DIRECTOR, DONOR RELATIONS

Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and management of a donor relations program focused on leadership, major, and principal gift prospects.

Manage a comprehensive donor relations program for all donors. Oversee the maintenance of data, the tracking of documentation and correspondence with donors for endowment and scholarship accounts and restricted use gifts. Responsible for overseeing and providing leadership around the gift receipting and donor acknowledgement processes.

Oversee donor recognition events, engagement events, and associated communications. Work with all areas of Philanthropy and Engagement to strategize, develop, and execute development-focused, donor related and presidential events (on-campus, off-campus, and in virtual formats) resulting in the positive strategic success of development, donor, and alumni relations, including campaigns, dedications and groundbreakings. Manage the logistics, planning and implementation of events. Develop and implement processes and procedures to streamline the event planning, event management process, post-event wrap-up, and reporting. Develop policies and procedures for all programs managed.

The director will have frequent contact with the prospect managers, annual fund staff, strategic marketing and communications staff, advancement services, student financial services, financial services, academic deans, and other staff and faculty.

SUPERVISION

This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Philanthropy, receives guidance and direction from the Vice President of Philanthropy and Engagement, and supervises one associate director and student assistants.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversee and provide direction to a team responsible for the management of donor-funded scholarship; the online memorial tribute; donor relations signage on campus; and events and programs that engage, and provide recognition to our alumni, parents and family members, friends, faculty, and staff throughout the cycles of their relationships with the college.
2. With the associate vice president, partner with College Relations and Communications on the development and implementation of a strategic advancement communications plan, which encompasses development, donor relations, and alumni and family relations. 
3. Develop, manage, and document a comprehensive stewardship program for all donors, from broad-based to principal gifts. Develop, implement, and monitor donor relations policies and procedures.
4. Oversee the drafting and approval of new fund and gift agreements. Develop and maintain a comprehensive endowment and donor relations data, utilizing ThankView, Raiser’s Edge and Fun-driver.
5. Develop, demonstrate, and promote multicultural awareness and contribute to cultivating an inclusive, diverse, and respectful College community. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion as a college priority, communicate to employees an expectation of behavior that is civil and inclusive when interacting with all staff, faculty, students, and visitors and promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment.
6. Develop donor relations strategies for all donors and relatives of donors (when appropriate) of leadership gifts plus, planned, major, planned, and principal gifts, including those for endowments, capital projects, and restricted use, in consultation with prospect managers when appropriate. Oversee donor relations and recognition of key donors and work with the appropriate program managers to provide guidance on recognition programs.
7. Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for donors at all levels, including the implementation of the receipt and acknowledgment model for gifts.
8. Oversee the preparation and distribution of the Annual Impact report for all donors.  Determine which donors will be featured each year to highlight the significant gifts which are making a difference for Ithaca College.  Work closely with marketing on the design of the report.
9. Provide support and oversight to ensure consistent branding and messaging for programs such as the Blue & Gold Society and the Friends of Ithaca College.
10. Oversee the preparation of regular reports to donors and internal audiences, in collaboration with student financial services, financial services and school/college officers. For endowments, maintain fund data that includes the background of the donor(s), dates of the initial gift for each endowment and successive gifts, purpose of the endowment, current market value of the endowed fund, and annual use of the endowment income for reporting purposes.
11. Oversee all donor relations signage on campus, including drafting appropriate language, signage production, and installation. Works collaboratively with the Director of Alumni and Family Engagement to oversee the strategy, development and management of events and programs to ensure consistent experiences, systems, and processes.
12. Post event information and develop on-line event registrations; send broadcast emails; create digital and print event invitations; manage programs, attendance tracking and nametags; develop briefing materials and post-event surveys. Coordinate all event logistics for donor relations events, including invitation, printing, production, and mailing list preparation.
13. Serve as the point communicator to the Division of Philanthropy and Engagement regarding development, donor relations and presidential events. Plan the ongoing strategy for development, donor relations and presidential events. Manage the implementation of that events plan. Work with Advancement Services staff to generate event participation statistics and reports and utilize this data in evaluating events and strategizing subsequent events.
14. Coordinate event staffing schedule for events. Confirm event attendance of faculty, staff, volunteers, the President, and senior administrators. Ensure a detailed event packet is prepared and provided to appropriate attending staff to include logistical information. Work with the Director of Strategic Planning to create briefing materials for the President and senior administrators as appropriate. Attend and participate in events as part of assigned staffing.
15. Review donor relations contracts; negotiate appropriate rates and pricing for services and arrangements for facilities support. Work with vendors to secure appropriate photographic, audio visual, venue and catering options. Work with appropriate colleagues to confirm and coordinate participation of alumni or student conductors, musicians, performers and other entertainers involved with each advancement event. Ensure travel and lodging arrangements are made as necessary.
16. Maintain records in Razor’s Edge through timely and accurate entry of data as appropriate. Use Razor’s Edge to prepare lists and reports, and compile information as requested.
17. Oversee the training and scheduling of student assistants. Partake in training and orientation of new staff or temporary workers. Assist in hiring, training, scheduling, and providing guidance to student employees.
18. Oversee budget proposal preparation to support the needs of development, donor relations and presidential events in conjunction with Associate Vice President of Philanthropy and Vice President of Philanthropy and Engagement.
19. Maintain calendar, and schedule appointments and meetings as requested. Prepare meeting materials, reserve meeting spaces, and arrange for meals and refreshments as needed. Manage meeting responses.
20. Serve as an administrative user responsible for updating and maintaining BBNC, the online alumni community. Assist alumni, students, and staff in using the online community; post events and send broadcast e-mails through BBNC.
21. Participate in Donor Relations networking opportunities and webinars; consume relevant resources to actively stay up to date on industry research and trends.
22. In collaboration with the Director of Principal Gifts and other prospect managers, develop custom stewardship plans for our top-rated donors and prospects.
23. Participate in and support other events sponsored by the Division of Philanthropy and Engagement.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor degree, Master’s Degree preferred, and a minimum of five years’ experience in marketing, development, alumni relations, communications, donor relations or related field; ability to work independently, excellent attention to detail, self-motivated, strong organizational, written and verbal communications skills; ability to plan, develop and implement activities, programs and special events; previous experience working with and supervising volunteers; ability to cultivate an inclusive, diverse and welcoming environment; ability to treat all people equitably and with a sensitivity and awareness to cultural difference; demonstrated ability to hold others accountable for behavior that is supportive of a community that is diverse and inclusive; flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and some travel is required; a working knowledge of various word processing, spreadsheet, and database software applications are required. Experience working in a college or university setting is preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Most of the work of the incumbent is carried out within a generally accessible, safe, indoor environment, with the availability of partial remote work. The incumbent will be required to work some evening and weekends and may be required to attend various college functions during and after normal business hours, which may result in a need to travel to and from campus events, held both on and off campus. Some events may be held in an outdoor environment where the incumbent may be exposed to inclement weather. The incumbent will be required to operate a personal computer and associated equipment such as computer printers and other office equipment used in the day-today operations 

ABOUT ITHACA COLLEGE

As an employee at Ithaca College, you’ll get much more than a competitive salary and the traditional advantages. We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with the most comprehensive benefits possible, including work/life balance, generous paid time off policies, career-enhancing trainings, employee and dependent tuition assistance, and opportunities to give back to the community. Beyond benefits, you’ll enjoy the kind of uniquely rewarding work environment that can only be found in a vibrant college community.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

To apply, please visit the Ithaca College Employment portal (https://ehwy.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/1169/?utm_medium=jobshare) and submit cover letter, resume and list of three professional references.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.