• Job Description

  Req#: 1853

  Overview

  The Assistant Director of Donor Relations plays an important role in advancing the college’s fundraising objectives through effective, optimized, and meaningful donor stewardship and recognition. The role will help implement and execute several facets of the Advancement department’s donor relations program, including but not limited to: managing gift acknowledgments and stewardship communications; managing special stewardship projects and producing impact reports; managing donor relations events; maintaining donor and fund records in the database; providing editorial support for various donor communication pieces; documenting and improving processes; conveying a proactive communications plan to internal partners (both within advancement as well as in other departments); and other responsibilities to support the donor relations team as assigned.

  Responsibilities

  Acknowledgement of Donors:

  Manages gift acknowledgment processes across the spectrum of donors who support Macalester, with a special emphasis on compliance with internal protocols and IRS regulations. Coordinates and collaborates with the President's and Vice-President for Advancement's offices to ensure strategic outreach to key stakeholders and alumni (including high-level acknowledgments). Supports a systematic and accurate pledge reminder system in coordination with the teams responsible for gift administration and data processing. Understands data and systems used in all acknowledgment processes to ensure accuracy and to identify opportunities for improvements. Has the writing chops to draft joyful, meaningful acknowledgement content. Incorporates industry best practices into Macalester’s gift acknowledgement process and leads in developing a sustainable, equitable system for thanking donors at all levels for their contributions to Macalester.

  Donor Reports and Stewardship:

  Organizes and prepares donor impact reporting and stewardship projects and assists with the department’s various stewardship efforts, including fund audits. Identifies new areas for targeted stewardship and reporting and assists in the development and implementation of those plans. Builds and grows trusted relationships with campus partners to maximize our ability to steward donors. Manages special and campaign stewardship and recognition projects. Assists in the coordination, implementation, and tracking of donor fund reporting.

  Events:

  Serves as program point person for donor relations events throughout the year by managing the planning process, collaborating with teammates on work assignments, executing event tasks, and tracking and reporting attendance and other measurable outcomes.

  Communications:

  Seeks opportunities to implement donor-centered communication strategies and best practices in donor relations communications. Provides editorial and reporting support for various donor communication pieces, and looks for opportunities to share meaningful impact with donors.

  Student Employee Management:

  Assists with the hiring and management of office student employee(s). Sets and coordinates work plans to support the student employee(s) during peak project times. Works closely with other members of the donor relations team to execute the department's work. Works in close collaboration with the development office to ensure optimized results for stewardship and recognition, and carry out other duties as assigned.

  Physical Recognition:

  Assists with recognizing donors to campaigns and other projects, including but not limited to physical recognition, named spaces and other public listings; maintains a database of physical memorials and named spaces. Coordinates recognition for giving societies.

  Diversity Equity and Inclusion:

  Infuses DEI best practices in both the work and the culture of the team. Engages in and promotes Macalester’s culture of diversity and inclusion.

  Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree.
  • 2+ years of experience working in Advancement/Development and/or in a Higher Ed setting.

  • Familiarity with the four pillars of Donor Relations: Acknowledgment, Stewardship, Recognition and Engagement.

  • Strong writing and proofreading skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to multi-task, work independently, and manage multiple projects with minimal supervision required; flexibility in work style and proven ability to prioritize, work on multiple projects, and meet deadlines.

  • Proven accuracy, attention to detail, and efficiency and excellent organizational skills.

  • Uses a strong donor relations or academic support background to assist the Director, Associate Director and key partners in strategy development messaging and outreach to meet constituent needs. Will actively strive to improve themselves, their work and our organization, a lively thinker who thrives in a relationship building role.

  • Strong interpersonal skills and professional demeanor; energetic team player with an enthusiastic and “customer service” attitude; ability to work with and communicate with a wide range of people - advancement staff, college administrators and leadership, students and faculty, donors and prospects; ability to exercise good judgement when dealing with donors, alumni and sensitive information.

  Compensation:

  The annual salary for this position is $51,000-$55,000

  Benefits:

  At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

  • 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan.
  • Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
  • Generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
  • Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
  • Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
  • Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching, and activities.

  These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer! To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page.

  Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

  Application Guidelines:

  For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities. All inquiries about this position should be directed to:

  Tracy Harris

  Talent Acquisition Manager

  tharris1@Macalester.edu

  Macalester is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from everyone who would add richness to our community, including people of color, individuals with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

  Macalester College - Institutional Overview

  Founded in 1874, Macalester College provides students with the inspiration, insight, and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Located in flourishing St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester enrolls over 2,000 students from across the country and around the world. Macalester is a preeminent liberal arts college recognized for its student service and celebration of internationalism.

  At Macalester, we look at our employees through a whole-person, holistic lens. With comprehensive benefits and well-being programs, we provide and enable our community members to grow and care for themselves, their families, and one another. Our whole-hearted fidelity to community-building and social justice exemplify these ideals. Macalester College continuously prioritizes a culturally diverse and pluralistic community. We value individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

  Our rich blend of people holding varied identities enhances our strong commitment to multiculturalism and global citizenship. We seek candidates who reflect and strengthen our campus environment. Macalester invites and encourages everyone to apply who would add depth to our community including those from all sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, religions, abilities, and ages.

• About the company

  Macalester College is a private liberal arts college in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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