Associate Director of Donor Relations Colleges, Schools & Units

Associate Director of Donor Relations for Colleges, Schools & Units

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Job Title:

Associate Director of Donor Relations for Colleges, Schools & Units

Location:

Tallahassee, FL

Regular/Temporary:
Regular

Full/Part Time:
Full-Time

Job

Department: FSU Division of University Advancement

Mid-Senior level

Full-time

Other

One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity.

The Associate Director of Donor Relations – College, Schools and Units is responsible for developing and executing donor relations strategies for acknowledgment, stewardship, recognition, engagement and communication that support and enhance the work of development officers across FSU’s colleges, schools and units.

• Design and manage stewardship plans that celebrate, thank and engage donors in personalized and impactful ways.
• Lead and support complex stewardship and recognition projects that often include multiple deliverables, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.
• Collaborate with the central Donor Relations team to align unit-level efforts with university-wide recognition programs and standards.

• Create customized and templated donor communications, including acknowledgment letters, impact reports, event follow-ups and other touchpoints.
• Work closely with the Advancement Communications team to develop donor stories, recognition materials and other content that highlight donor impact.

• Serve as a strategic partner and resource for development officers and academic leaders, offering guidance and support on donor relations best practices.
• Work with donor relations leadership to facilitate training and resources to promote and build an environment of donor-centric stewardship and collaboration across colleges, schools and units.
• Identify opportunities to enhance donor engagement through creative and collaborative initiatives.

• Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, preferences, stewardship activities and engagement plans in the constituent management system.
• Use data and reporting tools to assess the effectiveness of donor relations efforts and inform future strategies.

Bachelor's degree and four years of experience in a related field; or a high school diploma or equivalent and eight years of experience in a related field. (

Note:

a combination of post high school education and experience equal to eight years.)

• A valid Florida or Georgia Driver's License or the ability to obtain upon hire and willing to drive.

A preferred candidate will have 5+ years of previous experience in donor relations, fundraising, advancement or relationship management, ideally within higher education or a nonprofit setting.

• A strong working knowledge of university structures and internal operations, with the ability to navigate and build relationships across a complex academic environment.
• Experience developing and executing donor stewardship and engagement strategies, including personalized communications and recognition efforts.
• A proactive, self-starting mindset, with the ability to create strategic plans from scratch and move initiatives forward independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to work effectively with high-level donors, academic leaders and advancement colleagues.
• Comfort with data-informed decision-making, including tracking KPIs and using reporting tools to assess impact.

You are a relationship builder at heart, someone who enjoys connecting with people across campus and forging strong, collaborative partnerships.…