Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

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Position Summary:
Florida Atlantic University seeks a creative and motivated Advancement professional to fill a critical role on a relationship-focused, results-oriented, donor-centered advancement team.
The Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship role requires a creative, thoughtful fundraising professional to design a comprehensive, meaningful acknowledgment and stewardship program for major and leadership gifts across the university. This role’s core responsibilities are to develop and execute an annual calendar of strategic donor relations deliverables, communications, and engagement opportunities (including a future Campaign) that show appreciation for support and inspire donors to give at higher levels.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Design and implement a comprehensive donor relations program, including;
Define optimal donor journeys at established giving levels
Create tools to facilitate meaningful and personalized donor experiences, including impact and stewardship reports, digital assets, etc.
Implement a robust acknowledgment and stewardship program
Develop targeted recognition opportunities for established donor levels
Develop the voice for Florida Atlantic donor messaging, providing regular communication to the advancement team about University-wide milestones and happenings and ensuring the team receives updated presentation materials and email content
Work collaboratively and effectively with Foundation leadership and advancement team members to create and implement individualized stewardship plans for major prospects; serve as a trusted advisor across the university programs to develop, manage and execute stewardship programs for donors
Help train and educate Advancement and University staff on industry best practices in donor relations; work closely with staff across the University to instill and reinforce a culture of philanthropy
Work collaboratively with the advancement communications team to develop corresponding materials; ensure all donor-facing materials align with overarching University communications and that materials complement and elevate donor stewardship
Coordinate with the Director of Events and the Office of the President to ensure Foundation-wide event strategy aligns with the donor stewardship and communications calendars
Expand and manage the acknowledgment process, ensuring gifts are thanked by the appropriate individual(s) in a timely manner and recorded in the database
Continuously assess and adjust stewardship strategy as necessary to exceed donor expectations
Manage and develop an effective team, providing effective communication, leadership by example, guidance and resources to staff; evaluate staff performance regularly and ensure staff team is appropriately and effectively supported
Regularly report department performance, needs, and opportunities to the Assistant Vice President of Advancement Operations with quarterly updates to the AVP Schools and Units, AVP Strategic Philanthropy, and as needed, the VP of Institutional Advancement.
Get creative, design stewardship and communications strategies that excite and engage our community across Colleges and programs!
Successful Candidate Will Have the Following Characteristics:
Collaborative, goal-oriented, strategic, and highly motivated working style.
The ability to demonstrate leadership, take initiative, problem-solve, act independently and as a member of a team, successfully collaborate, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and prioritize.
The ability to demonstrate strategic thinking, good judgment, maturity, and personal integrity.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and ability to craft compelling language to demonstrate program value and impact and to communicate and collaborate effectively with a diverse campus community including senior administrators, faculty, staff, and students, as well as donors, prospects, alumni, and community leaders.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy to handle a broad range of high-level and sensitive situations with diverse personalities, and the ability to adeptly respond to challenges.
Able to work beyond traditional work hours and on occasional holidays. Ability to travel as needed and adjust working hours to meet requirements of special tasks and events.
Ability to translate academia-speak to diverse audiences.
FAU Benefits and Perks
If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers:
Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more.
State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans.
State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Sick Leave Pool Program.
Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion).
Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day
Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply).
For details on FAU's amazing offers visit us at https://www.fau.edu/hr/benefits/index.php
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Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience in development, stewardship, events, and/or communications; experience directly supporting donor relations preferred.
Ability to implement fundraising best practices while adapting for the uniqueness of the donor or program; experience in complex, multi-faceted organizations preferred.
Regarded as a trusted expert internally in the field of donor relations and stewardship.
Demonstrated success in managing a team towards achieving organizational goals.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize responsibilities effectively.
Collaborative team-player willing to work across departments to achieve the best possible results.
Proficiency in using standard computer applications, including word-processing, spreadsheet, CRM software, calendaring, email, and online applications, and a working knowledge of social media. Raiser's Edge experience is helpful.
Salary:
$100,000 - $120,000. Annually
Administrative, Managerial and Professional (AMP) FLSA Exempt
College or Department:
Division of Institutional Advancement
Location:
Boca Raton
Work Days and Hours:
Monday – Friday. This position will require travel and/or work outside of standard business days and hours related to donor activities and engagement.
Application Deadline:
2026-10-30
Special Instructions to Applicant:
**This recruitment may close without prior notice **
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Resume
Cover letter
OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED:
Final candidate will be required to have official, sealed transcripts and original NACES evaluation, if applicable, sent from their educational institution to Human Resources prior to the start of employment.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS REQUIRED:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.
REQUEST FOR ACCOMMODATIONS:
Individuals