Director of Donor Relations and Special Events

Director of Donor Relations and Special Events

McDaniel College is a four‑year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the original “Colleges That Change Lives,” McDaniel emphasizes experiential learning and student‑faculty collaboration to develop the unique potential in every student. Represented by the Green Terror, over 20 athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference. A student‑centered community of 1,600 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students offers access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., plus a European campus in Budapest, Hungary.

This position has a budgeted hiring rate of $95,000. The position is classified as an A5. The A5 salary band for all full‑time, 12‑month positions at the college with this classification have a minimum rate of $60,000 and a maximum rate of $135,000. The actual schedule for exempt positions may vary based on the workload and responsibilities assigned.

McDaniel College offers tuition remission, 403B retirement accounts, paid time off, medical insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and paid maternity and parental leave.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement that oversees development and donor relations, the Director of Donor Relations provides strategic leadership to strengthen relationships of the college with its donors. The position oversees and manages the donor stewardship program designed to complement the efforts of the President, Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA), Executive Vice President for Constituent Engagement (EVPCE), the Senior Associate Vice Presidents for Institutional Advancement and the Associate Vice President/Director of Development (AVP) and the development staff to cultivate and engage annual, major and planned giving prospects and donors including the Board of Trustees.

The position also leads processes to appropriately steward gifts from annual, major and planned giving donors. The Director creates and manages high‑end, personalized donor stewardship events. Within the constituent engagement model under the leadership of the executive vice president of constituent engagement, the director of donor relations identifies and implements cross‑divisional strategies to connect with donors and other constituent groups in innovative and meaningful ways.

This position serves as a strategic leader responsible for developing, planning, and executing donor visit experiences. This role is central to shaping how donor and VIPs engage with McDaniel, ensuring every touchpoint is thoughtful, impactful, and aligned with development goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Specific Responsibilities

• Plans, implements and analyzes the overall college donor relations plan. This includes campaign stewardship‑related activities, events, and communications and cross‑divisional and cross‑constituent planning.
• Creates and implements donor stewardship events in collaboration with the Office of Communications and Marketing, development office, constituent engagement office, and Office of Public Relations. This includes the Founders Society Celebration, Scholarship Luncheon, and the Legacy Society event during Alumni Weekend.
• Leads the college's donor relations and stewardship program, overseeing gift recognition societies, donor acknowledgements, stewardship requirements, and recognition for major, legacy, and leadership donors.
• Manages high‑level donor engagement initiatives, including donor events, recognition programs, naming opportunities, and personalized stewardship plans and materials. Collaborates with gift officers, academic and administrative leadership, Advancement Services, Marketing and Communications, and the President's Office to strengthen donor relationships, communicate philanthropic impact, and ensure compliance with gift agreements.
• Oversees donor relations communications, reporting, budgeting, metrics, technology tools, and fund stewardship activities, while maintaining a portfolio of key donors and providing strategic guidance for capital campaigns, donor recognition, and…