Assistant Director, Stewardship

The Office of Stewardship celebrates the generosity of donors to Vanderbilt through recognition, appreciation, and communication to inspire trust and nurture relationships that encourage future philanthropy.

The Assistant Director of Stewardship will contribute to the activities of the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) Stewardship team to support the objectives of the Office of Stewardship, DAR, and Vanderbilt University. The Assistant Director will provide support to all functions of the team which requires the ability to prioritize multiple projects according to deadlines and the ability to exercise independent judgment.

About the Work Unit :

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage and maintain university-wide information on donors and endowed and non-endowed funds for annual reporting.
• Assist with the management of annual and daily stewardship projects and activities including impact reporting for scholarships, chairs, and other endowed funds, financial reporting for endowed funds, planned giving stewardship, and other ad hoc or newly established stewardship projects.
• Support daily stewardship activities like acknowledgment proofing and gift agreement reviewing.
• Serve as stewardship liaison for the internal and external donor, fund, and stewardship reporting-related questions.
• Coordinate stewardship protocols for best practices for database maintenance, and new project management processes.
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Director of Stewardship and colleagues to ensure project deadlines are met and executed with accuracy, quality, and integrity. Duties will include, but are not limited to:
  • Actively maintain and update information and databases to ensure accurate and ongoing records for key constituencies and donor populations.
  • Partner with reporting project managers to assist with activities such as proofing and editing, a compilation of mailings, and data entry.
  • Research to ensure that donor intent is being realized and records are complete.
  • Assist with occasional stewardship activities and events for major donors, scholarship donors, and endowed chair holders.
  • Support ad hoc stewardship requests, research and compile endowed fund information for special projects or requests from DAR colleagues, including department leadership.
• Uphold departmental and institutional policies regarding confidential information with particular care in handling sensitive donor and student information.
• Provide ad hoc project support for strategic initiatives within DAR.
• Work cooperatively with Development and Alumni Relations colleagues and maintain strong and effective working relationships with other University offices.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Periodic evening and weekend work may be required.

Supervisory Relationships :

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director of Stewardship.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary.

Qualifications :

• 4 years of work experience is required.
• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in developing and implementing donor-centered stewardship initiatives.
• A detailed working knowledge of Vanderbilt University is preferred.
• Superior organizational skills, verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to articulate the needs, interests, and accomplishments of Vanderbilt University to important constituencies are required.
• The ability to assemble data is important.
  • Proficient knowledge of database query languages and tools (e.g. Microsoft Access) preferred.
  • Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Excel (e.g. formulas, functions, and pivot tables) preferred.
• Candidate must also have the capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment.
• The ability to apply sound judgment skills in all situations, especially related to management, donor relationship building, and budget, is required.
• The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, professional team player with courteous interpersonal skills and an excellent customer service attitude
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities are essential

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, that all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.