Assistant Director, Stewardship and Donor Relations

Job Description:

At Berklee, creativity, collaboration, and community are at the heart of everything we do. We empower artists to shape the future through music, arts, and innovation—and philanthropy plays a vital role in that mission. The Assistant Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations will help bring that vision to life by deepening engagement with our donors, developing meaningful stewardship experiences, and celebrating the impact of giving across the Berklee community.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a creative, mission-driven environment and loves connecting people through stories, gratitude, and shared purpose.

Reporting to the leader of the Stewardship & Donor Relations team within Institutional Advancement (IA), the Assistant Director serves as a key collaborator and storyteller. This person will:

• Collaborate across Berklee with colleagues in Institutional Advancement, the Office of the President, Finance, Student Financial Services, Student Enrollment and Engagement, Facilities, Academic Affairs, and faculty to ensure donors are thanked, informed, and connected to the impact of their generosity.

• Lead content creation for high-level stewardship pieces—writing compelling narratives that showcase how donor support transforms student experiences, programs, and the future of the arts.

• Manage customized stewardship plans for select major gift donors, aligning donor engagement strategies with institutional priorities documenting progress in Raiser’s Edge.

• Create and deliver donor communications—from thank-you notes and digital updates to reports, event materials, and creative storytelling that highlight impact and gratitude.

• Support donor recognition initiatives including naming opportunities, giving societies, and special donor events that celebrate the Berklee community.

• Provide exceptional service to donors and partners across campus, maintaining professionalism, empathy, and discretion in every interaction.

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, or related fields (education, arts, or non-profit experience preferred).

• A proven track record in strategic stewardship programming and donor engagement.

• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for senior leadership and diverse audiences.

• Project management expertise, from concept through completion, with meticulous attention to detail.

• Comfort with relational databases (Raiser’s Edge preferred), Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and creative tools such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.

• A passion for collaboration, innovation, and making donor engagement more inclusive and meaningful.

• Emotional intelligence and cultural competence, with a commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging in all aspects of the work.

Berklee offers a workplace that values creativity, innovation, and balance. Our community is passionate about student success and mission-driven work, and we believe in supporting employees with flexibility, professional growth, and an environment that celebrates both individuality and collaboration.

We take pride in maintaining a hybrid model—three days a week on campus, with the remaining days offering flexibility—plus comprehensive benefits through our Total Rewards program that support well-being, work-life balance, and ongoing learning.

Join Berklee’s Institutional Advancement team and play a key role in connecting generosity to creativity—helping donors see, feel, and celebrate the incredible impact they make every day.

Hiring Range: $70,000 – $82,000; salary dependent on relevant experience and education.

Please visit the Total Rewards page to learn more about the benefits of working at Berklee.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee: We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit, qualifications, experience, ability, and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty, staff,…