Donor Relations Officer

What Is Institutional Advancement & who should apply?

Our team works cohesively to build strategic relationships, keep alumni connected to each other and to the University, and match philanthropic goals with institutional priorities to advance, support, and sustain the University’s mission. Our division relies on the constant collaboration of our departments – External Affairs, Alumni & Donor Engagement, Development & Advancement Services, and Strategy, Talent & Culture.

As America’s leading Hispanic-serving university, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is dedicated to increasing access to excellent higher education and positively impacting the community we serve. In Institutional Advancement (IA), we know that our success is built on the contribution of a team that is diverse in its people, thought, and experience. Our culture of care and inclusive excellence is more than a commitment at UTEP IA—it is the foundation of all that we do.

Read on to understand more about who we’re looking for in this role, what you’ll do, and the skills and experiences we’re after. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in UTEP and Institutional Advancement as well as what you hope to bring to this role.

Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria.
Yet, women and other people from systemically marginalized communities will only apply if they meet every requirement. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Who we want

Institutional Advancement is poised to go through significant growth over the next few years. As we build out our Donor Programs team, we are searching for our next Donor Relations Officer.

You’re innovative and strategic, with a deep understanding of the hallmarks of excellent donor stewardship: showing appreciation for their gifts, building continuous relationships, learning about the unique interests of each donor, and creating opportunities to keep them engaged with the university.

You have strong organizational skills and a laser-focused attention to detail. You are able to work independently and take the initiative to accomplish tasks and objectives. With a positive attitude you take pride in approaching your work with intention and a growth mindset.

What you’ll do

Reporting to Sandra Serio, our Director of Donor Relations, you’ll be responsible for the execution of stewardship and donor recognition logistics and procedures.

In this role, you’ll maintain and update donor records in Raiser’s Edge including relationships, transactions, gifts, and acknowledgements. With the goal of building affinity and enhancing donor cultivation, you’ll produce weekly major gift reports, staff giving reports, edit and mail donor thank you letters, you’ll produce monthly reports to celebrate donor birthdays, milestones, and highlight special occasions, and assist with annual donor recognition events.

To increase donor retention, engagement, and enhance our stewardship efforts, you’ll utilize online platforms like ThankView and collaborate with various units within IA to assist with the process and preparation for distributing gifts, messaging and/or correspondence. With creativity and innovation, you’ll assemble gift bags, token gifts, cards and other large mailings in alignment with donor stewardship initiatives and best practices.

You’ll record and update the inventory of IA’s Stewardship closet and replenish inventory items gifts and materials as needed. You’ll request quotes from vendors, submit specs to branding and trademark for approval, and submit purchase request with all backup documentation to our Business Services unit to ensure inventory is readily available. In addition to ensuring material quality and consistency, you’ll track inventory gaps and waste.

With laser-focused attention to detail, you’ll work closely with UTEP’s catering, facilities, communications, and parking and transportation department, as well as external vendors to ensure all details are accurate and complete for successful events. You’ll also oversee accurate tracking of budgets and reconcile all monthly expenses.

What you’ll need to be successful

Associate’s degree

Two years of related experience and training to the statement of duties and responsibilities; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

It’d be nice if you have:

Experience with Raiser's Edge and PeopleSoft

Knowledge of working with third-party vendors.

Proficiency in all Microsoft Office software and ability to learn and use departmental information systems.

An unending commitment to positively contributing to our team culture; we all commit to making UTEP IA a great place to work

Tenacious optimism and growth-mindset; the ability to remain flexible and develop creative solutions in pursuit of always maintaining forward momentum.

Capacity to multitask and continually balance competing priorities within a dynamic environment

Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a small team with limited resources, supporting the success of all colleagues and prioritizing UTEP’s overall goals above personal achievement

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its Access and Excellence mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.