Associate Director, Principal Gifts and Donor Experience

FSU Division of University Advancement

Florida State University is currently in the leadership phase of a comprehensive campaign. As the leadership phase of the campaign begins, the Division of University Advancement is accelerating the hiring of additional donor relations professionals’ campus-wide and is excited to build out its team. For Advancement professionals who are interested in being a part of a comprehensive campaign from the beginning for their career development, the timing is ideal to join our team.

The Associate Director, Principal Gifts and Donor Experience is responsible for developing, maintaining and executing donor relations activities that complement our fundraisers’ external, face-to-face work for major and principal donors. Efforts will primarily focus on donors with $1 million+ lifetime giving. Working closely with the Donor Relations team, University Advancement leadership and other key leaders and staff across the university, this individual will be a strategic partner responsible for designing and implementing stewardship, recognition and engagement strategies, including high-touch donor experiences ranging from premium athletic hospitality to customized engagement opportunities. Additionally, they will create individualized communications to support this work and ensure donor engagement and satisfaction.

Stewardship, Recognition and Engagement

• Create and implement new principal donor standards, practices and procedures aimed at stewarding, celebrating, thanking and engaging donors in unique and customized ways.
• Regularly collaborate with the Principal Gifts team and other leaders across Florida State University to develop and manage personalized donor relations plans for major and principal donors. This includes creating tailored impact reports and identifying and implementing distinctive and creative ways to recognize and engage these donors.
• Oversee complex stewardship and recognition projects that often include multiple deliverables.
• Develop efficient and effective systems to monitor and manage individual donor plans proactively.
• Assist with the collection of data, written reports and other materials as needed to steward gifts.
• Work with the donor relations team to oversee and assist with other key recognition programs.
• Identify ways to create tiered approaches for principal donors within existing and new programs and projects.

Donor Communication

• Develop and deliver tailored communications for high-priority and principal donors, which may also include other donor segments as assigned. This encompasses personalized impact reports, acknowledgment letters, correspondence, touchpoints, invitations and other necessary communication.
• Work closely with the Division of University Advancement Communications team on projects as needed, including donor stories, publicity, one-off recognition pieces and reports.

Donor Experience and Hospitality

• Mange the planning and execution of high-touch donor experiences, including athletic suite hospitality, special events, donor visits, gift celebrations and other customized engagement opportunities, ensuring premium hospitality, meaningful engagement, unique experiences and stewardship of high-level donors.
• Manage the selection, procurement and distribution of unique donor gifts, ensuring high-quality, personalized items that align with the donor engagement strategies.
• Organize and execute timely, meaningful follow-up after donor experiences and engagements, ensuring continued engagement with the principal gifts team and development officers.
• This position requires availability for some evenings and weekends to support donor experiences and events, including athletic hospitality. Some travel may be required for off-campus donor experiences or professional conferences.

Administrative Tasks

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of donor interactions, preferences, stewardship plans, engagement plans and other information in the constituent management system. Utilize data to inform and enhance donor strategies.
• Document new departmental processes and procedures and update existing ones to ensure consistency and efficiency.

Bachelor's degree and four years of experience; or a high school diploma or equivalent and eight years of experience. (Note: post-high school education may substitute for experience at the equivalent rate.)

A valid Florida or Georgia Driver's License or the ability to obtain.

A preferred candidate will have 5+ years of previous experience in donor relations, annual giving or development activities in a nonprofit organization and have developed the skills needed to work with high-level donors and University Advancement leadership. Experience planning and executing high-level donor experiences, events or hospitality is preferred. Demonstrated ability to thrive in dynamic environments, effectively adapting to changing priorities with a flexible and proactive approach. This candidate will also have a strong attention to detail and excel at building and managing processes.

Who is the ideal candidate for this position?

You understand and enjoy the creative and data sides of advancement work and appreciate how important each is in donor relations. You have demonstrated project management skills, excellent interpersonal skills, exceptional verbal and written communication skills and a robust knowledge of donor relations. You have a proven record of successfully working with or managing high-level or principal donors and/or their stewardship plans. You enjoy creating thoughtful donor experiences and understand how hospitality, personalization and attention to detail can make an engagement meaningful. You are a strategic thinker looking to use your creativity and resourcefulness to make a difference.

One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news!

Learn more about Florida State University and our campuses. 

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If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply through the FSU Careers site (jobs.fsu.edu). If you are a current FSU employee, apply through myFSU Self Service.

Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.

This is an A&P position.

This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.

This position is being advertised as open until filled.

FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.