Director-Stewardship

About Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state‑funded four‑year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the region’s polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands‑on learning that leads to in‑demand careers. EWU’s 300‑acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washington’s second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy‑efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Job Summary
We are currently seeking a skilled and team‑oriented Director of Stewardship. The Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for a comprehensive, institution‑wide stewardship program. This role is responsible for designing, implementing and documenting a stewardship system in three categories:

High‑level donor stewardship: Ensures donors are systematically recognized and informed of their impact, including personalized stewardship plans and activities.

Stewardship of donated funds: Oversees and reports on endowed and non‑endowed funds and works with advancement, university units, and fundraising teams to ensure accurate and timely expenditure of funds.

Stewardship ecosystem: Develops and maintains mechanisms for stewarding and communicating with prospects and donors across all pipelines; approves policies and procedures and coordinates with cross‑functional teams to align stewardship with the mission and strategic priorities of the EWU Foundation.

Salary and Benefits
Salary: $60,301 – $72,370, commensurate with education, experience and skills.

Benefits include health and disability insurance, retirement, generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, access to campus fitness facilities, and free STA bus transportation. For additional insurance benefits information, see: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits-briefing/benefits/insurance/

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

At least three years of relevant experience in a development‑related role in an educational environment, ideally in higher education.

Knowledge of CRM usage and purpose.

Proven track record managing major donor stewardship or annual fund stewardship program.

Strong sense of fundraising ethics, confidentiality of donor information.

Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, professional and empathetic approach.

Willingness to collaborate closely with colleagues and donors.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

Clear and effective verbal and written communication.

Positive attitude, flexible approach, sense of humor.

Responsive, flexible, supportive of universal access needs of students, faculty, staff and the public.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience planning donor‑facing events.

Higher education experience.

Experience managing a stewardship program.

Other Skills and Abilities

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

High level organizational skills.

Note: The above job description is a general outline of the duties and responsibilities typically associated with this position. Specific tasks and responsibilities may vary based on the needs of the department and institution.

Job Duties
Personalized Donor Stewardship

Develops customized donor stewardship plans and implements them with applicable colleagues.

Facilitates and organizes special donor recognition and engagement events for individuals and groups.

Identifies and prepares outreach information for action by university leadership in response to donor behavior including current giving and milestone giving.

Percent of Time: 20%

Institution‑wide Stewardship

Provides vision, leadership and direction to Office of Philanthropy and Annual Giving in partnership with Marketing and Communications, Advancement Services and Financial Aid & Scholarship regarding tactical stewardship initiatives that ensure timely, accurate and strategic points of contact with donors.

Manages guidelines, procedures, acknowledgment and impact reporting for university‑wide recognition of annual and lifetime giving and annual recognition events.

Develops and updates guidelines and procedures for university‑wide philanthropic naming policies and donor recognition.

Works closely with Advancement Services to direct and implement best practices and procedures related to gift processing, donor receipting, VIP special handling, donor record accuracy, database reporting, and ensuring donor intent.

Manages stewardship of endowed and non‑endowed philanthropic funds, including quarterly oversight to ensure funds are utilized fully and proactively resolves issues when funds are not utilized.

Leads and participates in planning major stewardship events, including the Red Tie Gala, partnering with philanthropy team members to develop stewardship activities that help lay the framework for future giving, includes special recognition events. Actively seeks stewardship trends and best practices.

Percent of Time: 75%

Other

Manages stewardship and associated event budgets.

Other duties as assigned.

Percent of Time: 5%

Conditions of Employment
This position involves the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Sponsorship of employment visas is not available for this position at this time.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

This is an Administrative Exempt position and is covered by EWU Policy 406‑01, Exempt Employment. After starting employment, employees will complete the required training via Canvas. The Office of Employee Belonging, Development, and Leadership will reach out regarding Workplace Belonging training.

Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). Candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.

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