Converse University

Director of Donor Relations and Events

Converse University, Spartanburg

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Director of Donor Relations and Events is responsible for Converse's comprehensive effort to acknowledge, recognize, and engage donors at all levels. This position is also responsible for the project management and operational oversight of special events which enhance external relations, support fundraising efforts, and bolster the organization's mission. As a member of the advancement team, this role is accountable for programmatic stewardship activity including broad-based and highly personalized reporting, creating and facilitating curated donor experiences, and overseeing the coordination of Institutional Advancement events.

The Director of Donor Relations and Events reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations and is a member of the Institutional Advancement staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/ NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership and Strategy (25%):

Coordinates with the President's Office the stewardship of high-level constituents and partners of the University, and coordination of donor-related events and visits.
Works with the Philanthropy and Communications Teams to evaluate, adopt, promote, and steward Converse Giving Societies and related events.
Supports metrics-driven donor relations activity in collaboration with Advancement Services and Philanthropy Officers.
Consults with Chief Financial Officer and Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees to implement endowed fund spending policies, presenting to Trustees as required.

Event Management and Oversight (25%):

Organizes and manages key events that celebrate donors and showcase the impact of their gifts, including but not limited to: Alumni Events, Holiday Cheer, the Dexter Edgar Converse Award Ceremony, Annual Higher Education Day at the South Carolina Statehouse, and Converse's Spring Garden Party.
Provides strategic oversight on Institutional Advancement events, ensuring that scheduling, logistics, and resource allocation are on track and meet expectations.
Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to foster collaboration and ensure efficient workflow.
Develops detailed project plans, timelines, and budgets for events.

Acknowledgment and Stewardship (20%):

Produces weekly thank you letters and postcards, reports and acknowledges all foundation gifts, reports and acknowledges all endowment gifts, and coordinates with the Director of Annual Fund on personalized stewardship for Converse Annual Fund gifts.
Coordinates the University's efforts to honor donors, as appropriate, including, but not limited to, all naming opportunities, awards, and donor plaques.
Collaborates with the Director of Facilities to coordinate all donor plaques and potential naming opportunities on campus and collaborates with Advancement Services to maintain accurate records of all campus-wide naming recognition.
Establishes and maintains contact with scholarship students, including facilitating communication and connection between these students and related donors.
Designs and implements the strategy to secure proper donor recognition from all endowed scholarship recipients.
Records all relevant stewardship correspondence into Converse's donor management system (DonorPerfect).

Fund Management and Reporting (20%):

Works with the Office of Financial Planning, Office of Admissions, Business Office, and the Associate Director of Advancement Services on the process of awarding endowed and named scholarships on an annual basis.
Works with campus colleagues to ensure naming of Endowed Chairs and annual awards. Ensures annual endowment reporting is delivered in a timely manner.
Collaborates with cross-campus partners to ensure funds, including scholarships, are spent in accordance with donor intent and in a timely manner, and monitors utilization.
Ensures annual scholarship reporting is delivered in a timely manner.
Ensures annual off-cycle reporting for scholarships, fellowships, and other restricted funding is delivered in a timely manner.

Engagement and Collaboration (10%):

Coordinates with gift officers and Advancement Services on creating gift agreements and maintaining donor documentation.
Serves on the Scholarship Committee.
Serves on institutional committees and participates in other projects and events as required.
Other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Relations.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (relevant experience will be considered in lieu of Bachelor's degree).
Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in higher education setting.
Minimum of 3 years' experience in donor relations, development, event planning, or comparable experience.
Advanced knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Professional and engaging interaction with alumni and the external community required.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.
Strong project management skills from inception to completion and ability to suggest new techniques to improve productivity and save resources.
Ability to understand and communicate the goals of projects and meet deadlines.
Proven ability to write and speak articulately, convincingly, and inspiringly.
Ability to take appropriate steps to promote and sustain effective working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment.

Preferred qualifications:

An earned master's or doctorate/terminal degree.
Proficiency in donor management system (Donor Perfect, or equivalent).
Prior management responsibilities.
Direct experience in donor relations or frontline fundraising.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

Self-starter who takes initiative, anticipates, challenges, and follows through to deliver results.
Extensive understanding of the value of a liberal arts education and a passion for the mission, history, culture, and future of Converse University.
Excellent organizational, communication and personal relationship skills.
Ability to relate to alumni and friends of all ages and geographic areas and to work effectively, developing and sustaining lasting relationships.
Must be able to organize and prioritize work, be proactive, take initiative, resolve problems, follow through and simultaneously manage multiple priorities to ensure goals are met in a timely manner.
Ability to work in a close and collaborative way with members of the Institutional Advancement division, as well as other members of the college's faculty and staff.
Comfortable managing multiple projects, priorities and deadlines.
Must be willing to work extended hours (nights and weekends as needed) based on the needs of the university, specifically related to the planning and execution of special events.
Commitment to the highest standards of customer service and professionalism.
Compliance with the University's Service Expectations.
Well-grounded philosophy of honesty, integrity and respect.
Ability to collaborate and guide the integrity and maintenance of the donor bill of rights, in addition to database records and files including those used to track donor and gift information, endowments, major gifts, and other contributions.
Embraces diversity and fosters inclusion in all aspects of life.
Performs other duties as deemed appropriate by the President and/or Vice President for Institutional Advancement and/or Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement. Knowledge and fluency in DonorPerfect or equivalent CRM databases.

GUIDELINES AND SUPERVISION: This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement, and works closely with donors, campus constituents, the Institutional Advancement Division, alumni and other friends of the college. The role will manage interns and work-study students as needed. The nature of the work of this office requires this staff member to exemplify professionalism; this position works independently to steward donors, manage endowment and scholarship reporting, and provides support to the Institutional Advancement department for events, meetings, and management of relationships. This individual has a duty to exercise discretion, confidentiality and independent judgment with respect to matters of donor. The individual is also responsible for the recording of all data in DonorPerfect.

Work Schedule: Converse University standard operating hours; however, some nights and weekends may be required.

Licenses: None required.

DISCLAIMER: The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job.

We believe that a diverse faculty and staff are essential to achieving academic excellence; thus, we strongly encourage applications from candidates from all racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.