Director of Donor Engagement & Stewardship (INTERNAL ONLY)

Description

NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT

Director of Donor Engagement & Stewardship (INTERNAL ONLY)

Description of Position

The Director of Donor Engagement & Stewardship is a twelve-month, exempt role reporting to the Vice President for External Relations. The primary focus is to execute a comprehensive engagement and stewardship strategy that results in financial support from donors and fosters a lifelong culture of gratitude between Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) and its supporters. By prioritizing "first-class constituent care," this role ensures every current and prospective donor—with a specific focus on scholarship benefactors—experiences the tangible impact of their generosity and feels a deep, enduring connection to the NNU community. This position is part of the Office of University Advancement which functions as a part of the External Relations Team. 

Northwest Nazarene University is sponsored by the Church of the Nazarene and seeks to reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of the body of Christ in its faculty, staff, administration and students. All those interested are encouraged to apply and will be evaluated equitably.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of this position include but are not limited to:

• Actively identifies, cultivates, and solicits gifts from donors, with a focus on supporting student scholarships; this includes managing a portfolio of current and future donor prospects.
• Implements an integrated donor relations program that reflects NNU’s mission and values, strategically investing in donors to ensure they feel valued, informed, and connected to the transformation of student lives.
• Crafts timely and personalized donor correspondence that clearly demonstrate how their gifts are transforming student lives and advancing NNU’s mission.
• Collaborates with the Director of Scholarship Giving to produce creative donor communications, including annual endowment reports, scholarship impact letters, and project-specific updates.
• Partners with the External Relations team to lead, design, and execute two high-impact recognition events: The President’s Dinner & Donor Celebration and The Scholarship Luncheon.
• Updates, directs, and strategizes with the Vice President for External Relations as to which current and new scholarship partners require connection with one or more of the Senior Leadership Team members or other University Advancement team members.
• Collaborates with and assist team members within University Advancement in the development of various advancement initiatives, proposals, and events.
• Engages in and attend a variety of community events and events hosted by University Advancement. 
• Performs other areas as assigned.

Requirements

  Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 3 years’ experience or equivalent
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Proven excellent customer service and interpersonal attributes 
• Exceptional ability to follow through, organize responsibilities and meet deadlines 
• High motivation to set and achieve challenging goals; self-starter who is comfortable with ambiguity 
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• A commitment to use information resources ethically and to honor standards of confidentiality in working with constituent and institutional information
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time and occasionally work nights and weekends
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
• Computer competency with knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel, internet search engines, and ability to utilize technology platforms to research and analyze areas 
• Familiarity with current trends and best practices in the advancement field
• The University requires that all candidates be Christians (preferably in the Wesleyan tradition), and must be comfortable with, in agreement with the mission and lifestyle values of NNU

Compensation
The salary will be determined by the educational background and experience of each applicant. Full-time personnel will be offered access to a benefits package including health, vision and dental insurance for employee and family, life and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending plan, tuition benefits, opportunities for professional development, and a retirement program.

Internal Application Process 

To be considered for this internal position, a complete application must be received, including all of the following:

• Letter of interest
• Application form
• Updated Resume
• Updated Statement of Faith
• Updated Letter of reference from current pastor