Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship
The George Mason University Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations invites qualified candidates to apply for a full-time Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship position. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason's academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations: Advancement's mission is to build strong, lifelong relationships with George Mason University's alumni and constituents, while matching their philanthropic interests with the university aspirations and priorities. The division is committed to serving the needs of the university, our alumni, and the greater community by providing access to quality education and lifelong learning. Respect, service, integrity, collaboration, diversity, transparency, and creativity are the values that guide our work and culture.

Responsibilities: The Director is an important partner in the strategic management of the University's relationship with its top donors. They will oversee all donor relations priorities within the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations and work with all members of the Advancement team and various university offices to envision and execute comprehensive donor relations and stewardship activities and programs that foster longstanding and successful relationships between George Mason University and its donors.

The Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship plays a leadership role within the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations, working to maintain and enhance the university's relationships with major donors and leadership volunteers through documentation, acknowledgement, recognition, and reporting. The Director oversees all donor relations and stewardship activities and operations, and supervises the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, and the Advancement Programs Specialist.

Specific Duties: * Envision, execute and lead a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program; * Oversee all donor relations and stewardship operations, including but not limited to Acknowledgement Letters, Pledge Reminders, Tribute Gifts, Endowment Reporting, Scholarship Stewardship, Faculty/Staff Stewardship, Recognition Societies, Naming Opportunities, Gift Agreements, Stewardship Events, Leadership Volunteer Stewardship and Engagement, and Individual Donor Reporting and Plans; * Design, implement, and evaluate metrics and data related to all donor relations and stewardship activities and operations in conjunction with the Associate Vice President, Advancement Relations and other senior staff members; * Develop, manage, and execute programs that steward and engage key constituent groups including but not limited to: donors recognized through annual, planned giving and cumulative recognition societies, key leadership volunteers, donors to scholarships, and faculty/staff donors; * Work collaboratively with schools/colleges, the George Mason University Foundation, Advancement Communications and other university stakeholders to execute best practice reporting and recognition activities and communications for donors; * Conceptualize and execute appropriate virtual and in-person donor recognition activities and events in collaboration with the Donor Relations and Stewardship team, Associate Vice President, Advancement Relations and the Vice President, Advancement and Alumni Relations; * Supervise, and provide mentoring and guidance to the Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship and the Advancement Programs Specialist; * Create, implement and maintain systems and tools to assist directors of development with donor relations and stewardship efforts; * Implement new recognition and stewardship efforts as appropriate; * Continue implementation and oversee maintenance of the Blackbaud Award Management platform stewardship module; * Oversee the preparation of invitation lists, sponsorship invitees (on behalf of the VP), mailing lists and data reports for use in all donor relations and stewardship activities; * Provide the highest level of responsiveness and customer service to internal and external constituencies; * Foster lasting relationships between George Mason University and its donors and promote positive attitudes toward giving; * Collaborate with colleagues in schools/units to design individual stewardship plans for major donors.

Required Qualifications: * Master's degree, preferably in English, communications or journalism, or equivalent education and experience; * A minimum of 5 years progressive experience in the field of stewardship/donor relations, and at least two years of supervisory experience; * A demonstrated understanding of the importance of donor relations and stewardship to a successful fundraising program; * Candidates should also have experience working with data and spreadsheets for mass mailings, communications, reporting and data review. * Additionally, successful candidates must have leadership experience in a complex environment, and the ability to effectively manage situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies; * Ability to establish measurable goals and objectives, motivate, manage performance, and develop and implement strategies for success; * Excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong interpersonal and customer service skills, with the ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility on information related to donors and the university, as well as the ability to represent the institution well; * Strong editing and writing skills as demonstrated through writing samples; * Strong business and organizational acumen with the ability to work effectively in a metrics-driven environment and a commitment to building a culture of engagement and philanthropy; * Negotiation, instructional, supervision, and persuasion skills; * Proven analytical skills with the ability to identify problems and propose and implement solutions; * Strong organizational skills, and the proven ability to work effectively and successfully on and off campus autonomously, while managing complex priorities and projects concurrently; * Superior problem solving and strategic planning skills; * Occasional staffing of events and other work outside of normal business hours is required.

Preferred Qualifications: * Extensive personnel management experience to include hiring, onboarding, mentoring/developing; * Previous experience in higher education advancement, strategic communications and event planning; * Familiarity with campus financial aid and college/school organizations and administration policies/procedures; * Familiarity with Advance, Blackbaud Award Management, Orbis, Anthology and Salesforce Affinaquest preferred.

"For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/ ; complete and submit the online application, and upload a cover letter, resume, three writing or work samples (2nd and 3rd samples, as Other doc.), and a list of three professional references with contact information.

The three samples can be a combination of any of the following: a writing sample, a work sample, a stewardship video, a recognition society brochure or something else that you feel speaks to your best work."

"Great Careers Begin at Mason!

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report "Up and Coming" spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason's diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition."