Assistant Director of Donor Relations

Assistant Director of Donor Relations
Advancement

Description

JOB SUMMARY: Direct, lead, and develop the comprehensive plan and implementation of stewardship and recognition for donors to Gustavus. This includes development and advancement of programs, events, procedures, budgets, and materials that assure accurate, timely, and appropriate tracking and interaction between the College, its donors and prospective donors, in an effort to strengthen relationships and achieve fundraising goals. Cultivate a donor-centric environment of gratitude and appreciation by communicating and demonstrating the impact of philanthropic support and inspiring alumni, parents, and friends to support the College to their fullest potential.

Employment Type: Full-Time (1.0 FTE), Exempt (Salaried), Benefits-Eligible

Salary Range: $54,000-$60,000 annually

How to apply: Continue here or visit https://gustavus.edu/jobs/ to complete the online application and submit a resume and cover letter. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Stewardship Program Development and Management

• Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that aligns with the College's strategic plan and Advancement's goals.
• Develop and maintain a framework for donor recognition and engagement, ensuring consistent, personalized, and meaningful interactions across all giving levels.
Assess, refine, and maintain stewardship policies, procedures, and best practices. Drive departmental and campus-wide implementation.

Donor Recognition and Events

• Orchestrate a streamlined, personalized system for expressing gratitude from students, faculty, and executive leadership to donors, ensuring both timely and impactful acknowledgments.
• Optimize recognition practices and engagement opportunities for existing and future Giving Societies.
• Lead signage efforts to recognize donor generosity. Coordinate with Facilities, Marketing, and external vendors to design, produce, and install all recognition on campus.
• Partner with College leadership to conceptualize and produce strategic stewardship and campaign events that cultivate relationships with constituents, supporters, and major donor prospects. Drive the end-to-end planning of receptions, luncheons, dinners, dedications, groundbreakings, grand-openings, athletics suite hosting, and other events ensuring positive experiences.
Represent donor stewardship at Advancement's Leadership meetings and work closely with Gift Planners, Advancement Services, Prospect Research, Planned Giving, Annual Fund, and Alumni and Parent Engagement to ensure the holistic approach to a donor's philanthropic journey.

Donor Communications

• Oversee the creation and distribution of all stewardship materials highlighting donor impact. Develop and design strategic donor-targeted marketing material and language content related to funds and programs.
• Coordinate with departments across campus to build articulate, compelling, and visually appealing cases for support of Gustavus projects and programs.
Partner with the Marketing and Communication department to ensure materials and stories are available to steward and inspire donors.

Collaboration and Relationship Building

• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, providing exceptional customer service and fostering meaningful engagement that strengthens relationships with the College's donors.
• Collaborate with Gift Planners for pre-solicit gift agreement concepts and gift instrument development for endowed and current restricted gifts. Ensure that departments across the College are aware of relevant donor expectations, and donors are appropriately updated on use of gifted funds.
• Cultivate and strengthen rapport with various offices and academic departments across campus. Represent Advancement in cross-divisional efforts, as it relates to donor stewardship and donor intent for fund use. Engage proactively with key partners in the Office of the President, Provost, Finance, Marketing and Financial Aid.
• Manage the stewardship budget and provide leaders and budget officers throughout the College with support related to donor-restricted funding in their budgets.

Strategic Planning Engagement

• Contribute to the development of Advancement's strategic framework as a key member of the team and offer long-term visioning to build a culture of philanthropy.
• Remain current on best practices within donor relations and stewardship and bring creative expertise and innovative approaches to the directional planning process that go beyond traditional thinking.
• Other duties as assigned and observed.

Prerequisites

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Proven experience and success in non-profit development and/or donor relations preferred.
• Computer literacy and knowledge of Google, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required. Experience with databases is a plus, especially Slate for Advancement.
• Must have demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects creatively and flexibly.
• Must have the ability to forge strong working relationships and have the desire to work as part of a team.
• Must have the capacity for building confidence and trust among alumni, parents, and friends of Gustavus Adolphus College and have the ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Must be self-motivated and organized, with strong attention to accuracy.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to participate in occasional evening and weekend activities.
• Experience in planning upscale events for small and large audiences is preferred.

Gustavus offers competitive and comprehensive benefits which include:

• Medical insurance (which includes access to Nice Healthcare) as well as dental, vision, and life insurance
• Workplace accommodations for physical or mental health concerns
• Onsite health services
• Free parking, exercise classes, and use of library and athletic facilities
• Paid parental leave
• Employer contribution to retirement savings plan (after one year of employment)
• Tuition scholarships for dependents
• Tuition benefit plan for employees and spouse
• 13 paid Holidays generous PTO plan

Gustavus Adolphus College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation's leading private liberal arts colleges serving approximately 1,800 students. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Known for its strong science, writing, music, athletics, study-away, and service-learning programs, Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota only one hour southwest of the Twin Cities.

Contact

Annie Escalera | aescalara@gustavus.edu | 507-933-6513

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2026

To apply, visit https://gustavus.edu/employment/job/2448



je-55b5cd5a75a945869843fb8dda51d656