Assistant Director of Donor Relations

Job Summary

The Office of Advancement at Oberlin College seeks applications for the position of Assistant Director of Donor Relations. This is a full-time, continuing 12-month Administrative and Professional Staff position reporting to the Chief of Staff for Advancement.

Responsibilities

The Assistant Director of Donor Relations plays a key role in strengthening relationships between the institution and its donors by ensuring thoughtful stewardship, clear communication of impact, and meaningful recognition experiences.

This position supports the donor fund reporting process, coordinates donor recognition efforts, and helps plan and execute events that engage and celebrate donors.

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career professional or someone looking to enter the Advancement field in a role with room for growth.

Essential Job Functions

Donor Reporting & Stewardship

* Manage the donor fund reporting process by gathering information from campus partners, organizing and synthesizing financial and programmatic data, and drafting and editing clear, compelling reports on fund impact.

* Collaborate with academic and administrative departments across campus to ensure timely and accurate reporting on the use of donor funds.

* Maintain reporting timelines and track completion of reports to ensure consistency and accountability.

Events & Recognition

* Coordinate and execute on- and off-campus donor recognition events in collaboration with the Chief of Staff for Advancement.

* Support all phases of event planning, including logistics, communications, guest management, and post-event follow-up.

* Utilize the alumni and donor database to track projected attendance, develop and manage event guest lists, and support invitation and RSVP processes.

* Maintain accurate records of donor interactions, event participation, and stewardship activities.

* Occasional travel to off-campus events required.

Donor Communications

* Compose and manage timely, personalized gift acknowledgements to ensure donors are appropriately recognized and appreciated.

Marginal Job Functions

* Performs other duties and special projects as assigned or directed.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience required.

* 1-3 years of experience in advancement, donor relations, communications, or event planning.

* Strong writing and editing skills with keen attention to detail.

* Excellent organizational and project management abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

* Ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across departments.

* Work weekends and evenings when appropriate, including assisting with reunion and Homecoming events.

Desired Qualifications

* Experience with customer relationship management (CRM) systems (e.g., Raiser's Edge).

* Familiarity with donor engagement and communication tools such as Thank View and Adobe Premiere Pro or similar platforms.

Quick Link for Posting (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Compensation

A generous compensation package will be offered to the successful candidate, including an excellent benefits package, tuition remission for eligible dependents and 35 days of paid PTO.

Oberlin College is committed to creating and sustaining a vibrant, welcoming community where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and where every member has an equal opportunity to learn, work, and contribute based on their talents, skills, and merit. We value a campus environment that draws on a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and ideas to enrich education, scholarship, and daily interactions.

The College adheres strictly to all applicable federal and state civil rights laws, including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Equal Protection Clause, and related regulations. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic in employment, admissions, or educational programs. Hiring and advancement decisions are made based on qualifications, experience, and job-related criteria.

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence, free inquiry, respectful dialogue, and equal opportunity under the law to apply. The Office for Institutional Equity plays a key role in supporting a fair, compliant, and inclusive workplace and learning environment for the entire Oberlin community.

Special Instructions to Applicants

A completed application will include a cover letter, a CV and a list of 3 professional references.