Position Overview

The Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship will lead the strategy and execution of Butler’s institution-wide comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program. Reporting to the Executive Director of Advancement Operations, the Director will lead efforts to deepen relationships with the university's most generous supporters, ensuring their continued engagement and investment in our mission and strategic priorities.

The role of Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship is charged with the following three responsibilities:

1. Responsible for overall stewardship and engagement strategy for fund reporting, giving societies, high priority donors, and acknowledgment processes.
2. Oversee two (2) Assistant Directors of Donor Relations and Stewardship. Setting expectations and direction for the team.
3. Build and maintain relationships with Advancement staff and campus partners to integrate donor stewardship into strategies, campus events, solicitations, and underscore the importance of gift policies.

Responsibilities

• Top Donor Retention Rate:
  • Measure the percentage of top donors who continue to contribute to the university's fundraising efforts over time. A high retention rate indicates effective stewardship and ongoing donor satisfaction.
• Top Donor Participation Rate:
  • Track the percentage of top donors who actively engage with the university through events, meetings, and other opportunities. Increased participation demonstrates strong donor engagement and commitment to the university's mission.
• Top Donor Gift Frequency:
  • Monitor the frequency of gifts from top donors, including the number of repeat gifts and the consistency of giving patterns. A steady or increasing gift frequency indicates sustained donor engagement and satisfaction.
• Stewardship Touchpoints:
  • Track the number and type of stewardship touchpoints with top donors, including personal meetings, phone calls, emails, letters, and event invitations. Aim to maintain regular and meaningful communication to strengthen donor relationships.
• Develop and execute tailored stewardship plans for top donors, including personalized acknowledgment strategies, regular communication, and exclusive engagement opportunities.
• Cultivate meaningful relationships with top donors through strategic outreach, including face-to-face meetings, phone calls, personalized correspondence, and invitations to special events.
• Implement innovative fund reporting strategy for endowed, current-use, and annual funds, including conversion to digital format. Ensure annual production and delivery of fund reports to donors, including management of process to collect student beneficiary letters of gratitude.
• Lead Butler’s premier giving society stewardship plans, including the Carillon Society, President’s Club and Fairview Heritage Society.
• Oversee process to recognize first-time donors, consecutive year donors, matching gift and in honor/in memory gifts.
• Manage Art Committee and in-kind gift documentation process with donors and internal partners.

Primary point of contact for convening the Gift Policy Committee for review of cases when necessary. Record all final decisions and supplemental documentation for precedent

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Five to seven years of professional experience in higher education or the non-profit sector.
• An understanding of higher education and/or non-profit fundraising, donor relations, and stewardship required.
• Demonstrated management experience. Ability to oversee several positions, set expectations, and build trust as a team.
• Strong interpersonal and written communications skills with demonstrated attention to detail and ability to coordinate people and handle multiple deadline-driven projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional customer- donor service.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills required.
• Tact, discretion, and prudence in working with confidential and sensitive data.
• Computer software skills, including Microsoft Office, and knowledge of integrated client database systems is preferred.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Advanced degree or certification preferred
• Demonstrated foundation in project management, fundraising and event planning.

BU Benefits and Perks

Please check out Butler’s Total Rewards website to learn more about our benefit offerings, which include:

• Paid Time Off and Holidays:
  • 28 days of paid time off (vacation and PTO days)
  • 8 Paid Holidays
  • Paid Winter Break between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
  • Paid Parental Leave (after 1 year of full-time employment)
• Health:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans including disability and life insurance programs
• Retirement:
  • 10% employer contribution after 1 year of full-time employment
• Tuition Assistance:
  • Remission of tuition for classes taken at Butler for employees, spouses, and dependent children.
    • Eligibility after 9 months of full-time employment
    • Employees & spouses- undergraduate/graduate degrees
    • Dependents (under age 26)- undergraduate degree
    • Covers tuition only
  • Tuition Exchange Program for Dependents
• Butler Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks:
  • Access to Butler’s on-site fitness facility and libraries for full-time staff and faculty
  • LinkedIn Learning Courses
  • Free premium subscription to the Calm App
  • Free subscription to the WSJ and NYT
  • Discount at the College Bookstore
  • Discount on select Athletic and Arts/Events Center Performances

About Butler

Butler University is a private, nationally recognized comprehensive university encompassing six colleges: Arts, Business, Communication, Education, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Pharmacy & Health Sciences. Approximately 4,500 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and doctoral students are enrolled at Butler, representing 46 states and 24 countries.

Join us at the crossroads of tradition & transformation. A career at Butler University means so much more than a job. Join the dedicated, innovative, and supportive community of faculty and staff that is moving Butler Beyond.

Butler University is an equal-opportunity employer.  We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees.  We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sex, race, religion, color, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other legally protected category.