Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Be a trusted, strategic partner to enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives.

• Are you motivated to collaborate with leadership and colleagues to strengthen donor relationships?
• Do you enjoy helping others see the impact they make?

• Do you thrive in deadline-driven environments and enjoy moving work forward?

• Do you have a passion for thinking strategically to improve processes?
• Are you inspired by the mission of the University of Nebraska Foundation and looking to make a difference in the lives of others?

If so, we invite you to apply for this exciting role!     

At the University of Nebraska Foundation, we grow relationships and resources that enable the University of Nebraska to change lives and save lives. We believe that our strong commitment to inclusion and respect is essential to accomplishing this mission through our values of teamwork, integrity, and passion for mission. We invite, explore, and celebrate differences to increase productivity, spark innovation and most importantly, accomplish our mission.

You will join the foundation at an exciting time, with the opportunity to make a transformational impact. The foundation is in the public phase of a historic campaign to raise $3 billion to build a better future for Nebraska. The campaign is being led by many enthusiastic volunteers representing all areas of the University of Nebraska System. This position will work in our Lincoln or Omaha office. We offer flexibility for hybrid work.

Ways you will make an impact:

• Manage and improve the process by which scholarship donors receive meaningful updates about the students their gifts support, incorporating creative and thoughtful ways to recognize donor impact.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between the foundation and university scholarship and financial aid offices on each campus, leading monthly coordination meetings to align on priorities and resolve issues.
• Identify opportunities to simplify and modernize how donor impact reports are created and delivered, including supporting the rollout of a new digital reporting tool.
• Create personalized reports for donors that summarize how their donations are being used, ensuring these are accurate, relevant, and delivered on time.
• Partner with internal teams to review fund agreements, the documents that outline how a donor's gift is to be used, and assist in verifying the accuracy of annual financial reporting for those funds.
• Supervise and mentor one student intern, managing their weekly workload and providing hands-on training and professional development guidance.

Who we want:

• Strategic professionals who can develop innovative ideas and execute high-quality reporting.
• Reliable, organized, and adaptable individuals who can meet deadlines, manage multiple responsibilities, and effectively prioritize competing priorities.
• Detail-oriented individuals who value precision and processes to achieve excellence in serving others.
• Persistent individuals who are dependable and self-motivated.
• Intellectually curious individuals who can think strategically and collaborate with others.
• Relationship-focused and collaborative individuals with interpersonal skills to work with a wide variety of people, and who can function as part of a team with minimal supervision.

What you need:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum Experience: 3-5 years of experience in a non-profit environment, preferably in donor relations, development, finance, or a related field.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Organizational skills with keen attention to detail, deadlines, and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated success in working efficiently with a diverse range of people.
• Ability to collaborate with senior leaders, and technical teams.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Excel and data management.
• Discretion in handling and navigating confidential matters.
• Candidates will also be evaluated on our core values of passion for mission, integrity, and teamwork.

What we offer:

• Mission-driven work that changes lives and saves lives.
• A strengths-based, engagement-focused, and performance-oriented culture.
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities for your career growth.
• An award-winning wellness program.
• 12 weeks of paid medical leave, including maternity and paternity leave.
• 12 paid holidays and generous vacation time.
• A generous retirement match and multiple incentive compensation programs.
• University of Nebraska tuition reimbursement for you and your dependents.

Who we are:

• Recognition by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as one of America’s Favorite Charities.
• Founded in 1936, the University of Nebraska Foundation provides support for the campuses in the university system — the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center and its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine.
• Among public universities, the University of Nebraska ranks in the top 25 nationally for both funds raised and endowed assets under management.
• The foundation has a reputation for efficiency and effectiveness, raising more than $7 for every $1 spent.
• Winner of Gallup’s Don Clifton Strengths-Based Culture Award.
• Winner of the Governor’s Harvester Wellness Award, the highest honor for corporate wellness.

The University of Nebraska Foundation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to a work environment free from discrimination and harassment where all employees feel respected and valued. We will consider all qualified applicants in accordance with applicable law.