Syracuse University - Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Company Information

Syracuse University
United States
Syracuse, NY

Contact Information

Anthony Fano
anfano@syr.edu
3154431204

Job Details

Job title: Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Date posted: June 11, 2025
Posting expires: August 31, 2025

Job #

041949

Job Title

Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Department

Advancement and External Affairs

Location

Syracuse, NY

Pay Range

$65,000 - $70,000

Pay Determination

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.


Staff Level

S5

FLSA Status

Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)
Hours may vary based on operational needs.


Job Type

Full-time

Campus

Syracuse, NY

Unionized Position Code

Not Applicable

Job Description

The Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship serves as a strategic leader and storyteller within the University Advancement Marketing and Communications team. Charged with advancing a culture of gratitude and philanthropic impact, this role designs and implements comprehensive stewardship communications, donor recognition strategies, and data-driven engagement initiatives that strengthen donor relationships across all levels of giving.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Donor Relations, the role is responsible for overseeing annual donor reporting focused on endowment and scholarship impact, providing support for the management of donor recognition programs, and ensuring effective systems for tracking and evaluating stewardship efforts. This role partners closely with colleagues in Financial Aid, Advancement Services and the Treasurer’s Office to ensure a coordinated, personalized, and mission-driven approach to donor engagement.


Education and Experience

Required:
• Bachelor’s degree
• Five (5) plus years of experience in donor relations, advancement communications, or related field.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience
• A valid driver’s license is required.
Preferred:
• Experience working in higher education advancement or a complex nonprofit environment.
• Graphic design or visual storytelling skills a plus.
• Understanding and experience with Blackbaud CRM, Academic Works Award Management, and Fundriver or equivalents


Skills and Knowledge

• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex data into compelling narratives.
• Demonstrated understanding of the donor cycle, fundraising and stewardship best practices and industry trends.
• Strong project management and organizational abilities, with a keen eye for detail and quality.
• Experience supporting donor recognition societies and giving programs.
• Excellent interpersonal skill and ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.


Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of annual endowment and scholarship reports, ensuring high-quality, donor-centered content that illustrates the impact of giving.
• Collaborate with campus partners to collect, synthesize, and present student and programmatic stories that bring donor impact to life.
• Produce tailored impact reports and strategic stewardship pieces that inspire continued donor support.
• Partner with development teams to support the strategy, implementation and ongoing engagement of donor recognition societies.
• Develop content and communications for society members that reinforce their impact, build affinity and encourage continued participation.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of events, touchpoints, and recognition activities that strengthen connections within giving societies.
• Develop and maintain systems for tracking donor engagement and stewardship activities across the division.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services to produce stewardship dashboards and reporting tools that guide decision-making and measure effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate records of donor preferences, fulfillment of requirements, and recognition commitments.
• Utilize Citrus for recording all donor interactions, recording of correspondence and donor activity.
• Serve as a thought partner to Advancement colleagues, offering creative and strategic input on donor journeys and engagement strategies.
• Contribute to a positive, innovative, and collaborative team culture, mentoring staff and encouraging cross-functional alignment.
• Direct, train and supervise an assistant director level position fostering their professional growth through regular coaching, performance evaluation, and alignment with strategic engagement initiatives.
• Represent the Donor Relations team in meetings, working groups, and special projects as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Application link: https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/109721

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