Based in Urbana-Champaign, IL with hybrid opportunities.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement (OVCIA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a full-time stewardship and donor relations professional. This role is essential for the success of a centralized stewardship operation supporting campus-wide initiatives.

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a global, preeminent university. Since its founding in 1867, it has earned a reputation as a world-class leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. In 2022, the University successfully completed its most ambitious philanthropic campaign, “With Illinois”, raising $2.7 billion during the eight-year campaign and remains resolute towards its future philanthropic efforts. Developing a robust stewardship and donor relations operation to support the growth and success of the university-wide advancement community is critical towards fulfilling the University’s Boldly Illinois strategic plan and future fundraising campaign goals.

Organization Relationship

The Assistant Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations reports to the Senior Associate Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations and works collaboratively with advancement colleagues across campus.

Job Summary

Will develop and implement strategies to more effectively fundraise, steward, and administer private gifts as well as enhance engagement initiatives, campaign priorities, and advancement practices.

Duties & Responsibilities

Donor Stewardship

1. Develop and administer fundraising and stewardship projects, as appropriate and assigned, and provide regular assessments of effectiveness.
2. Initiate and manage the process to create gift funds and university accounting spending funds on behalf of units to ensure appropriate set up and use of donor gifts, and initiate fund transfers when required.
3. Work independently with senior administrators and advancement colleagues in colleges and units to both provide process improvement recommendations and to research problematic funds, including preparation of alternate use proposals to present to the Stewardship Committee of the University of Illinois Foundation.
4. Review all draft gift governing documents and provide feedback to advancement colleagues in an effort to ensure responsible stewarding of gift funds and donor intent.
5. Monitor financial activity of gift funds via advancement systems to ensure proper spending of funds.
6. Manage a portfolio of central campus funds. This will include direct donor interaction both on existing gifts and the cultivation of new giving opportunities.
7. Collaborate with advancement professionals across campus and represent OVCIA at campus and system-wide stewardship and donor relations meetings.

Donor Engagement & Strategy

1. Develop and implement university and unit strategies to more effectively fundraise, steward, and administer private gifts and to engage donors in a way that may lead to additional gifts in the future. Specifically, serve as a liaison to certain university units to provide stewardship and donor relations services as appropriate.
2. Collaborate with the Strategic Engagement team to set and implement annual strategies for donor engagement and communication to enhance fundraising initiatives, campaign priorities, and advancement practices.

Advancement Operations

1. Pull reports when necessary to inform decision making with regards to revenue, fund accumulations, etc.
2. Respond to constituent inquiries, including from alumni and donors, and document those conversations as well as any requests or follow-up that result from them within the donor database.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor's Degree
2. More than three (3) years of professional experience in marketing, public relations, communications, business administration, stewardship/donor relations, or a closely related field

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Strong attention to detail, organization and time management
2. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and the ability to manage tight deadlines and multiple projects
3. Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
4. Basic knowledge of higher education administration, and specifically, stewardship and donor relations practices
5. Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information
6. Familiarity with large databases
7. Ability to understand and adhere to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Donor Bill of Rights which is endorsed by the Office of Institutional Advancement
8. A commitment to the values of Advancement at Illinois

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close date.

Salary

Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. The salary range for this position starts at $65,000.

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on September 5, 2024. Please submit a resume, cover letter, and the names, addresses, phone numbers of three professional references. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. For further information about this specific position, please contact Zsayla Brummett at zbrummet@illinois and/or visit our Application FAQs site for helpful resources. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

Please note: Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

The Illinois Advancement community is committed to an ongoing, proactive process to foster and achieve diversity and inclusion in its development, alumni relations and communication activities. We will respect and encourage different voices, perspectives and ideas as we strive to represent individuals of all backgrounds and cultures which incudes but are not limited to the following: nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, spirituality, age and ability who represent our alumni, donors and friends of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.