Stewardship and Donor Relations Assistant/Associate Director
Eastern New Mexico University, Portales, NM, United States
Position Overview
Under the general supervision of the Annual Giving and Engagement Director, the Assistant/Associate Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations provides strategic leadership for university-wide donor stewardship initiatives. This role develops, implements, and executes comprehensive stewardship and donor recognition strategies designed to strengthen relationships and encourage sustained philanthropic investment at all giving levels.
The Assistant/Associate Director plans and executes strategic cultivation and outreach initiatives, oversees gift acknowledgment processes, and develops impact reports that communicate the value of donor support. The position collaborates with Advancement, Public Relations, campus partners, and senior leadership to ensure consistent, meaningful engagement and recognition.
Serving as a liaison to senior leadership regarding donor gifts, the Assistant/Associate Director will help develop and manage individualized stewardship plans for top donors and guide constituents through a strategic engagement journey that supports renewed and increased giving. The position also manages stewardship tracking and reporting within the Advance CRM to inform strategy and measure effectiveness.
Requirements Duties and Responsibilities:
Serve as a key partner in implementing university-wide stewardship policies and procedures with emphasis on acknowledgments, recognition, and impact reporting to enhance engagement and strengthen donor relationships.
Research, draft, and edit accurate and compelling donor correspondence, narrative reports, and donor summaries.
Collaborate with campus departments to increase donor satisfaction, encourage continued and increased giving, and optimize engagement opportunities.
Create gift acknowledgments and other stewardship-related correspondence in collaboration with executive leadership, faculty, and other stakeholders in adherence to the Stewardship Matrix and 1Roo and university brand standards.
Working closely with the Advancement leadership, develop and maintain a university-wide inventory of philanthropic naming opportunities for facilities, programs, and departments while ensuring the approval process complies with university policy and naming requirements.
Share responsibility for managing the donor database by maintaining data integrity, reporting, and measuring outcomes of initiatives and programs.
Regular and predictable attendance required.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Job Requirements: Stewardship and Donor Relations Assistant Director:
A bachelor's degree is required; a degree or emphasis in sales, marketing, persuasive writing, or fundraising is preferred. A minimum of three years of experience in developing marketing materials and reports in a dynamic, collaborative environment is required.
Stewardship and Donor Relations Associate Director:
A bachelor's degree is required; a degree or emphasis in sales, marketing, persuasive writing, or fundraising is preferred. A minimum of five years of experience in developing marketing materials and reports in a dynamic, collaborative environment is required. Direct experience in higher education advancement is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when working with high-level constituents and handling confidential information.
Experience with donor databases and CRM systems and data reporting, with high proficiency in MS Office Suite and general technological proficiency with project management software, as well as database management.
Knowledge of higher education advancement and stewardship.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple time-sensitive tasks with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
Intellectual curiosity and interest in the impact of higher education on the lives of students and families.
Willingness to be a team player while maintaining responsiveness, adaptability, and composure in a dynamic environment.
Ability to assist a diverse student population in a positive and supportive manner.
Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to anticipate and respond to donor and stakeholder needs.
Experience in planning and managing events.
Physical Demand and Working Conditions: Work is generally performed during standard business hours, with some evening and weekend work required. Work is sedentary in nature and, at times, requires exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a consistent amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
Condition of Employment, Electronic Application Instructions, Required Documents, EEO Statement Required Documents: Letter of interest, resume, contact information for three references (blind or off‑list reference checks may be conducted on finalists), transcripts (unofficial for application purposes).
Equal Employment Opportunity / Title IX/IPRA. Eastern New Mexico University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local laws. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (575) 562‑2115.
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The Assistant/Associate Director plans and executes strategic cultivation and outreach initiatives, oversees gift acknowledgment processes, and develops impact reports that communicate the value of donor support. The position collaborates with Advancement, Public Relations, campus partners, and senior leadership to ensure consistent, meaningful engagement and recognition.
Serving as a liaison to senior leadership regarding donor gifts, the Assistant/Associate Director will help develop and manage individualized stewardship plans for top donors and guide constituents through a strategic engagement journey that supports renewed and increased giving. The position also manages stewardship tracking and reporting within the Advance CRM to inform strategy and measure effectiveness.
Requirements Duties and Responsibilities:
Serve as a key partner in implementing university-wide stewardship policies and procedures with emphasis on acknowledgments, recognition, and impact reporting to enhance engagement and strengthen donor relationships.
Research, draft, and edit accurate and compelling donor correspondence, narrative reports, and donor summaries.
Collaborate with campus departments to increase donor satisfaction, encourage continued and increased giving, and optimize engagement opportunities.
Create gift acknowledgments and other stewardship-related correspondence in collaboration with executive leadership, faculty, and other stakeholders in adherence to the Stewardship Matrix and 1Roo and university brand standards.
Working closely with the Advancement leadership, develop and maintain a university-wide inventory of philanthropic naming opportunities for facilities, programs, and departments while ensuring the approval process complies with university policy and naming requirements.
Share responsibility for managing the donor database by maintaining data integrity, reporting, and measuring outcomes of initiatives and programs.
Regular and predictable attendance required.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Job Requirements: Stewardship and Donor Relations Assistant Director:
A bachelor's degree is required; a degree or emphasis in sales, marketing, persuasive writing, or fundraising is preferred. A minimum of three years of experience in developing marketing materials and reports in a dynamic, collaborative environment is required.
Stewardship and Donor Relations Associate Director:
A bachelor's degree is required; a degree or emphasis in sales, marketing, persuasive writing, or fundraising is preferred. A minimum of five years of experience in developing marketing materials and reports in a dynamic, collaborative environment is required. Direct experience in higher education advancement is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Demonstrated professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when working with high-level constituents and handling confidential information.
Experience with donor databases and CRM systems and data reporting, with high proficiency in MS Office Suite and general technological proficiency with project management software, as well as database management.
Knowledge of higher education advancement and stewardship.
Demonstrated ability to handle multiple time-sensitive tasks with exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills.
Intellectual curiosity and interest in the impact of higher education on the lives of students and families.
Willingness to be a team player while maintaining responsiveness, adaptability, and composure in a dynamic environment.
Ability to assist a diverse student population in a positive and supportive manner.
Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to anticipate and respond to donor and stakeholder needs.
Experience in planning and managing events.
Physical Demand and Working Conditions: Work is generally performed during standard business hours, with some evening and weekend work required. Work is sedentary in nature and, at times, requires exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a consistent amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
Condition of Employment, Electronic Application Instructions, Required Documents, EEO Statement Required Documents: Letter of interest, resume, contact information for three references (blind or off‑list reference checks may be conducted on finalists), transcripts (unofficial for application purposes).
Equal Employment Opportunity / Title IX/IPRA. Eastern New Mexico University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local laws. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (575) 562‑2115.
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