University of Michigan

Assistant Director, Stewardship & Communications

Intercollegiate Athletics

Working Title

: 

Assistant Director, Stewardship & Communications

Posting Number

: 

61571

Job Category

: 

Stewardship

Experience Range

: 

2 to 5 Years

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

To apply for this position, please submit your cover letter and resume as one document on the University of Michigan Careers at the U site.

If you are unable to apply via the U-M Jobs site, please submit your cover letter and resume to dev.careers@umich.edu. In the subject line, please type in the Job ID# for which you are applying.

For questions about the U-M application process, please refer to the FAQ page

Position Description

The Assistant Director of Donor Stewardship and Communications is responsible for assisting with the design, implementation and coordination of an innovative, creative and comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that appropriately and consistently promotes interaction with and recognition of athletic donors at all levels.

In addition, the position must partner with the athletic development team to determine the best strategies for effective stewardship of donors; maintain ongoing and active networking with internal and external constituencies; and assist with the facilitation of recognition events.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

- Manage and evaluate the information tracking processes for gift receipting, gift acknowledgment, donor recognition, stewardship reporting and on-going communications.
- Monitor cultivation of past and current major donors to enhance their relationship with the athletic department and increase the likelihood of continued contributions.
- Working in partnership with the events team, designs, documents, and implements an innovative, systematic and integrated donor relations program that encompasses donor recognition events, endowed programs, and building naming dedications.
- Prepare, write, proofread, and edit donor acknowledgement and correspondence for athletic department senior leadership.
- In conjunction with the Associate Director, responsible for devising and using consistent, accurate, and appropriate information-sharing mechanisms for stewarding prospects and donors.
- Proactively supports the stewardship responsibilities of the development staff by assisting them in establishing and coordinating individualized stewardship plans for the department's top donors.
- Facilitates on- and off-campus publicity of major gifts and donors with, Athletic Department Communications, University Development and University Communications. Advises on and facilitates the recognition of donors in both print and Web-based publications.
- Assists with the design, development and production of donor and gift information for the Annual Role.
- Maintain and coordinate a proposal template/library for major gift officers to ensure timely stewardship.
- In conjunction with the Associate Director, responsible for creating and implementing an athletic department "speakers bureau" program that organizes and supports all speaking request for the athletic director and coaches in a thoughtful and systematic way.
- Responsible for coordinating all autograph requests, that comes into the athletic department in a thoughtful and systematic way.
- Adhere to the budget for the Stewardship and Communications team.
- Contributes as a member of a high functioning team through accountability, efficiency, enthusiasm and leadership.
- Participating in Athletic Development events as appropriate including, but not limited to, home and away football games activities, on and off-campus donor events and other athletic activities as needed.
- Adhere to policies and procedures across the department that is essential for a comprehensive donor relations program.
- Performing other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

- A bachelor's degree is required with a minimum of three to five years experience, preferably in development, sports administration, marketing, communication or higher education.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills with ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate and programs that support the Athletic Department mission and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of the fundraising program.
- Knowledge and ability to execute and/or support a comprehensive donor acknowledgement and recognition plan, including working in partnership with the Donor Events team on complex and carefully orchestrated cultivation events and programs for the department wide donors.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills are essential. Must have prior writing and editing experience.
- The incumbent must be able to generate creative solutions for stewarding donors through innovative and impactful communication strategies.
- Works in a positive, collaborative, and effective manner with all leaders, team members, and customers of the department.
- Must exhibit a high level of energy, enthusiasm, initiative and passion for providing outstanding customer service to Michigan Athletic patrons. Strong commitment to the student-athlete experience.
- Must possess and maintain the highest integrity and ethical standards.
- Experience with social networking tools (such as Facebook, Twitter, InCircle, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc.). Ability to develop and implement applications within the applications.

Additional Information

Salary commensurate with experience.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please submit a writing sample to be included with your resume and cover letter.

Mission Statement

The Office of University Development maximizes private support for the University of Michigan through high-quality collaboration with the development programs of schools, colleges, and units. We also provide fundraising leadership through the stimulation and facilitation of healthy, productive and life-long relationships with our colleagues, alumni, friends, foundations and corporations.

U-M EEO/AA Statement: The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.