• Job Description

  Req#: JR0002669

  Job Description:

  DIVISION: University Advancement
  
  DEPARTMENT: Constituent Relations

  REPORTS TO: Director of Stewardship and Constituent Relations

  BASIC FUNCTION:

  Fairfield University is seeking a Program Manager Stewardship & Constituent Relations to join the Stewardship Department within the University Advancement Division. This role provides programming support for all stewardship-related activities, ensuring that donors are meaningfully acknowledged, recognized, and engaged through strategic stewardship initiatives.

  Reporting to the Director of Stewardship and Constituent Relations, the Program Manager will assist with the implementation and management of core components of the donor stewardship program. This individual will play a key part in strengthening donor relations by ensuring accurate and timely acknowledgment, monitoring and reporting on donor funding utilization, and delivering personalized stewardship experiences that reflect the impact of philanthropic support. This position also works with University Advancement colleagues, academic and administrative department heads, the President’s Office, donors, and other constituents, as appropriate.

  UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS:

  Exposure to highly confidential information.

  EDUCATION:

  Bachelor’s degree required.

  EXPERIENCE:
  3+ years of related experience assisting with the execution of stewardship programs or similar roles within development or donor relations, preferably in higher education.

  KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills that are in alignment with the University’s mission, strategic messaging, and brand representation.

  • Excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office tools including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

  • Experience with key data-related systems is preferred, including Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge, Workday, Dropbox, as well as familiarity with graphic design platforms (e.g., Canva, Microsoft Sway), and project management or marketing platforms (e.g., Wrike).

  • Self-motivated and able to start and complete projects independently. Seeks direction when needed.

  • Ability to contribute to a professional working environment, as well as the ability to present a professional demeanor when interfacing with donors, coworkers, clients, and vendors.

  • Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends as required for meetings and special events.

  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  Fund Documentation and Fund Utilization Tracking

  • Monitor and analyze donor fund utilization to ensure efficient use of donor funding.

  • Create and maintain donor fund documentation for use by campus partners to ensure proper use of funding in alignment with donor intent.

  • Assist in the dissemination of information on newly established funds to campus colleagues and address inquiries on existing funds’ purpose, financial status, and historical background.

  • Assist in fund audits, including necessary data remediation and documentation updates.

  Gift Acknowledgement and other Communications

  • Support gift acknowledgment processes to ensure timely, accurate, and personalized gift acknowledgment letters for donors.

  • Draft donor acknowledgment templates and letters, pledge reminders, and various donor correspondence.

  Stewardship Reporting

  • Assist with fund reporting, including gathering information for stewardship updates and impact reports, preparation of data files for import/export, mail merges, personalization of letters/reports, and related administrative tasks.

  • Oversee the tracking, collection, and proofreading of student profiles and other communications.

  • Contribute to maintaining clean and accurate data within the stewardship system.

  Donor Recognition

  • Maintain accurate records of named donor recognition (physical spaces, faculty positions, etc.) and an inventory of available recognition opportunities.

  • Maintain up-to-date prospectuses of named and available donor recognition opportunities to assist prospect relationship managers.

  • Collaborate with internal partners and other prospect relationship managers on donor recognition signage fabrication.

  Additional Duties:

  • Responsible for general office administration, including managing office supplies, coordinating incoming requests, and maintaining office records.

  • Participate in professional development through participation in professional associations and relevant training, as well as in the professional development of the department.

  Required: Please submit a resume, cover letter, and writing samples.

  Performs other related duties as requested.

  Duties may be changed or added to at any time.

  Category:

  Advancement - Admin

  Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.
  

  *Disclaimer

  The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

  All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

  Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

  Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.

  Faculty Positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email the additional documents to the applicable contact in the job description.

  Staff positions: If you need to upload more than 5 documents, please either combine them to upload or email them to hr@fairfield.edu

• About the company

  Fairfield University is a private Jesuit university in Fairfield, Connecticut.

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