Director of Donor Relations

The George Washington University Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) Division is seeking a Director of Donor Relations.

DAR is responsible for leading the university’s alumni and fundraising efforts and seeks to promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the university community, including alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, patients and other friends. Our goal is to advance GWs mission of excellence in education, research, scholarship, and patient care.

The George Washington University is strategically positioning resources to deepen donor relationships and engagement with the university. The Donor Relations team helps foster lasting relationships between GW and those who generously support the institution. As an advocate for donor interests, donor relations promotes shared responsibility and accountability through timely and motivating acknowledgements, stewardship reporting, donor recognition, and donor engagement practices and policies across the campus that target all levels of donor giving.

The Director will develop and implement an innovative university-wide donor relations program for all donors to GW. The Donor Relations team provides a comprehensive, donor-focused program that enriches a donor’s commitment to the university and motivates the involvement and investment of others.

The Director will manage a team that implements a best-in-class donor relations program at GW that thoughtfully and proactively cultivates relationships with new donors and stewards current donors in order to maximize donor retention and engagement. The Donor Relations team works to attract and retain donors to the university – by providing timely and accurate acknowledgements, ensuring donors are informed about the use of their gifts, and that they feel recognized and appreciated for their support and generosity.

Additional Duties:

•Develops, implements, and leads a comprehensive university-wide donor relations program that targets all levels of donor giving.

•Develops and implements procedures for cultivation and stewardship opportunities including impact of gift reporting (endowed, current use and capital funds), donor recognition and celebration events, gift acknowledgements, donor correspondence, communications, and other opportunities for donor engagement.

•Oversees campus-wide programmatic activities to ensure that stewardship policies and procedures are followed in an effective and timely manner.

•Manages one donor relations staff member and monitors additional university-wide stewardship activities.

•Collaborates with a variety of university stakeholders (AVPs, deans, faculty, financial aid, finance directors, and program directors) to ensure accurate information is collected for distribution to donors and university departments.

•Develops and implements processes for auditing and monitoring expenditure of funds from donor-restricted gifts and overall gift compliance.

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  Performs other work-related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 6 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree in a relevant area of study plus 4 years of relevant experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Outstanding editing, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven skills and ability to successfully manage complex, multi-phase projects from inception to completion and balance multiple concurrent priorities.
• Self-directed and results-oriented. Demonstrated focus on anticipating and meeting project deadlines.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal colleagues and university partners.
• Exercise a high degree of sensitivity in dealing with confidential donor information.
• Demonstrated experience in the planning and execution of special events.
• Previous experience working with major and leadership level donors.
• A strong customer service orientation is desirable as well as the ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups.
• Advanced technical skills and computer literacy, including fundraising systems and software, and proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel).
• Willingness to work nights and weekends as needed.

Apply to:  https://www.gwu.jobs/postings/92795

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.