What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Director, Donor Pipeline Strategy position at The Catholic University of America?
Position Summary
The Associate Director, Relationship Management, serves as a key partner between Advancement Services and frontline fundraising teams, using data and portfolio insights to support the development and movement of the major gift pipeline.
This role is responsible for analyzing donor progression across the solicitation cycle, identifying opportunities to advance prospects, and working directly with gift officers to strengthen strategy, improve portfolio quality, and ensure consistent forward momentum.
Working with a high degree of independence, the Associate Director translates data into actionable recommendations, supports portfolio optimization efforts, and contributes to a disciplined and effective moves management process across the division.This position requires strong analytical capability, sound judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with both data and fundraising colleagues.
The projected salary range for this position, which represents the full range of anticipated compensation, is $70,000 to $75,000
Pipeline Analysis & Donor Movement
Bachelor’s Degree required
Practical Experience
The Associate Director, Relationship Management, serves as a key partner between Advancement Services and frontline fundraising teams, using data and portfolio insights to support the development and movement of the major gift pipeline.
This role is responsible for analyzing donor progression across the solicitation cycle, identifying opportunities to advance prospects, and working directly with gift officers to strengthen strategy, improve portfolio quality, and ensure consistent forward momentum.
Working with a high degree of independence, the Associate Director translates data into actionable recommendations, supports portfolio optimization efforts, and contributes to a disciplined and effective moves management process across the division.This position requires strong analytical capability, sound judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with both data and fundraising colleagues.
The projected salary range for this position, which represents the full range of anticipated compensation, is $70,000 to $75,000
Pipeline Analysis & Donor Movement
- Analyze donor progression across qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stages
- Identify stalled or underperforming prospects and recommend strategies to advance engagement
- Monitor key indicators of pipeline health, including movement, activity, and portfolio balance
- Meet regularly with gift officers to review portfolios and discuss strategies for advancing prospects
- Offer data-informed recommendations and help identify next steps for donor engagement
- Support consistent portfolio focus and pipeline movement through collaborative discussion
- Evaluate portfolio composition, including size, stage distribution, and alignment with major gift potential
- Recommend reassignment, removal, or rebalancing of prospects to improve portfolio effectiveness
- Support efforts to ensure portfolios reflect institutional priorities and fundraising opportunities
- Translate predictive modeling, engagement scores, and giving trends into actionable insights
- Identify emerging major gift prospects and opportunities for pipeline growth
- Partner with Prospect Research and Strategic Information Management teams to support data-informed decision-making
- Help organize and participate in major and principal gift strategy sessions
- Contribute to the development and refinement of prospect strategies and next steps
- Ensure accurate documentation of strategies and actions within the donor database
- Serve as a liaison between Relationship Management, Prospect Research, and frontline fundraising teams
- Help translate data insights into practical application for fundraisers
- Promote consistency in how pipeline data is interpreted and applied across teams
- Track and review portfolio and pipeline activity to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities
- Support the development of reports and summaries that inform team-level planning and performance
- Highlight areas where additional focus or strategy refinement may be needed
- Provide guidance to gift officers and staff on best practices in portfolio management and use of the donor database
- Support onboarding and ongoing learning related to moves management and pipeline strategy
- Contribute to division-wide initiatives and projects in support of fundraising and campaign goals
Bachelor’s Degree required
Practical Experience
- 3-5 years of experience in development, advancement services, or a related field, preferably within a higher education or nonprofit environment.
- Experience working with donor databases and familiarity with moves management practices required.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing data and applying insights in a professional setting.
- Experience with development databases
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace
- Strong data analysis and reporting skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to interpret data and translate it into practical recommendations
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams
- Organizational and project management skills
- Understanding of the major gift fundraising cycle preferred
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently
Salary : $70,000 - $75,000