Donor Relations & Stewardship Manager

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

The Manager of Donor Relations & Stewardship creates, implements, manages and assesses a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program. This position appropriately and consistently promotes interactions with and recognition of donors at all levels to assist WGU Advancement in reaching its strategic fundraising goals. The Manager will work collaboratively within Advancement and across WGU to execute personalized and comprehensive donor engagement, communications, and acknowledgement while utilizing technology and the donor database effectively.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates commitment to WGU's mission, goals, and aspirations, as well as adherence to the Donor Bill of Rights particularly as they relate to donor acknowledgement and gift reporting.

• Honors donor privacy and is aware and current on privacy issues and best practices as they relate to donor relations.

• Directs, initiates, and informs conversations surrounding the development and implementation of a best-in-class donor relations and stewardship program at WGU that targets all levels of giving.

• Responsible for consistent, accurate, and appropriate information-sharing mechanisms for stewarding prospects and donors.

• Proactively support the stewardship responsibilities of the development staff by assisting them in establishing and coordinating individualized stewardship plans for donors as appropriate.

• Ensures all gifts are acknowledged in a timely and appropriate manner. This may include, but not be limited to tax receipts, IRS tax forms, pledge statements/reminders, year-end contribution statements, thank you letters, and endowment reports.

• Recognize all gifts and pledges in a timely and appropriate manner. This may include, but not be limited to, Annual/Impact Reports, e-communications, web pages, invitations, newsletters, fundraising materials, and press releases.

• Segments stewardship and donor relations activities by constituent type (e.g. alumni, employees, board members, etc.) and level (annual fund, leadership annual giving, major gifts, etc.) in order to provide a custom and appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.

• Acts as a resource and specialist to Advancement personnel in order to provide personalized cultivation and stewardship assistance to donors and prospects. Assists with the planning and execution on donor-centric events, which may include planning, communications, calendaring, invitations and invitation lists, and event program and/or activities.

• Develops annual reports for endowment funds and one-time gifts.

• Tracks donor relations and stewardship activities in the established database, Salesforce, and understands how to use data to drive daily activities, processes, and create work efficiencies.

• Responsible for identifying, ordering, and maintaining inventory WGU Advancement giveaways, gifts, and other materials designed for donors.

• Brings creativity and joy to connecting with our donors and celebrate giving.

Qualifications

• Technical literacy including processes, reports and metrics required for donor relations and stewardship programs and databases.

• Professional and proficient writer, editor, proofreader, grammar, spelling and attention to detail, includes business letter writing and clear, concise administrative and technical reports.

• Demonstrated ability and experience with project management and program planning.

• Relationship builder, networker and partnership oriented.

• Must be comfortable dealing with a range of constituents.

• General knowledge of IRS rules regarding philanthropic gifts.

• Understanding of, and adherence to, Donor Bill of Rights.

• Entrepreneurial spirit and independent problem solver.

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Works to achieveoperational targets withsignificant to majorimpact on department,Function, or Officeresults. May beresponsible for managinglarge projects orprocesses within thedepartment,function, oroffice.

• Performs workas directed withlimited oversight.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Responsible forleveraging a systems-thinkingapproach,makingmoderate tosignificant improvementsof processes, systems,and plans within thedepartment, Function, orOffice.

• Problems and issuesfaced are numerous andchallenging,willrequiredetailed informationgathering and analysis.Problems typically affectmultiple areas orspecialties.

Communication & Influence:

• Collaborates cross-functionally withemployeeswithin and outside ofthedepartment.Typicallyhasresponsibility forcommunicating withparties external to theUniversity.

• Works to influenceparties within andoutside thedepartment, Function, orOffice regarding policies,procedures, andpractices.

Leadership & Talent Management

• Isresponsible forproviding guidance,coaching, and training toother employees in thedepartment, Function, orOffice.Responsible for managingprojects involvingdelegation of work andreview of others' workproducts.

• Demonstratesthe WGUleadership principles inall aspects of service tostudents, employees,andpartners ofWGU.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.

Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of specific work experience preferably in a complex non-profit organizational setting with multiple stakeholders.

• Intermediate experience/skill with Salesforce CRM.

• Up to 10% travel, and some weekend work is required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated interest in working in higher education and with donors

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.