The Stewardship operation functions within Development and Alumni Relations at Vanderbilt University. The team is responsible for major gift acknowledgments; gift agreements and understanding donor intent; impact reporting; financial reporting; planned giving stewardship; custom reporting; and personalized stewardship activities. The Assistant Director of Stewardship, reporting to the Senior Director of Stewardship, is responsible for managing and coordinating the donor acknowledgment process for gifts under $100K.

Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. DAR is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs

Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the donor acknowledgment process for gifts under $100K to university initiatives.

• Provide guidance and coordinate closely with DAR Annual Giving and development team members responsible for school and unit gift acknowledgments.

• Collaborate with Vanderbilt’s Direct Response team to ensure gifts within specific thresholds are thoughtfully acknowledged.

• Manage Vanderbilt’s central donor acknowledgment resources, tracking levels, processes, and signatories used by all schools and units, providing resources in best practices, and ensuring this key stewardship activity is timely and consistent for all donors.

• Facilitate additive, personalized cover letters and pieces in scholarship announcement letters, impact reporting, and financial reporting to donors.

• Coordinate scholarship donor connections with student recipients resulting from scholarship impact reporting.

• Collaborate with development team members to execute personalized mailing to constituents following their scholarship announcement letters offering donor/recipient connection opportunities.

• Assist with annual stewardship reporting of endowed and non-endowed funds, including impact and financial reporting, scholarship stewardship, and other newly established stewardship projects.

• Partner with reporting project managers to oversee the personalization and prioritization of stewardship reporting for select donor populations.

• Partner with reporting project managers to assist with activities such as proofing and editing, compilation of mailings and data entry.

• Assist with specialized strategic communication pieces for high touch prospects and new or emerging initiatives. Identify and recommend creative opportunities to steward donors to ensure high quality and consistent donor relations.

• Review and proof outgoing materials.

• Assist with special projects and customized stewardship reports.

• Work in close collaboration with DAR colleagues.

• Handle other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships: This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director of Stewardship.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is required..

• Two years of related experience required.

• Five years of relevant work experience, or the equivalent, is preferred.

• Superior verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in the handling of confidential information

• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system

• Knowledge of development software programs

• Highly motivated, professional team player with courteous interpersonal skills and an excellent customer service approach

• Capacity to perform in an intellectually rigorous and complex academic environment

• Sound judgment and excellent organizational skills with a meticulous attention to detail

• Ability to work independently, take initiative, manage multiple projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities

• Value the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

#LI-HYBRID

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.