Constituent Relations Officer
Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
Position Summary
Reporting to the Director of Constituent Relations, the Constituent Relations Officer is a member of the Constituent Relations team in the Development and Alumni Relations Division that recognizes and stewards donors for their generosity and philanthropy to Rice University. The officer implements thoughtful strategies for stewarding gifts to the university, with special emphasis on major gift donors, and collaborates with key stakeholders to accomplish this goal. The officer coordinates stewardship experiences for donors and strategic prospects, including creating impact reports for capital, endowment, and restricted current‑use gifts; coordinating donor engagement meetings or events; and designing strategic giving society experiences. The officer also works in the campus‑wide advancement database system, documenting and managing stewardship data and plans in the system.
Workplace Requirements This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in‑office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.
Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience)
1+ years of related professional experience in project management, customer service, or communications (or equivalent education)
Skills
Ability to learn new strategies
Written and verbal communication skills
Data analysis skills
Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Good organizational and time management skills
Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
Attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
Preferences
2+ years of experience working in development, stewardship or donor relations
2+ years of related professional experience in project management, customer service and/or communications
Experience working in nonprofit/higher education settings
Working knowledge of fundraising and familiarity with campaigns in a higher education or nonprofit environment
Experience using Blackbaud CRM or similar alumni/donor database system
Experience in a PC/Windows environment using Microsoft Office
Experience in developing nonprofit written and/or multimedia communications
Experience in developing donor engagement plans
Experience working with high-level or high‑touch donors
Familiarity with donor recognition programs, including giving societies
Familiarity with donor relations software such as Ovrture, ThankView or similar
Essential Functions
Works collaboratively with Development and Alumni Relations staff to appropriately steward donors / volunteers
Actively works to steward donors to the university, with special focus on capital, restricted current‑use, and endowment donors
Proactively supports the stewardship responsibilities of the development staff by assisting them in establishing and coordinating individualized stewardship plans for donors / volunteers to their schools / programs
Serve as a liaison to key campus departments to ensure consistent implementation of the master campus strategic stewardship plan
Aids in the compilation of invitation lists and suggests donor/volunteer stories for print and web‑based publications
Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
May communicate with alumni, parents and friends of the university via email, phone, in person or at events
Works closely with other teams and departments within Development and Alumni Relations and the university on stewardship related efforts
Has frequent contact with division staff and other university offices
Works with outside vendors as needed
Open office environment
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu. If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
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Workplace Requirements This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in‑office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.
Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent experience)
1+ years of related professional experience in project management, customer service, or communications (or equivalent education)
Skills
Ability to learn new strategies
Written and verbal communication skills
Data analysis skills
Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously
Good organizational and time management skills
Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meet expected deadlines and schedules
Attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which they are assigned
Preferences
2+ years of experience working in development, stewardship or donor relations
2+ years of related professional experience in project management, customer service and/or communications
Experience working in nonprofit/higher education settings
Working knowledge of fundraising and familiarity with campaigns in a higher education or nonprofit environment
Experience using Blackbaud CRM or similar alumni/donor database system
Experience in a PC/Windows environment using Microsoft Office
Experience in developing nonprofit written and/or multimedia communications
Experience in developing donor engagement plans
Experience working with high-level or high‑touch donors
Familiarity with donor recognition programs, including giving societies
Familiarity with donor relations software such as Ovrture, ThankView or similar
Essential Functions
Works collaboratively with Development and Alumni Relations staff to appropriately steward donors / volunteers
Actively works to steward donors to the university, with special focus on capital, restricted current‑use, and endowment donors
Proactively supports the stewardship responsibilities of the development staff by assisting them in establishing and coordinating individualized stewardship plans for donors / volunteers to their schools / programs
Serve as a liaison to key campus departments to ensure consistent implementation of the master campus strategic stewardship plan
Aids in the compilation of invitation lists and suggests donor/volunteer stories for print and web‑based publications
Performs all other duties as assigned
Additional Functions
May communicate with alumni, parents and friends of the university via email, phone, in person or at events
Works closely with other teams and departments within Development and Alumni Relations and the university on stewardship related efforts
Has frequent contact with division staff and other university offices
Works with outside vendors as needed
Open office environment
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu. If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu. Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.
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