Director of Donor Relations

DePauw University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: Women, members of underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.   Position will remain open until filled.    

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship at this time.DePauw University seeks an experienced, relationship focused and strategic Director of Donor Relations to lead the design and execution of a comprehensive stewardship program that deepens engagement, celebrates philanthropy, and strengthens the culture of giving among alumni, parents, and friends of the University.This is a highly outward-facing role requiring regular interaction with donors through personal meetings, phone calls, and correspondence. The Director will actively build and sustain relationships with key supporters, ensuring that donors feel meaningfully connected to the life of the University and understand the tangible results of their generosity.The Director will oversee donor acknowledgment, recognition, and impact reporting efforts—ensuring that every donor, from first-time contributors to transformational benefactors, experiences the full gratitude and transparency that reflect DePauw’s values and mission.This position plays a key leadership role within the Development and Alumni Engagement team, collaborating closely with University Communications, Annual Giving, Major and Planned Giving, and University leadership to advance DePauw’s philanthropic priorities, including the Bold, Gold and You! campaign.

Donor Stewardship and Recognition

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive, relationship focused donor relations strategy that enhances donor retention, satisfaction, and long-term engagement.

• Conduct regular donor outreach—including meetings, phone calls, and personalized communications—to convey appreciation, share impact updates, and strengthen relationships.

• Oversee the timely and personalized acknowledgment of all gifts to the University, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with DePauw’s voice and values.

• Oversee impact reporting which includes production of donor impact reports, stewardship publications, and annual reports that demonstrate the measurable difference philanthropy makes on campus.

• Implements strategy focused on ensuring donor understanding of philanthropic impact through direct communication, curated opportunities for engagement and recognition.

• Develop and manage recognition programs for lifetime, annual, and campaign giving societies.

• Partner with the Development team to design and implement customized stewardship plans for principal and major donors, including direct engagement with high-level supporters.

• Ensure a low pledge default rate by overseeing a retention strategy to deepen connections between donors and the university while maintaining a timely and informative pledge reminder program. 

Campaign and Strategic Initiatives

• Serve as a key strategist for donor engagement and recognition during the Bold, Gold and You! campaign and related initiatives.

• Communicate directly with donors regarding campaign milestones, matching opportunities, and impact updates to reinforce transparency and inspire continued support.

• Coordinate special communications and events that celebrate philanthropic milestones, endowed gifts, and other campaign successes.

• Collaborate with University leadership and Advancement teams to ensure cohesive, mission-aligned messaging across all donor communications.

Events and Experiences

• Partners with events staff for the planning and execution of donor recognition events, including dedications, scholarship luncheons, and leadership donor gatherings.

• Act as an on-site host and University representative at donor events, engaging directly with donors and ensuring an exceptional and meaningful experience.

• Collaborate with University Communications and Events teams to ensure brand consistency and high-quality interactions across all stewardship touchpoints.

Collaboration and Leadership

• Supervise and mentor donor relations staff and student assistants, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and accountability.

• Partner with colleagues across campus—academic departments, financial aid, and student life—to collect impact stories and demonstrate the difference philanthropy makes at DePauw.

• Establish metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of donor relations programs and report progress regularly to Advancement leadership.

• Contribute to the overall strategy and goals of the Development and Alumni Engagement team, serving as an active, visible, and collaborative member of the advancement community.

• Other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

Accountability- Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.

Accuracy- Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.

Active Listening – Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.

Ambition – The extent to which an individual demonstrates drive and initiative in seeking personal advancement or recognition.

Analytical Skills- The ability of the individual to gather raw data and to process that data into a meaningful form.

Assertiveness- A communication style that a person can use to facilitate the completion of a work assignment.

Coaching and Development- Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas.

Communication, Oral- Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.

Communication, Written- Ability to communicate in writing clearly and concisely.

Consensus Building- Ability to bring about group solidarity to achieve a goal.

Customer Oriented- A desire to serve both external and internal clients by focusing effort on meeting the clients’ needs, understanding their concerns, and seeking to build trust.

Decision Making- Ability of the individual to select an effective course of action while controlling resources and expenditures.

Detail Oriented- Ability to pay attention to the minute details of a project or task.

Diversity Oriented- Commitment to valuing a variety of different experiences, encouraging input and collaboration from campus stakeholders, including being mindful of experiences related, but not limited to: age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, LGBTQ, and/or job type.

Interpersonal- Ability to get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.

Initiative- Ability of the individual to act and take steps to solve or settle an issue.

Interpersonal- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with others.

Judgment- The ability to formulate a sound decision using the available information.

Leadership – Ability to motivate and guide others to ensure performance in accordance with clear expectations and goals. It involves attracting, supporting, developing, and retaining a talented and diverse workforce.

Management Skills - ability of the individual to achieve desired outcomes by setting goals and priorities that deliver results.

Organized- Possessing the trait of being organized or following a systematic method of performing a task.

Presentation Skills- Ability to effectively present information publicly.

Project Management- Ability to organize and direct a project to completion.

Relationship Building- Ability to establish and maintain a good rapport and cooperative relationship with customers and co-workers.

Reliability- Ability to be dependable and trustworthy.

Responsible- Ability of the individual to be trustworthy or answerable for their conduct.

Safety Awareness – Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety and uphold safety standards.

Self-Motivated- Ability of the individual to reach a goal or perform a task with little supervision or direction.

Time Management- Ability to utilize the available time to organize and complete work within given deadlines.

Tolerance- Ability of the individual to show respect for the rights and opinions of others.

Training- Ability to develop a particular skill in others to bring them up to a predetermined standard of work performance.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, development communications, or related field, preferably in higher education.

Communication/Language:Strong: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Computer Skills: Google applications, Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with Workday a plus.

Other Requirements:

• Proven ability to cultivate relationships with donors through in-person meetings, calls, and personalized communication.

• Exceptional writing, storytelling, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience managing projects, budgets, and personnel.

• Strong analytical and organizational abilities with a high level of attention to detail.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and the liberal arts mission of DePauw University.

Physical Demands Lift/CarryStand F (Frequently)Walk F (Frequently)Sit O (Occasionally)Handling / Fingering O (Occasionally)Reach Outward O (Occasionally)Reach Above Shoulder O (Occasionally)Climb O (Occasionally)Crawl O (Occasionally)Squat or Kneel O (Occasionally)Bend O (Occasionally)Speak O (Occasionally)10 lbs or less O (Occasionally)11-20 lbs O (Occasionally)21-50 lbs O (Occasionally)51-100 lbs N (Not Applicable)Over 100 lbs N (Not Applicable)Push/Pull12 lbs or less O (Occasionally)13-25 lbs O (Occasionally)26-40 lbs O (Occasionally)41-100 lbs N (Not Applicable)N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this occupation.O (Occasionally) Occupation requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)F (Frequently) Occupation requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)C (Constantly) Occupation requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance, Peripheral, Depth Perception, Color)

Hearing (Auditory perception, or audition)WORK ENVIRONMENTNormal office environment.

We are proud to recognize the active participation of faculty and staff in adding to the heritage of building and supporting vibrant, intellectual and creative lives for students and for ourselves.  

Principles of collaboration, respect for each other, diversity, freedom of expression, accountability and service guide the daily decisions and interactions across campus.  

DePauw University, in affirmation of its commitment to excellence, endeavors to provide equal opportunity for all individuals in its hiring, promotion, compensation and admission procedures. Institutional decisions regarding hiring, promotion, compensation and admission will be based upon a person’s qualifications and/or performance without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, gender, gender identity or gender expression, except where religion, gender, or national origin is a bona fide occupational qualification.

DePauw University’s goals and commitments are best served if the institution reflects the diversity of our society; hence, DePauw seeks diversity in all areas and levels of employment and abides by all local, state, and federal regulations concerning equal employment opportunities. The University admits, hires and promotes individuals upon their qualities and merits.

Employee Benefits Overview

There are many benefits offered to DePauw Employees.

For full time benefits eligible employees these benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance.  Basic Life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) and Long Term Disability are paid for by DePauw University.  Full time employees may elect to purchase additional voluntary life insurance for themselves and their dependents. Additional voluntary benefits, Tuition Remission and Exchange, as well as Relocation Allowance are also employee benefits. See the Benefits Hub.

All employees may participate in the retirement savings plan, as well as employee discounts and access to University resources. 

At DePauw, we recognize that our employees need to balance work and home.  Please refer to University Policies for Vacation Time, Personal Time  (hourly) and Sick Time policies in the Employee Handbook for more information on these and other benefits.  When you need support, the Cigna Employee Assistance benefit is available to all employees and their households.

ENJOY ACCESS TO THE AMAZING FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS DEPAUW UNIVERSITY HAS TO OFFER, SUCH AS:

• Welch Fitness Center and wellness classes
• Indoor Tennis and Track Center
• University Libraries
• Peeler art galleries
• Green Center for the Performing Arts events and programs
• Ubben lecture series
• Free athletic events
• Bookstore and Starbucks (Greencastle) discounts
• Employee discounted meal plan
• Free parking
• Nature park, including walking and biking trails
• Personal duplicating and printing discounts

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