Assistant Director, Donor Relations

Assistant Director, Donor Relations

Main Work Location
:
Stanford historic campus or remote

Schedule
: Hybrid (at least 2 days per week on site) or open to Remote

Note:

Not all unique aspects of the job are covered by this job description

Stanford University’s donor relations team, within the Office of Development, plays an integral role in Stanford’s fundraising success. The team is tasked with communicating the appreciation for and impact of gifts to the university; connecting donors with the university's mission; and fostering a sense of confidence and pride in philanthropically supporting Stanford. The Assistant Director, Donor Relations, works alongside colleagues to create and deliver multiple large annual portfolios of impact reports to Stanford’s donors.

Impact reports and engagement activities, which highlight scholarships, fellowships, faculty positions, and programs, tell donors how much their gifts mean in advancing the work of students, professors, and academic programs. As such, they are key to maintaining excellent relationships with this important Stanford constituency. This is a great opportunity to strengthen ties between Stanford and its donors and alumni and to step into or further your career in donor relations.

Manage and implement a portfolio of annual reporting and donor engagement activities or projects.

• Coordinate with campus donor relations colleagues to identify key donor reports and engagement activities in an assigned school or unit fund portfolio in order to demonstrate the impact of giving to donors.
• Project manage and create the timely delivery of these communications, which may take the form of narrative reports, gift acknowledgments, written communications (hard copy, e-mail, or online content), video, or events.
• Request and secure messages of thanks from students and faculty via Qualtrics or other digital applications. Proofread messages according to department standards. Provide students and faculty with information about donors’ motivations and history in supporting Stanford.
• Input project‑related data and documents into the development database. Update records regularly to ensure data accuracy.
• Communicate with school and unit donor relations staff and fundraisers to fulfill reporting and engagement requests in order to strengthen the relationship between donors and the university and its representatives, including students and faculty.
• Perform an annual audit of each assigned school or unit fund portfolio to ensure that all related fund, donor, and recipient information is updated in the development database.
• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the Donor Relations Office, as well as an understanding of how it relates to the Office of Development and to other schools and units in the university.
• Participate in special projects and support colleagues in the central donor relations reporting group as needed.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• Strong client service orientation with the ability to understand a variety of client audiences, including students, faculty, and school or unit donor relations staff.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and professionalism to interact with people at all levels of an organization.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, including composing and editing clear and effective materials.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including organizing and managing multiple complex projects with competing deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understand and remember details about donors and projects.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite, Google Suite, database applications, and online survey tools. Experience with digital publication tools preferred.
• Experience with or ability to learn Stanford systems.

• Frequently perform desk‑based computer tasks, stand/walk, sit, use a telephone.
• Occasionally light/fine grasping, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds, writing by hand.

• May require…