21st, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. 

START DATE

April 28, 2025

Salary : $55,620 - $60,486