Assistant Director, Donor Relations & Alumni Engagement

The Assistant Director for Stewardship and Alumni Engagement will create and execute a strategic vision for donor stewardship and alumni engagement for the College of Science (COS). The primary function of this position is to build and cultivate relationships and forge partnerships with COS donors, alumni, faculty, and local communities resulting in a strong pipeline for major gifts. This position will manage the Galileo Circle (the College's giving society) and implement programming that supports the College's engagement with donors and alumni.

The Assistant Director of Donor Stewardship and Alumni Relations is a key member and will work collaboratively with the entire College Development and Alumni Engagement Team. Additionally, this individual is expected to work with the Dean, Department Heads and other College staff, the Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) team, and University of Arizona (UA) administrative offices as appropriate. This position is a member of the Philanthropy Alumni & Engagement Program (PAE) and subject to joint management by (unit) and the University of Arizona Foundation as specified in the Amended and Restated Development Services and Asset Management Agreement dated July 2, 2021.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Under direction of supervisor and in partnership with the PAE central stewardship and alumni engagement teams, help to develop, implement and execute strategic comprehensive stewardship and alumni engagement program, including tailored strategies and tactics for major and principal gift donors and broad programming for recognition at all major gifts and principal gift levels which align with University and College goals and priorities.
• Facilitate timely and personalized acknowledgment of gifts, creation of and reporting on endowments including annual endowment impact reports, periodic donor reports, and donor recognition and stewardship events and activities in accordance with PAE Acknowledgement Guidelines.
• Develop and implement customized stewardship plans for assigned donors and facilitate prospect plan stewardship steps, in partnership with development officers, to support major gift fundraising efforts.
• Partner with PAE's board and donor and principal gifts teams to steward principal gift donors. Track stewardship plans and activities in donor database.
• Coordinate communications efforts related to alumni engagement and donor stewardship including providing the central MarCom team with possible alumni and donor story ideas, submitting event information for the Alumni website, and other outreach efforts.
• Working in collaboration with PAE partners, utilize available data and analytics to assess program effectiveness and make data-driven recommendations.
• Serve as a resource and liaison for alumni and donors, addressing inquiries and fostering lifelong connections with the University.
• Assist in managing alumni and donor advisory boards and/or volunteer groups.
• As directed, track and capture information related to alumni metrics including engagement activities, event participation, volunteer involvement, and contributions to fundraising initiatives.
• As available, use alumni and donor data insights to improve outreach strategies, retention and increase overall affinity for the University.
• Oversee the development of virtual and in-person events to engage alumni, including Homecoming events, reunions, networking opportunities to meet with leadership, and other local/regional/national events and recognition programs.
• Meet with College of Science donors and alumni to determine their interest in being engaged further with the College and University. Complete and record an identified number of personal contacts with donors/alumni annually. This will include substantive in-person, written and phone contacts.
• After training, assist with identifying prospects who can be qualified for major gifts and make referrals to the College of Science Assistant Dean for Development and Alumni qualification. Track and capture information related to alumni metrics including engagement activities, event participation, volunteer involvement, referrals for qualification and contributions to fundraising initiatives following PAE processes and policies in Lynx.
• Help develop and execute strategies to grow a culture of philanthropy among students and young alumni including partnering with the COS Career Center and Student Success/Advising teams.
• Oversee the creation of donor plaques, signage, and other physical recognition elements for college-level stewardship program, in accordance with PAE and university policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Conduct regular reviews of stewardship plans and steps with all involved parties, document progress and updates in Lynx in a timely manner.
• Set and report on goals to increase, diversify, and better engage Galileo Circle members, manage annual membership renewal process and solicit members.
• Maintain records on Galileo Circle members, membership giving, and event participation in designated PAE systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Commitment to working in a collaborative team environment with shared goals.
• Ability to work efficiently with a wide range of individuals, including donors, PAE colleagues, deans, faculty, and staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and strong interpersonal abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to exceptional customer service, with the ability to apply the PAE guiding principles of donor-centricity and collaboration in daily work.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines with general supervision.
• Ability to assess work priorities and adjust to shifting demands in coordination with supervisors or team leads.
• Effective problem-solving skills and the ability to use sound judgment in routine situations requiring tact and confidentiality.
• Dependable work ethic and initiative within established guidelines and procedures.
• Flexibility and openness to new ideas, with the ability to adapt to a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment with occasional ambiguity.
• Ability to contribute to a cooperative and supportive team atmosphere.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Willingness and ability to learn additional software and systems as required for the role.
• Knowledge of fundraising, scholarships, and/or financial aid.
• Knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles.
• Knowledge of CRM and donor/alumni data systems (e.g., Blackbaud), with ability to learn additional platforms as required.
• Availability to travel and to work evenings or weekends as needed.

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

• Experience with Blackbaud CRM or other constituent relationship management (CRM) systems.
• Experience with UAccess.
• Experience with UAFDN.org.
• Experience inputting, tracking, and extracting information from databases.