Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

POSITION
:
Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship
REPORTS TO
:
Senior Director of Advancement
STATUS
:
Full-Time, Exempt
RANGE
: $80,000 - $90,000

Founded in 1901, Brooklyn Law School is a distinguished, independent law school located in Downtown Brooklyn, New York. The Law School is searching for a Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship to lead and grow a comprehensive, best practice informed donor relations and strategic stewardship program at a pivotal moment in the institution’s history. As the Law School approaches its 125th Anniversary and prepares to launch its first comprehensive campaign, this role will be instrumental in building a culture of gratitude, accountability, and donor-centered engagement.

The Law School’s size, vibrant employee and student population, and commitment to training the next generation of lawyers and promoting social justice will offer a creative and entrepreneurial professional the opportunity to develop practical skills while shaping and elevating the philanthropic experience. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship is a hands‑on role that combines strategic vision with strong execution.

This position ensures that Brooklyn Law School has a coordinated, data‑informed donor relations and stewardship program that strengthens donor relationships across all levels of giving and clearly demonstrates the impact of philanthropy.

• Strategic development and implementation of a high performing, comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program working in partnership with fundraisers, senior academic administrators, faculty, and staff that is designed to increase donor joy, drive fundraising and enrich relationships between donors and the Law School.
• Support gift acknowledgment processes, pledge reminders, and stewardship touchpoints in collaboration with Advancement Services.
• Serve as a strategic partner to frontline fundraisers in creating customized major and principal gifts stewardship plans.
• Oversee and direct the stewardship of recognition society programs and assist with the creation and launch of a leadership annual giving society.
• Partner with events teams to design and execute high‑impact recognition and stewardship events.
• Craft clear and compelling impact stories to inspire donors in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications team.
• Lead the planning and execution of annual endowment and scholarship reports, ensuring high‑quality, donor‑centered content that illustrates the impact of giving.
• Oversee the full stewardship lifecycle of donor‑funded scholarships, prizes, and fellowships, including communications, student engagement initiatives, and impact reporting, and cross‑departmental coordination with Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Affairs, Finance, and other partners.
• Create and maintain accurate stewardship tracking to support fundraising proposals and stewardship activities.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Four (4) plus years of professional experience in donor relations, advancement communications, stewardship or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of the donor cycle, fundraising and stewardship best practices and industry trends, with strong knowledge of donor engagement, campaigns, planned giving, annual giving, and major gifts.
• Strong project and program management skills, with a keen eye for detail and quality.
• Experience supporting donor recognition societies and giving programs; initiating and implementing a new program or project preferred.
• Familiarity with scholarship awarding and reporting processes.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic, entrepreneurial and creative approaches to tasks and challenges, working both independently and collaboratively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency in database management and Microsoft Office Suite; experience with CRM systems preferred.
• Commitment to maintaining donor and student confidentiality.

• Experience…