Senior Director of Donor Engagement & Stewardship

Senior Director of Donor Engagement & Stewardship

Job no:
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: VC-University Advancement
Pay Grade: 35
Date opened: 23 Mar 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 17 Apr 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

The Senior Director of Donor Engagement and Stewardship within University Advancement is a senior member of the University Advancement team entrusted with developing and leading a comprehensive, centralized donor engagement and stewardship strategy for donors of every size and longevity at UMass Boston. They are responsible for orchestrating a multifaceted approach to donor relations that drives increased philanthropic support and advances our institutional goals.

Responsibilities

• Strategic development and leadership: Envision, plan, manage, and execute comprehensive donor engagement and stewardship programs that weave together forward‑thinking initiatives to maximize fundraising impact.
• Innovate and evolve programs aimed at acknowledging, stewarding, and reporting the impact of every university donor, enhancing relationships, and increasing contributions.
• Develop engagement and acknowledgment opportunities for the university’s four recognition societies, endowed fund households, and named current‑use fund households.
• Support stewardship responsibilities of gift officers by establishing and coordinating individualized stewardship plans, reports, events, and gifts.
• Establish and oversee internal policies, procedures, and guidelines for the proper acceptance, administration, and recognition of gifts.
• Partner with Advancement Services and Finance Operations to develop systems, protocols, and policies that promote strong, innovative, and responsive stewardship and donor relations operations.

Impact Reporting and Communication

• Lead annual reporting cycles including endowment reports and scholarship impact reports; collaborate on curated additional individualized reports for gifts outside annual planned communications.
• Oversee donor communications and engagement programs across recognition events, impact reporting, stewardship communications, and continuous cultivation strategies.
• Monitor and manage the administration of annual and endowed fund scholarships; co-administer online platforms for student aid applications and thank‑you materials.
• Collaborate in the creation of annual endowment and impact reports, impact emails, thank‑you videos, and mailed communications.
• Oversee the creation of timely, relevant, and personal Chancellor acknowledgment letters.
• Communicate professionally and frequently with Deans, Vice Chancellors, Associate Deans, and department chairs in all benefiting colleges and departments regarding named gifts, fund purposes, and stewardship expectations.

Donor Recognition and Engagement

• Recognize donor contributions through appropriate societies, events, mementos, and signage on campus.
• Develop and execute an annual stewardship matrix of outreach and activities to ensure consistent communication and engagement opportunities across donor segments.
• Oversee the production of signature donor engagement events, ad‑hoc donor campus visits, and recognition society‑based events.
• Oversee the ongoing maintenance and management of the Founders’ Circle recognition program.
• Co-produce and maintain the use of welcome materials and informational kits for our four recognition societies and endowed fund donors.

Major Gifts Solicitation and Management

• Carry a portfolio of 50 perpetually stewarded donors and serve as primary or secondary prospect manager for donors creating named funds in tribute of loved ones.
• Coordinate with Advancement colleagues to devise specific strategies and timetables for successful solicitation and stewardship of individuals.
• Craft stewardship plans for major and principal gifts, ensuring proper stewardship and reporting to donors across campus and within the UMass Foundation system.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree is required; Master’s degree preferred. Seven‑ten years of advancement experience, preferably in higher education, is required. Knowledge of donor relations trends, special project management, and experience with Sungard trust system, Advance, PeopleSoft Finance, Mythos, and Monday.com is preferred. Ability to travel and possession of a valid driver’s license is required.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other administrative software applications.
• Knowledge of endowment management, investment, reporting, credit, and income allocation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop business process models.
• Ability to perform well under pressure, adapt to change, and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Maintain a high level of confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Handle multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize information.
• Identify long‑term strategic goals and design action plans to reach them.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Self‑starter with a strong sense of ownership, follow‑through, and results orientation.
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Application Instructions

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Ranges

Salary ranges for the appropriate pay grade can be found at the appropriate internal link.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact or 617‑287‑5150.

UMass Boston does not provide visa sponsorships for non-academic positions.

UMass Boston is committed to providing a safe and secure environment supported by qualified employees for all of its students, faculty and staff to carry out the University’s teaching, research, and public service missions. As a condition of employment, the University will conduct appropriate background check reviews. For more information, please see the University of Massachusetts Boston campus policy and procedures for employee background reviews.

UMass Boston—Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Massachusetts Boston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, genetic information, pregnancy or a pregnancy‑related condition, or membership in any other legally protected class. The University of Massachusetts Boston complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the university operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

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