Associate Director, Donor Experience

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for an Associate Director, Donor Experience based in the United States.** We are seeking a relationship-driven Associate Director, Donor Experience to strengthen philanthropic engagement and build lasting relationships with donors supporting healthcare, education, and research initiatives. In this role, you will manage a portfolio of mid-level donors contributing between $1,000 and $4,999 annually, focusing on retention, renewals, and increased giving. You will play a key role in identifying emerging philanthropic opportunities and developing relationships that support the transition from annual giving to major and planned gifts. Working closely with fundraising, marketing, and donor relations teams, you will create personalized engagement strategies and compelling communications that demonstrate the impact of charitable contributions. You will also help develop a centralized collection of donor impact stories and leverage CRM technology to enhance outreach and stewardship. This opportunity is ideal for a collaborative, organized, and curious fundraising professional who wants to combine relationship management, data-driven strategy, and meaningful mission-focused work. ### Accountabilities - **Donor Relationship Management:** Manage and cultivate a portfolio of donors contributing $1,000–$4,999 annually, implementing strategies to strengthen relationships, improve retention, secure renewals, encourage increased giving, and identify prospects for major and planned gifts. - **Personalized Donor Engagement:** Develop and execute tailored stewardship and outreach plans through phone calls, emails, handwritten correspondence, events, and donor recognition initiatives that build trust and demonstrate philanthropic impact. - **Prospect Identification and Pipeline Development:** Collaborate with annual giving teams, major gift officers, and other stakeholders to identify, qualify, and advance prospective donors through the fundraising pipeline. - **Fundraising Campaigns and Communications:** Coordinate direct mail and email solicitation campaigns, develop compelling donor communications, and connect donor interests with organizational priorities through meaningful impact stories. - **Donor Story Development:** Maintain and expand the donor Story Bank by identifying, organizing, and sharing stories that highlight programs, funding priorities, research, healthcare initiatives, and the outcomes made possible through philanthropy. - **CRM and Workflow Management:** Use Affinaquest or comparable donor relationship management systems to maintain accurate records, manage engagement activities, automate communications, segment donor audiences, and support personalized outreach. - **Performance Monitoring and Reporting:** Track donor retention, giving upgrades, referrals, outreach activities, and campaign performance to evaluate fundraising effectiveness, identify trends, and recommend improvements. - **Cross-Functional Collaboration:** Partner with development, annual giving, donor relations, marketing, and academic or departmental teams to coordinate engagement initiatives and maintain consistent donor communications. - **Compliance and Confidentiality:** Protect sensitive donor information and follow applicable privacy requirements, including HIPAA and FERPA where relevant, along with established fundraising policies and professional standards. - **Technology and Innovation:** Explore emerging technologies, AI-assisted tools, and digital engagement strategies to improve fundraising workflows, strengthen donor relationships, and enhance the overall donor experience. - **Additional Responsibilities:** Contribute to broader fundraising and development initiatives and perform other duties as assigned. ## Requirements - **Education:** Bachelor's degree required. A master's degree in communications, public relations, business, philanthropy, marketing, or a related field is preferred. - **Relevant Experience:** At least 3 years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, alumni relations, annual giving, or a related field, including direct donor contact and relationship or portfolio management. Candidates with 5 or more years of progressive fundraising experience, particularly in mid-level or major gift management, are preferred. - **Fundraising Expertise:** Demonstrated understanding of donor cultivation, stewardship, retention, renewal strategies, prospect qualification, and fundraising pipeline development. Experience with direct gift solicitations or renewal requests is an advantage. - **Sector Knowledge:** Experience in healthcare, academic medical centers, higher education, or nonprofit organizations is preferred. Familiarity with mid-level giving programs, grateful patient fundraising, or affinity-based engagement strategies is beneficial. - **CRM and Database Skills:** Experience using CRM systems or fundraising databases is required. Familiarity with Affinaquest or equivalent platforms is preferred, along with the ability to learn new technologies quickly. - **Marketing Automation:** Experience creating or managing automated donor communications, CRM workflows, email journeys, audience segmentation, or marketing automation platforms is an advantage. - **Communication and Storytelling:** Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop persuasive donor communications, communicate philanthropic impact, and adapt messaging to different audiences. - **Organizational Skills:** Strong planning, prioritization, and time-management abilities, with the discipline to manage multiple donor relationships, outreach activities, and competing deadlines. - **Analytical and Technical Aptitude:** Comfort using donor data and engagement metrics to evaluate performance, identify opportunities, and improve fundraising strategies. Interest in technology-enabled process improvement is highly valued. - **Relationship-Building and Collaboration:** Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with donors, colleagues, leadership, and cross-functional partners while maintaining professionalism and confidentiality. - **Professional Credentials:** A Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential, progress toward certification, or active participation in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) or another professional fundraising organization is preferred. - **Additional Requirement:** A valid driver's license is required. ## Benefits - **Competitive Compensation:** Salary commensurate with education, qualifications, and professional experience. - **Healthcare Coverage:** Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees and qualifying family members. - **Retirement Benefits:** Retirement plan with employer matching contributions of up to 10%, subject to applicable plan terms. - **Paid Leave:** Holiday, vacation, and sick leave. - **Education Benefits:** Educational discounts for eligible employees and their dependents pursuing undergraduate studies. - **Professional Development:** Access to career training, educational opportunities, and continued professional growth. - **Insurance Protection:** Basic life insurance coverage of up to $50,000 for eligible employees. - **Additional Perks:** Merchant discounts and convenient prescription delivery services through the main campus pharmacy. - **Remote Work Flexibility:** Remote work is an option for this position, subject to the role's arrangements and organizational policies. - **Purpose-Driven Environment:** The opportunity to support healthcare, research, education, and philanthropic initiatives that contribute to better patient care and improved community well-being. - **Collaborative Culture:** Work alongside professionals committed to teamwork, inclusion, innovation, and meaningful impact.