Director, Donor Relations

Since its inception, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has
remained best in class — the unquestioned global leader in
aerospace education, and the definitive source of innovation in
aviation and aerospace education and research. The largest, most
comprehensive institution of its kind, Embry-Riddle was founded in
1926, 22 years after the Wright brothers’ first demonstration of
piloted, powered flight: 12 seconds that changed the world and
eventually brought Embry-Riddle into being. Today, with a nearly
100-year legacy of innovation and excellence in education, even
greater accomplishments lie ahead — and above!

As we prepare for our Centennial Campaign, there has never been
a more exciting time to make your mark on our University’s history.
We seek a dynamic and seasoned donor relations professional to join
the Office of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement in the role of
Director of Donor Relations.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Advancement Services, the
Director of Donor Relations will develop and implement a
comprehensive strategy to steward philanthropy and share with
donors the impact of their gifts. Through acknowledgment letters,
print and digital publications, special events, and personal
interactions, the Director of Donor Relations will ensure
compliance with donor intention as well as high-quality
interactions that foster long-term engagement and investment.

The successful candidate will possess knowledge of best
practices in gift agreements, acknowledgments, and reporting. They
will have strong written and oral communication skills, project
management, and outstanding interpersonal skills. Working
successfully in a team environment to collaborate with and meet
internal stakeholder needs is essential.

This isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to be a catalyst for
change, a champion of innovation, and a guardian of our legacy. If
you’re ready to make waves, break barriers, and leave an indelible
mark on the future of aerospace education, we want you on our
team. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Communicate Philanthropic Impact:  Lead a
multi-faceted, multi-channel, cyclical communications strategy in
collaboration with Marketing and Communications that communicates
the impact of donor giving.

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive
  donor engagement and recognition strategy that includes
  communications illustrating the impact of donors’ gifts, such as
  endowment reports, impact reports, personalized messages, and
  content that supports donor retention and growth.  Working
  with campus partners, this role will research how the gift was used
  and report back to the donor.
• Establish and maintain long-term recognition opportunities
  (naming spaces, plaque size, etc.)
• Develop, maintain, and share internally a donor-centric annual
  calendar of communications and reporting activities to ensure
  regular and meaningful touchpoints with donors and maintain their
  engagement over time.
• Create, manage, and execute a donor relations matrix according
  to the level of the gift.

Stewardship: Ensure donor intentions are
properly recorded in gift agreements, meet PAE, legal and Title IX
requirements, and can met by the university. Lead the
acknowledgment process.

• Utilize systems to stay informed on gift agreements and ensure
  that the donor philanthropy follows university and legal protocols.
  Ensure the university remains in compliance with donor intention.
  
• Write acknowledgment letters and manage the acknowledgment
  process.

Events: Lead and support in-person donor
relation activities.

• Create events that promote interactions between scholarship
  recipients and donors, as well as communicate gratitude and
  celebrate philanthropy.
• Support the Director of Event Operations in PAE events. Tasks
  include creating invitations and guest lists, tracking RSVPs, and
  supporting the planning and implementation of the events as
  requested.
• Collaborate with front-line fundraisers to engage donors and
  prospects in the university’s life and demonstrate that their gifts
  have a tangible impact.
• Effectively utilize student workers and obtain assistance from
  appropriate staff to meet deadlines and deliver results.

Qualifications

• Five years of donor relations and stewardship experience.
• Knowledge of best practices in gift agreements, endowment and
  impact reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree and 3-5 years of professional advancement
  experience.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Outstanding attention to detail and the initiative to correct
  errors.
• Customer service mindset that advocates for the donor while
  maintaining university protocols.
• Proficiency with fundraising software and donor management
  systems; knowledge of Salesforce a plus.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, professionalism, and
  knowledge of business social etiquette
• Research and analytical skills.
• Ability to be flexible, work independently, take initiative,
  manage multiple projects, prioritize a high volume of work in a
  fast-paced environment, and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Work in a team environment, being self-motivated and
  well-prepared, with routine follow-through and clear
  communication.
• Availability to travel and work evenings and weekends as needed
  to supervise events or meet with donors.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in digital design software to create documents.
• Event and project management experience.

Apply at:  ERAU
Careers (myworkdayjobs.com)