George Washington University
Associate Director, Strategic Donor Communications
George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Job Overview
The George Washington University's Division of University Advancement (UA) is seeking a strategic and experienced Associate Director, Strategic Donor Communications. This role plays a pivotal part in fostering a culture of philanthropy and supporting GW's mission of excellence in education, research, scholarship, and patient care. University Advancement leads the university's fundraising and alumni engagement efforts. Our work focuses on cultivating meaningful connections with alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, corporations, foundations, patients, and friends of GW.
Position Summary: The Associate Director, Strategic Donor Communications plays a critical role in designing and delivering meaningful, donor-centered communications that enhance donor engagement, build institutional trust, and drive donor retention. This position leads the development of multi-channel messaging strategies, including executive acknowledgments, seasonal touchpoints, and impact reporting, and manages GW's donor acknowledgment processes with a focus on timeliness, personalization, and gratitude. In close collaboration with leaders across marketing and communications, annual giving, principal giving, and planned giving, the Associate Director, Strategic Donor Communications develops and executes a year-round communications calendar that supports donor experience, pledge/campaign fulfillment, and long-term loyalty.
Responsibilities
Strategic donor communications: Lead the creation of high-impact donor messaging and content creation across all giving levels, ensuring alignment, consistency, and donor-centric voice across every touchpoint. Oversee the acknowledgment process organization-wide, managing content, systems, and strategy to ensure timely, meaningful expressions of gratitude. Craft senior executive acknowledgments, event talking points, and other strategic communications that build trust, deepen relationships, and encourage donor loyalty.
Multi-Channel Donor Engagement: Design and manage a proactive donor relations and communications calendar in collaboration with marketing and communications, annual giving, planned giving, and principal giving leadership. Develop and execute relationship-building touchpoints, including seasonal messages and giving society welcome packages, that reinforce gratitude, strengthen institutional engagement, and align with the appropriate phase in the donor's philanthropic journey.
Stewardship Reporting: Lead strategy, content development, and project management for the annual Philanthropy Impact Report and other campaign-related stewardship reports as directed. Produce custom impact reports for principal donors and prospects in collaboration with prospect managers and the Donor Relations team's stewardship reporting leadership.
Additional Duties
Perform other related duties as assigned. Flexibility is required as duties may evolve in response to organizational needs.
Minimum Qualifications Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study. 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
Proficiency with fundraising software, donor databases, and Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel).
Exceptional writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proven track record in writing and managing donor-centered communications across multiple channels and audiences.
Strong customer service orientation and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-phase projects and successfully meet tight deadlines.
High degree of discretion and sensitivity when handling confidential donor information.
Experience in data-informed messaging, impact reporting, and donor journey mapping.
Experience engaging with major and leadership-level donors.
Benefits GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
Job Details Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. College/School/Department: University Advancement Family: Dev & Alumni Relations Sub-Family: Donor Relations Stream: Individual Contributor Level: Level 2 Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time Hours Per Week: 40 Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:30-5:00pm Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes Employee Onsite Status: Hybrid Telework: Yes Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status. Internal Applicants Only? No Posting Number: S013963 Job Open Date: 12/16/2025
EEO Statement The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
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Position Summary: The Associate Director, Strategic Donor Communications plays a critical role in designing and delivering meaningful, donor-centered communications that enhance donor engagement, build institutional trust, and drive donor retention. This position leads the development of multi-channel messaging strategies, including executive acknowledgments, seasonal touchpoints, and impact reporting, and manages GW's donor acknowledgment processes with a focus on timeliness, personalization, and gratitude. In close collaboration with leaders across marketing and communications, annual giving, principal giving, and planned giving, the Associate Director, Strategic Donor Communications develops and executes a year-round communications calendar that supports donor experience, pledge/campaign fulfillment, and long-term loyalty.
Responsibilities
Strategic donor communications: Lead the creation of high-impact donor messaging and content creation across all giving levels, ensuring alignment, consistency, and donor-centric voice across every touchpoint. Oversee the acknowledgment process organization-wide, managing content, systems, and strategy to ensure timely, meaningful expressions of gratitude. Craft senior executive acknowledgments, event talking points, and other strategic communications that build trust, deepen relationships, and encourage donor loyalty.
Multi-Channel Donor Engagement: Design and manage a proactive donor relations and communications calendar in collaboration with marketing and communications, annual giving, planned giving, and principal giving leadership. Develop and execute relationship-building touchpoints, including seasonal messages and giving society welcome packages, that reinforce gratitude, strengthen institutional engagement, and align with the appropriate phase in the donor's philanthropic journey.
Stewardship Reporting: Lead strategy, content development, and project management for the annual Philanthropy Impact Report and other campaign-related stewardship reports as directed. Produce custom impact reports for principal donors and prospects in collaboration with prospect managers and the Donor Relations team's stewardship reporting leadership.
Additional Duties
Perform other related duties as assigned. Flexibility is required as duties may evolve in response to organizational needs.
Minimum Qualifications Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master's degree or higher in a relevant area of study. 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
Proficiency with fundraising software, donor databases, and Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel).
Exceptional writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proven track record in writing and managing donor-centered communications across multiple channels and audiences.
Strong customer service orientation and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-phase projects and successfully meet tight deadlines.
High degree of discretion and sensitivity when handling confidential donor information.
Experience in data-informed messaging, impact reporting, and donor journey mapping.
Experience engaging with major and leadership-level donors.
Benefits GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
Job Details Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C. College/School/Department: University Advancement Family: Dev & Alumni Relations Sub-Family: Donor Relations Stream: Individual Contributor Level: Level 2 Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time Hours Per Week: 40 Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:30-5:00pm Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes Employee Onsite Status: Hybrid Telework: Yes Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status. Internal Applicants Only? No Posting Number: S013963 Job Open Date: 12/16/2025
EEO Statement The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity 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.
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