Boston University
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, STEWARDSHIP PROJECT MANAGEMENT, Development & Alumni Relatio
Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, us, 02298
Our Mission
We in Boston University Advancement harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built and are continuing to build an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.
Donor Relations & Stewardship at Boston University The central Donor Relations & Stewardship team is responsible for the design and implementation of a strategic and integrated donor relations program for past and future contributors to enhance their relationships with the University. Through collaboration with Advancement colleagues and various offices across the University, the team creates meaningful communications and opportunities to express Boston University’s gratitude to its constituents and demonstrate the impact of their philanthropy.
Associate Director, Stewardship Project Management The Associate Director of Stewardship Project Management is an essential member of Boston University’s central Stewardship & Donor Relations team. Reporting to the Director of Stewardship & Donor Communications and working alongside the Executive Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations, this role provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and expert guidance for both annual stewardship reporting cycles (financial in winter; impact in spring/summer) as well as the growing portfolio of ad‑hoc/off‑cycle donor reporting requests. The Associate Director will professionalize project workflows, develop standardized processes and tools, and advise Advancement colleagues to enhance the quality, consistency, and timeliness of all stewardship communications. The Associate Director will coordinate critical stewardship communication by developing and maintaining comprehensive project schedules, workflows, and deliverables calendars. This position will partner closely with fellow Stewardship & Donor Communications team members to align scholarship stewardship with broader financial and impact reporting cycles and share best practices. In addition, the Associate Director will collaborate across Advancement— including schools/colleges/units, Business Intelligence, Advancement Communications—to streamline data processes, integrate content from academic and programmatic partners, and deliver high-impact donor communications that clearly articulate the value and impact of philanthropy. To professionalize our ad‑hoc and off‑cycle reporting processes, the Associate Director will standardize intake and triage procedures, establish clear guidelines, oversee request approvals, create and deliver training materials, templates and resources to empower Advancement staff, track key metrics, benchmark against peer institutions, and recommend continuous improvements that elevate the donor experience and support BU’s comprehensive fundraising goals.
Essential Functions
Strategic Communications.
Serve as the primary strategist and advisor on stewardship communications planning for schools/colleges/units and frontline fundraisers; consult on report scope, messaging, customization needs, and timing.
Collaborate with content creators and fund stewards to develop compelling donor‑focused narratives and impact stories.
Provide editorial and project support for student profiles, scholarship letters, and other engagement pieces that support donor recognition and retention.
Manage key stewardship communications, including email inbox triage and donor responses, in coordination with frontline fundraisers.
Project Leadership.
Lead full‑cycle project management for the annual reporting calendar, including oversight of timelines, workflows, deliverables, and cross‑functional coordination.
Design and implement an intake and approval process for ad‑hoc/off‑cycle stewardship reports and donor communications, including guidelines, intake forms, triage criteria and escalation protocols.
Track and enhance user experience within donor‑facing platforms, including digital report delivery systems.
Ensure quality control processes are applied to content and production workflows to uphold stewardship standards and brand alignment.
Process Optimization & Team Enablement.
Identify and implement process improvements and best practices in project tracking, reporting workflows, and content collaboration.
Contribute to team‑wide knowledge sharing, documentation, and process guides to ensure continuity and scalability.
Create training materials, templates, and resources for Advancement colleagues.
Other Duties as Assigned.
Support additional stewardship initiatives and special projects as determined by department leadership.
Participate in departmental committees or task forces focused on process excellence, technology adoption, or donor engagement strategy.
Educate and train colleagues on policies and best practices through a variety of communication tools and vehicles including written information, meetings, presentations, and staff training.
Required Skills
Bachelor’s degree.
5‑8 years of progressive experience in project management, donor relations/stewardship, development operations, marketing/communications, or related fields.
Demonstrated success leading complex projects with cross‑functional teams and tight deadlines.
Exemplary communications skills and the ability to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of individuals at all levels of management within and external to a university environment.
High emotional intelligence; adept at influencing, negotiating priorities, and managing change across distributed teams. Comfort with and ability to present to senior leadership and ability to train diverse audiences.
Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Jira, Trello).
Advanced organizational and time‑management skills with strong attention to detail.
Capacity to work in a fast‑paced environment involving high‑level stakeholders; ability to multi‑task and prioritize effectively. Exhibit a curiosity for streamlining processes using technology to improve outcomes and accuracy.
Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
Evening and weekend work may be required on occasion.
Preferred
Experience with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud, or equivalent).
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent training.
Experience managing program budgets or financial reconciliation.
Ability to analyze metrics and recommend process improvements using donor data.
Familiarity with higher education or nonprofit fundraising environments.
Enthusiasm for change and growth.
We are an equal‑opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Required Experience Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
5‑8 years of progressive experience in project management, donor relations/stewardship, development operations, marketing/communications, or related fields.
Demonstrated success leading complex projects with cross‑functional teams and tight deadlines.
Exemplary communications skills and the ability to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of individuals at all levels of management within and external to a university environment.
High emotional intelligence; adept at influencing, negotiating priorities, and managing change across distributed teams. Comfort with and ability to present to senior leadership and ability to train diverse audiences.
Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Jira, Trello).
Advanced organizational and time‑management skills with strong attention to detail.
Capacity to work in a fast‑paced environment involving high‑level stakeholders; ability to multi‑task and prioritize effectively. Exhibit a curiosity for streamlining processes using technology to improve outcomes and accuracy.
Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
Evening and weekend work may be required on occasion.
Preferred
Experience with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud, or equivalent).
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent training.
Experience managing program budgets or financial reconciliation.
Ability to analyze metrics and recommend process improvements using donor data.
Familiarity with higher education or nonprofit fundraising environments.
Enthusiasm for change and growth.
We are an equal‑opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Donor Relations & Stewardship at Boston University The central Donor Relations & Stewardship team is responsible for the design and implementation of a strategic and integrated donor relations program for past and future contributors to enhance their relationships with the University. Through collaboration with Advancement colleagues and various offices across the University, the team creates meaningful communications and opportunities to express Boston University’s gratitude to its constituents and demonstrate the impact of their philanthropy.
Associate Director, Stewardship Project Management The Associate Director of Stewardship Project Management is an essential member of Boston University’s central Stewardship & Donor Relations team. Reporting to the Director of Stewardship & Donor Communications and working alongside the Executive Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations, this role provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and expert guidance for both annual stewardship reporting cycles (financial in winter; impact in spring/summer) as well as the growing portfolio of ad‑hoc/off‑cycle donor reporting requests. The Associate Director will professionalize project workflows, develop standardized processes and tools, and advise Advancement colleagues to enhance the quality, consistency, and timeliness of all stewardship communications. The Associate Director will coordinate critical stewardship communication by developing and maintaining comprehensive project schedules, workflows, and deliverables calendars. This position will partner closely with fellow Stewardship & Donor Communications team members to align scholarship stewardship with broader financial and impact reporting cycles and share best practices. In addition, the Associate Director will collaborate across Advancement— including schools/colleges/units, Business Intelligence, Advancement Communications—to streamline data processes, integrate content from academic and programmatic partners, and deliver high-impact donor communications that clearly articulate the value and impact of philanthropy. To professionalize our ad‑hoc and off‑cycle reporting processes, the Associate Director will standardize intake and triage procedures, establish clear guidelines, oversee request approvals, create and deliver training materials, templates and resources to empower Advancement staff, track key metrics, benchmark against peer institutions, and recommend continuous improvements that elevate the donor experience and support BU’s comprehensive fundraising goals.
Essential Functions
Strategic Communications.
Serve as the primary strategist and advisor on stewardship communications planning for schools/colleges/units and frontline fundraisers; consult on report scope, messaging, customization needs, and timing.
Collaborate with content creators and fund stewards to develop compelling donor‑focused narratives and impact stories.
Provide editorial and project support for student profiles, scholarship letters, and other engagement pieces that support donor recognition and retention.
Manage key stewardship communications, including email inbox triage and donor responses, in coordination with frontline fundraisers.
Project Leadership.
Lead full‑cycle project management for the annual reporting calendar, including oversight of timelines, workflows, deliverables, and cross‑functional coordination.
Design and implement an intake and approval process for ad‑hoc/off‑cycle stewardship reports and donor communications, including guidelines, intake forms, triage criteria and escalation protocols.
Track and enhance user experience within donor‑facing platforms, including digital report delivery systems.
Ensure quality control processes are applied to content and production workflows to uphold stewardship standards and brand alignment.
Process Optimization & Team Enablement.
Identify and implement process improvements and best practices in project tracking, reporting workflows, and content collaboration.
Contribute to team‑wide knowledge sharing, documentation, and process guides to ensure continuity and scalability.
Create training materials, templates, and resources for Advancement colleagues.
Other Duties as Assigned.
Support additional stewardship initiatives and special projects as determined by department leadership.
Participate in departmental committees or task forces focused on process excellence, technology adoption, or donor engagement strategy.
Educate and train colleagues on policies and best practices through a variety of communication tools and vehicles including written information, meetings, presentations, and staff training.
Required Skills
Bachelor’s degree.
5‑8 years of progressive experience in project management, donor relations/stewardship, development operations, marketing/communications, or related fields.
Demonstrated success leading complex projects with cross‑functional teams and tight deadlines.
Exemplary communications skills and the ability to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of individuals at all levels of management within and external to a university environment.
High emotional intelligence; adept at influencing, negotiating priorities, and managing change across distributed teams. Comfort with and ability to present to senior leadership and ability to train diverse audiences.
Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Jira, Trello).
Advanced organizational and time‑management skills with strong attention to detail.
Capacity to work in a fast‑paced environment involving high‑level stakeholders; ability to multi‑task and prioritize effectively. Exhibit a curiosity for streamlining processes using technology to improve outcomes and accuracy.
Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
Evening and weekend work may be required on occasion.
Preferred
Experience with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud, or equivalent).
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent training.
Experience managing program budgets or financial reconciliation.
Ability to analyze metrics and recommend process improvements using donor data.
Familiarity with higher education or nonprofit fundraising environments.
Enthusiasm for change and growth.
We are an equal‑opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Required Experience Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree.
5‑8 years of progressive experience in project management, donor relations/stewardship, development operations, marketing/communications, or related fields.
Demonstrated success leading complex projects with cross‑functional teams and tight deadlines.
Exemplary communications skills and the ability to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of individuals at all levels of management within and external to a university environment.
High emotional intelligence; adept at influencing, negotiating priorities, and managing change across distributed teams. Comfort with and ability to present to senior leadership and ability to train diverse audiences.
Experience with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Jira, Trello).
Advanced organizational and time‑management skills with strong attention to detail.
Capacity to work in a fast‑paced environment involving high‑level stakeholders; ability to multi‑task and prioritize effectively. Exhibit a curiosity for streamlining processes using technology to improve outcomes and accuracy.
Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
Evening and weekend work may be required on occasion.
Preferred
Experience with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud, or equivalent).
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent training.
Experience managing program budgets or financial reconciliation.
Ability to analyze metrics and recommend process improvements using donor data.
Familiarity with higher education or nonprofit fundraising environments.
Enthusiasm for change and growth.
We are an equal‑opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr