Donor Relations Officer

POSITION: Donor Relations Officer DEPARTMENT: Office of University Advancement REPORTS TO: Assistant Vice President for University Advancement WORK SCHEDULE: Hybrid (3 days on campus; 2 days remote) Position Summary: Point Park University seeks a personable, tech-forward professional who loves higher education and thrives on building meaningful relationships. The Donor Relations Officer is a frontline fundraising and stewardship professional responsible for engaging alumni, parents, friends, faculty, and staff in support of the University's mission and priorities. This role manages a portfolio of annual giving prospects and donors, leads scholarship stewardship and outreach initiatives, and supports comprehensive annual giving strategies designed to grow philanthropic investment. This position plays a key role in strengthening donor retention and long-term engagement through strategic stewardship, meaningful scholarship management, and data-informed outreach. The successful candidate will combine relationship-building skills with operational excellence and technology fluency to elevate the donor experience and contribute to the continued growth of the Advancement team. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional seeking growth within a collaborative, forward-thinking Advancement office. Key Responsibilities Annual Giving & Fundraising Strategy Partner with the AVP to plan and execute a comprehensive annual giving strategy, including direct mail, digital appeals, texting, phone outreach, giving days, events, and social media campaigns. Manage a portfolio of annual giving prospects and donors, executing identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies. Analyze donor data and segmentation trends to inform outreach strategies and optimize results. Serve as an advocate for annual giving initiatives across campus. Scholarship Process Management & Strategic Outreach Oversee the full lifecycle management of endowed and current-use scholarships in collaboration with Financial Aid, Academic leadership, and Advancement staff. Coordinate scholarship agreements, donor criteria documentation, compliance requirements, and internal approvals. Lead annual scholarship outreach processes, including recipient communications, donor impact reporting, and thank-you letter collection. Facilitate meaningful engagement opportunities between scholarship donors and recipients when appropriate. Leverage scholarship stewardship as a strategic donor retention tool to deepen relationships and increase future giving. Maintain accurate scholarship documentation and activity tracking within the CRM system. Donor Relations & Stewardship Help design and implement a university-wide donor relations and stewardship strategy that ensures consistent recognition and engagement at all giving levels. Draft compelling donor communications, impact reports, acknowledgments, and recognition materials. Manage stewardship tracking processes to enhance donor satisfaction and increase the likelihood of continued contributions. Contribute donor and gift information for annual reports and other publications. Collaboration & Leadership Development Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to plan events, develop invitation lists, draft scripts and remarks, and coordinate donor recognition elements. Manage multi-phase projects from concept to execution while balancing multiple priorities and deadlines. Supervise and mentor practicum students and work-study students as assigned. Engage in professional development opportunities to support continued growth within Advancement. Maintain strict confidentiality and uphold the highest ethical standards. Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned. Qualifications Bachelor's degree required. 3-5 years of experience in fundraising, development, sales, marketing, or relationship management preferred. Experience in higher education or advancement strongly preferred. Preferred Skills & Experience Demonstrated success in relationship building, sales, or donor stewardship. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Experience with CRM systems, prospect research, segmentation strategies, and data analysis. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint. Comfort leveraging technology and digital engagement tools to enhance outreach efforts. Core Competencies Results-oriented with the ability to identify high-impact opportunities and prioritize effectively. Adaptable and open to innovation and new ideas. Collegial, professional, and enthusiastic in interactions with faculty, staff, students, and donors. Committed to advancing the University's mission and delivering an exceptional student experience. Demonstrates ethical judgment and integrity aligned with University policies and values. Job Posted by ApplicantPro