Assistant Director of Donor Relations

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff. Job Description: Amherst College invites applications for the Assistant Director of Donor Relations position. The Assistant Director of Donor Relations is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $61,545-commensurate with experience. Given Amherst’s distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community. The Assistant Director, working closely with the Director, designs, implements, and manages strategic programs and processes that will foster and sustain long-term, meaningful relations between the College and its donors. The Assistant Director is primarily responsible for overseeing ongoing stewardship programs for key donor groups, including the Donor Relations long-term stewardship portfolio, endowed professorship donors, and the 1821 Society; for planning and managing donor event, recognition, and communications projects; and for working with the Director in the creation and execution of gift agreements for the College. The individual will play a significant role in the efforts of Donor Relations and Advancement to foster long-term, meaningful relations between the College and its diverse array of donors through organized, effective, and inclusive stewardship, and as such, will serve as a highly valued member. The person in this role is expected to work as part of a collaborative and inclusive team including taking appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participating in the College’s efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment. In addition, all Advancement staff members are required to support and staff key events such as Reunion, Homecoming, and Family Weekend. These events may require occasional evening and weekend hours. Summary of Responsibilities Stewardship Programs - Strategize and coordinate stewardship activities and programs to demonstrate the impact of donors’ gifts and further their philanthropic relationships with the College. Oversee planning, scheduling, and outreach activities for the Donor Relations long-term stewardship portfolio, for stewardship of endowed professorship funds, and for the stewardship of 1821 Society donors in collaboration with the Amherst Fund. Coordinate special stewardship events that are appropriate and personalized to a wide array of donors and audiences while reflecting the College’s values of diversity and inclusivity. Work in partnership with frontline fundraisers when stewardship activities and events involve assigned prospects. Work with some donors and families directly on stewardship. Identify new areas for targeted stewardship and reporting and assist the department in developing those plans. Donor Recognition - Strategize and coordinate recognition activities for leadership giving donors, including recognition for named spaces and campus programs. Assist the Director of Donor Relations in planning campaign and recognition events, on- and off-campus, that honor alumni, parents, friends, and other supporters of the College; assist in planning all aspects of ground-breaking, building dedications, and gift celebrations for diverse audiences. The Assistant Director will also partner with the Director of Gift Planning regarding recognition and stewardship of planned gift donors and Johnson Chapel Associates. Ensure that naming and recognition activities and materials are properly tracked and shared among campus partners as appropriate, and are in alignment with the College’s priorities for the representation and inclusion of diverse constituents. Gift Documentation - Draft gift agreements and proposals in collaboration with the Director of Donor Relations, Associate Chief Advancement Officer, Controller’s Office, and gift officers. Assist the Director of Donor Relations in managing the gift agreement review, approval, and finalization process. Stewardship Communications - Partner with members of the Donor Relations team and the Advancement Communications team on the creation of stewardship presentation materials, stewardship reports and documents, stewardship publications, and recognition materials/items that highlight Amherst’s diverse constituents and donors and celebrate the College’s commitment to access and inclusivity. Identify opportunities to repurpose existing materials and primarily lead creation of new materials and publications. Qualifications Required: Bachelor’s Degree Three to five years of related experience in advancement. Excellent organizational, project management, interpersonal, customer service, and verbal and written communication skills, with a capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment, to be both self-reliant and independent yet also a team player and highly collegial and collaborative. Familiarity with and commitment to understanding the needs and preferences of a highly diverse group of constituents. Demonstrated expertise using relational databases and reporting software. Excellent skills in MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and web-based interfaces. Ability to learn new software programs. Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and tact. Attention to detail. Strong time management skills and effective, efficient decision-making skills. Occasional evening and weekend work is required, as per the nature of Donor Relations work. Cultural competence and the ability to excel in a diverse environment. Preferred: Professional experience in higher education, donor relations, or academic or comparable non-profit organization. Fundraising experience. Knowledge of fundraising databases. Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement. Amherst College requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (medical and religious exemptions may apply). Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information. Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs . Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Career icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. 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