SENIOR DONOR ENGAGEMENT OFFICER, Development & Alumni Relations, Donor Relations

at  Boston University

OUR MISSION

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.
Now, our Stewardship and Donor Relations team is looking for a Senior Donor Engagement Officer who will increase systematic enhanced stewardship for principal gift prospects and donors by proactively supporting gift officers in the creation of annual and multi-year individualized stewardship plans.

• Work closely with Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) leadership and gift officers on the development and implementation of creative annual and multi-year individualized stewardship plans for 20 to 30 principal gift donors/prospects. Work with SDR leadership to create plan templates and collaborate with Advancement Information Strategies and DAR IT colleagues around data use and CRM tracking. Play an active role ensuring the plan touchpoints are carried out by both the development and stewardship teams as assigned. Monitor, evaluate, and demonstrate success of the program with data, metrics, and stories.
• Develop reports to facilitate stewardship plan conversations and to improve identification of meaningful donor/prospect engagement opportunities. This includes but is not limited to fund anniversary reports, donor milestone birthday reports, and to identify donors approaching William Fairfield Warren Society level.
• Design, write, and produce donor acknowledgement and communication pieces as needed, including but not limited to, condolence letters from senior staff, tribute reports, post event gifts, and photobooks. Assist with named building related administration, maintenance, and stewardship. Other responsibilities to support the Donor Engagement & Recognition efforts, as assigned.
• Identify, manage, and generate engagement opportunities and new initiatives to enhance donor experience as need. Collaborate with DAR gift officers to plan individual donor meetings with fund recipients, coordinate video interviews with fund recipients, and coordinate with Development Communications (DevCom) colleagues around donor placement in publications.
  Required Skills

A cover letter is required for consideration.

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5 to 8 years, including a minimum of three years of experience in development, stewardship, donor relations, advancement communications, preferably in a complex institution of higher education.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, with a proven track record in developing and implementing strategic solutions.
• Exemplary communications skills and the ability to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of persons at all levels of management within and external to a university environment.
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to interact with senior level administrators, donors/prospects, and colleagues with an understanding of protocol and confidentiality.
• Superb judgment and the sensibility to adjudicate wisely among competing priorities.
• Strong project management skills and follow through necessary to develop plans and timelines, monitor priorities, and progress against goals.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and perform multiple duties with minimal supervision, with a high degree of accuracy, keen attention to detail, and follow-through under tight deadlines.
• Capacity to work in a fast-paced environment involving high-level stakeholders; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• Extraordinary attention to detail and high level of discretion. Must be highly organized and able to manage confidential information.
• Exhibit a curiosity for streamlining processes using technology to improve outcomes and accuracy.
• Strong working knowledge of donor databases/CRM.
• Highly proficient in relevant software, eCRM’s, operations and procedures, including University wide systems and applications (SAP).