Associate Director, Donor Relations

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for honoring donor intent and building systems that drive long-term impact? Join Brandeis University—ranked among the nation’s top private research institutions—as our next Associate Director of Donor Relations, and help ensure that the generosity of our supporters translates into meaningful outcomes for students, faculty, and programs across campus.

About the Role

In this highly collaborative and mission-driven position, you will play a vital role within the Office of Donor Relations. Reporting to the Executive Director of Donor Relations, you will collaborate across all areas of Institutional Advancement, as well as with campus partners and key stakeholders, to engage and inspire Brandeis’ donors at the highest level.

You will develop a recognition program for leadership donors in the university’s comprehensive campaign and oversee naming opportunities and named spaces. You will manage giving/recognition societies that focus on unrestricted annual giving, and you will be able to conceptualize, plan, and staff a variety of engaging stewardship events. As the go-to expert and strategic partner, you will bring knowledge of industry trends and best practices to all aspects of the Brandeis donor relations program.

This is a rare opportunity to combine analytical precision, operational leadership, and relationship-building in a role that directly supports Brandeis’ mission and donor community.

Key Responsibilities

Principal Gift Stewardship (40%)

• Maintains a portfolio of top university/campaign donors as stewardship manager. Develops customized stewardship strategies that incorporate donor reporting, recognition, and engagement opportunities. Meets regularly with principal and major gift officers to review strategy and adjust approaches as needed, and to review stewardship messaging and reporting materials.
• Researches, writes, and formats high-quality narrative and financial reports. Utilizes a variety of platforms to engage donors via digital, print, and in-person channels. Cultivates strong working relationships with faculty and staff across the university to keep donors informed about the programs and people they support. Identifies opportunities to maximize existing stewardship materials and create new donor communications pieces.
• Partners with the Executive Director of Donor Relations and donor relations colleagues to manage stewardship events from conceptualization to staffing, including inaugural chair events. Preps and facilitates individual meetings with donors and beneficiaries as needed.

Giving Societies (30%)

• Oversees the Board of Fellows, a high-level giving society, in partnership with the Board Chair and the Executive Director of Donor Relations.
• Tracks membership, produces regular communications and stewardship touches, plans and executes calls with university leadership and faculty each semester, coordinates with alumni relations and event planning colleagues on special events, receptions, regional programming, and travel programs that may be of interest to the Board of Fellows.
• Works with the Executive Director of Donor Relations and the Chair of the Board of Fellows to carry out the restructuring of the Board of Fellows, currently underway.

Donor Recognition (30%)

• Develops guidelines for signage and donor walls on campus that conform to campus branding and best practices.
• Implements a tracking system and maintains an inventory of named spaces and naming opportunities in Salesforce/Ascend.
• Collaborates with the Executive Director of Donor Relations and campaign staff to create innovative campaign recognition vehicles for leadership donors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, MA/MS preferred
• 5-8 years of experience in donor relations or stewardship, preferably in a university setting, including working with recognition and giving societies, and a practical knowledge of fundraising principles.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills are required. Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience managing events from inception to follow-up.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically and strategically.
• University campaign experience is a plus.
• Experience working in a donor database such as Salesforce, Raiser’s Edge NXT, Blackbaud CRM, etc., is preferred.
• Superior interpersonal skills with proven ability to successfully interact and collaborate with colleagues of various responsibility areas in a professional manner.
• Adheres to University and departmental business policies and procedures.
• Presents a collegial, collaborative, and customer-service demeanor that positively reflects the core values and standards of the institution and demonstrates tact and diplomacy.

Why Brandeis?

At Brandeis, we believe deeply in the power of philanthropy to transform lives. Our Institutional Advancement team is committed to excellence, transparency, and building lasting relationships with those who support our mission. We offer a hybrid work environment (3 days on campus, 2 remote), excellent benefits, and a community that values integrity, collaboration, and impact.

Ready to help ensure every donor gift makes the difference it was meant to?
 

Apply today and become part of a university that thrives on purpose.

Equal Opportunity Statement