Job Details

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Simmons University
  • Position Number: 2182770
  • Location: Boston, MA
  • Position Type: Development and Fund Raising


Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Main Campus - Boston, MA
R07453

Located in Boston's historic Fenway area, Simmons has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons University was one of the first higher education institutions to prepare women to become leaders and has evolved to become a university offering a women's undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.

You're joining our community at an especially exciting time as one of our strategic goals is to become the most inclusive campus in New England. You'll find that people who work here are truly committed to our mission of preparing students to become champions of social justice and leaders in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace. Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience.

As a University committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President, Advancement Operations, the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship (Director) leads the development and execution of the long-range and short-term strategic planning for the areas of donor stewardship including specific donor recognition programs and meetings, stewardship writing, as well as additional related projects. In addition, the Director will oversee the Donor Relations and Stewardship team.

Essential Responsibilities

Donor Management
  • Oversee all aspects of recognition, reporting and stewardship of major and Planned gifts including creation of funds and gift agreements to ensure philanthropy is used according to donor's wishes.
  • Manage standards, templates, and protocols for fund reporting that provide donors with timely, relevant reports demonstrating the impact and significance of their support in a meaningful and targeted way that will result in greater affinity for Simmons;
  • Create and maintain protocols for the recognition and stewardship of gifts including standards for recognizing gifts in publications, reporting templates, tracking named spaces, maintaining a lifetime giving wall, etc.
  • Conceive of cultivation and stewardship events that address donor interests while highlighting the strengths of Simmons faculty, staff, alumnae/i, and partners;
  • Engage President, senior administrators, trustees and lead volunteers as key partners in developing effective events.


Donor Communications
  • Create strategic and systematic plans to communicate with donors based on their level of support for the University (i.e. 1899 Society, John Simmons Society, major donors and prospects) utilizing all appropriate mediums (mailings, Simmons Network, email, etc.)
  • Focus on how relevant communications can assist the transition from annual donor to major and/or planned donor;
  • Collaborate with Advancement and University leadership to streamline processes and provide relevant, timely content that ensures coordinated approach to donor recognition and communications;
  • Participate in the execution of communications plans for high level prospects in the stewardship phase of the pipeline.
  • Assist in developing communication strategies around gift recognition including the tone, content, direction, and production of donor-related sections of marketing and communication materials;
  • Manage all aspects of highly functioning acknowledgement system that incorporates input from Deans, Vice President, and President, gift officers and other integral personnel;
  • Maximize Raiser's Edge capabilities and collaborate with Advancement Services team to achieve personalized, timely recognition of gifts.
  • Continually explore opportunities to improve and enhance systems


Program Leadership
  • Provide strategic leadership, and stewardship functions with a focus on reestablishing policies, protocols, and systems to both maximize fundraising results and promote an optimal experience for all donors;
  • Leverage potential of Raiser's Edge NXT database to support frontline work.


Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's in relevant
  • Minimum seven (7) years of job related experience in nonprofit development and/or donor relations;
  • Minimum three (3) years of supervisory experience;
  • Comprehensive knowledge of donor relations and stewardship practices
  • Experience in creating and implementing high-level cultivation and stewardship strategies and the ability to create meaningful donor experiences
  • Experience working in development communications and/or fundraising teams in the nonprofit or other related industry;
  • Excellent written, interpersonal and verbal communication skills; donor centric writing experience desired;
  • History of success developing and managing relationships with major donors, prospects, or clients';
  • Demonstrated ability to understand donor/prospects of their philanthropic goals and their connection with the University;
  • Interest and passion for the University mission and values;
  • Ability to handle multiple deadlines at one time
  • Understanding of philanthropy as it relates to higher education
  • Ability to use discretion in working with confidential and sensitive data


Required Application Materials:
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter


Salary Grade
S09

Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the "Resume/CV" box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).

Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual's community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices-at all levels, for all positions-ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.


To apply, visit https://simmons.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Simmons-Careers/job/Main-Campus---Boston-MA/Director-of-Donor-Relations-and-Stewardship_R07453

Located in Bostons historic Fenway area, Simmons College is a small, private, non-sectarian College which has educated students for enriching careers and purposeful lives since 1899. Working at Simmons means joining a collaborative, diverse and mission-driven community of educators and professionals.

We prepare students to be leaders for themselves, their communities and the world. Our faculty and staff members lead by example - sharing a commitment to excellence and putting the students first.