Assistant Director, Donor Relations

Position Details

Posting Summary

Position Title Assistant Director, Donor Relations Posting Number AS1165P Subdivision UA VP's Office Division University Advancement Department University Advancement Location Erie, Pa Position Summary

The Assistant Director for Donor Relations at Gannon is a key member of the University Advancement team reporting to the Director for Constituent Engagement. The primary responsibility of this full-time role is to facilitate planned stewardship and recognition activities that strengthen relationships between the University and its donors. The position plays a central role in demonstrating the impact of philanthropy by connecting donors with students, programs, and outcomes made possible through their support. The Assistant Director is also reviewed on their ability to work effectively with members of a team and with colleagues and volunteers who support the work of Advancement.

1. Manage stewardship and engagement activities for donor giving societies, including communications, recognition, benefits, special engagement opportunities, and other strategies designed to strengthen donor relationships and encourage continued philanthropic involvement.

2. Serve as liaison to Financial Aid for donor-funded scholarships. Assist Financial Aid in coordinating annual scholarship awarding and oversee related stewardship processes. Maintain donor and scholarship information, address fund-related questions, and proofread all agreements.

3. Produce annual endowment report for scholarship and endowment donors. Collaborate within the division, with Finance, Financial Aid, and other partners to gather financial, recipient, programmatic, and impact information to present it in a clear and donor-centered format.

4. Develop and manage processes that connect scholarship recipients with donors through thank-you letters, videos, testimonials, personal stories, and other expressions of gratitude. Provide students with guidance and resources to help them effectively communicate the impact of donor support.

5. Develop customized donor impact and stewardship reports for university leadership, fundraising staff, and other colleagues. Gather stories, outcomes, financial information, photographs, testimonials, and related content that demonstrates the impact of significant philanthropic investments.

6. Coordinate donor recognition efforts across campus, including plaques, signage, donor walls, named spaces, and digital and giving society recognition. Work with Advancement, Marketing & Communications, and others to ensure recognition is accurate, consistent, timely, and aligned with institutional standards and donor agreements.

7. Maintain donor relationships in a way that requires the highest standards of professional conduct and respect to ensure increased philanthropic support and engagement.

8. Perform other duties as assigned within the scope, responsibility and requirements of the position and informed by Gannon's Mission and shared values.

Required Qualifications

Education: A bachelor's degree is required.

Experience: Two or more years of related experience is required. Experience in fundraising and alumni/donor relations is preferred.

Interpersonal, organizational, technological, and excellent customer service skills are required. Proficiency with CRM solutions, Microsoft Office, Outlook, and event management and communications software are required. Additionally, the ability to partner as an excellent teammate with a sound work ethic and dedication to higher education and Gannon's Mission is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in fundraising and alumni/donor relations is preferred.

Physical Demands

Must be able to meet the physical demands associated with the responsibilities of this position.

Exempt Status Exempt Position Classification Professional Position Type Staff Employment Status Full-Time Position Length 12M Hours per Week 37.5 Work Schedule Monday-Friday is typical, along with the ability to work nights and weekends as needed to fulfill job responsibilities. Shift 1st

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

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