Director Donor Engagement and Stewardship

Department

Engagement & Stewardship Management

Compensation

$70,000.00 to Negotiable Annual

General Description / Primary Purpose :

The Director of Donor Engagement & Stewardship leads the development and execution of a university-wide donor relations and stewardship strategy. This role focuses on building meaningful relationships with donors through thoughtful recognition, communication, and events.

Job Function :

Responsibilities include, but not limited to :

• Establish and refine best practices for donor relations and stewardship, with a focus on effective donor data management. Demonstrate proficiency in donor database systems to produce digital and print materials such as endowment reports, gratitude reports, and faculty impact reports. Regularly generate and analyze data to track key stewardship milestones—including donor birthdays, giving thresholds, years of giving, and other engagement indicators—to support personalized and timely donor engagement.
• Partner with development and advancement operations teams to design and execute impactful stewardship strategies for both scholarship and non-scholarship gifts and endowments.
• Lead a multifaceted organization with diverse stakeholders through a period of purposeful transformation. Cultivate partnerships that align with institutional goals and demonstrate a collaborative, forward-thinking approach.
• Design and implement a comprehensive matrix of donor engagement strategies—including email, direct mail, phone outreach, personal visits, and volunteer involvement—to build a sustainable culture of annual giving.
• Build and retain a high-performing team through charismatic, motivational leadership. Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and humor that drives progress and innovation.
• Generate innovative ideas, set measurable goals, and ensure successful implementation and follow-through to achieve organizational objectives.
• Develop and refine donor relations and stewardship processes, ensuring data integrity and alignment with industry best practices.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively across all levels of the university community. Foster an inclusive environment that encourages open dialogue and meaningful engagement.
• Plan and execute high-impact donor relations events and activities, continuously seeking new opportunities for meaningful donor outreach.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of donor communications across digital and print platforms, including stewardship letters, newsletters, annual reports, and welcome materials for new donors.

Marginal Functions :

May represent the university on local, system-wide or state committees.

During declared campus emergencies, this position may be required to perform specific job-related duties at a designated off campus location or place of residence.

Required documents to be uploaded :

1. Cover Letter

2. Resume

Applicants must complete an online application, as well as upload supplemental documents, in order to be considered for this position. Applicants who do not apply online and / or upload all the required documents will not be considered for this position. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Emily Gebbia at (904) 620-2177, or e.gebbia@unf.edu .

Required Qualifications

Master's and 6+ years of relevant experience or Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

Equal Opportunity

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.