The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

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Bucknell University — Assistant Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations
Filed in Administrative on February 8, 2023

Assistant Director, Stewardship & Donor Relations

Job No: 497277
Position Type: full-time
Location: Lewisburg, PA
Categories: Other, University Advancement / Alumni Relations

Are you passionate about stewardship and engagement? Are you known for creating events that are memorable and engaging? Are you considered an event and engagement expert?

The Assistant Director for Stewardship and Donor Relations is responsible for creating, developing and executing stewardship events in collaboration with the Director of Stewardship, other University Advancement staff and campus partners. It is a highly collaborative role that will also contribute to the overall strategy for the Stewardship team, including annual reports and donor acknowledgements.

In this role you will:

Use your creativity to design and execute exceptional event strategies to steward and deepen engagement with our current, past and future donors. This includes managing all aspects of each event such as budgets, event logistics, vendors, contracts, accessibility, volunteers, event promotion and campus resources
Partner with colleagues to develop and execute ongoing stewardship and recognition strategies for our highest level donors and prospects
Manage high-level giving societies to ensure donors are appropriately recorded and recognized.

Work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, styles, abilities and appreciate and leverage their capabilities, insights and ideas. Proactively manage relationships with campus partners, vendors, faculty, staff, students
Maintain database and utilize stewardship software to ensure accurate donor records and stewardship activity

We are looking for someone who meets 1 of these requirements:

Has a bachelor's degree AND five (5) years professional experience demonstrating advanced knowledge of event management, donor relations, stewardship, or fundraising activities including at least two (2) years of experience in professional event planning from vision to execution.

OR

Any combination of education and experience representing nine (9) years professional experience demonstrating advanced knowledge of event management, donor relations, stewardship, or fundraising activities including at least two (2) years of experience in professional event planning from vision to execution.

And also meets ALL of these qualifications:

Demonstrates maturity of judgment, high level of accuracy and close attention to detail, with strong ethical sense to handle confidential and sensitive information appropriately
Demonstrates ability to professionally represent Bucknell and communicate effectively with various diverse audiences including board members, donors, faculty/staff and University leadership
Experience that demonstrates the ability and commitment to learn how to use a variety of computer-based programs and platforms to perform essential job duties such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, CRM database functions and other web-based tools
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, work independently and produce high-quality work under tight deadlines
Willingness and ability to travel (including air travel and travel to major metropolitan areas)

This position (and all positions in our division) requires the occasional evening and weekend work to support university events including Homecoming & Family Weekend, Reunion Weekend, and large Career events. We do ask staff to mark their calendars in advance for these events. Also, UA may occasionally coordinate on-campus or off-campus events/activities outside of standard business hours.

Who we are:

University Advancement (UA) is here to advance the mission of Bucknell University by engaging the Bucknell community. It is only through the support of alumni, parents and friends – by opening doors to career opportunities, engaging others to join the conversation and community, and entrusting us with their philanthropic commitments — that we can further elevate Bucknell as a leader in undergraduate education.

Our team is dedicated to this mission and unified by five values:

Lead with Integrity
Embrace a Collaborative and Inclusive Spirit
Be Open and Receptive
Nurture Creativity and Innovation
Foster a Culture of Empowerment and Knowledge

These values also illustrate how we bring, as a division, the University's strategic plan to life and exercise our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion on a daily basis.

Work Type:

This is a full-time, year round, benefits eligible position.

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Salary Range:

This is a staff exempt position with a hiring range of $52,500 – $65,625. The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):
– flexible scheduling options determined by role;
– medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
– an outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
– generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
– full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
– a comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
– a myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings. We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

To apply, visit https://careers.bucknell.edu/en-us/job/497277/assistant-director-stewardship-donor-relations