Executive Director of Donor Relations Stewardship

JOB TITLE: Executive Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship REPORTS TO: Vice President of Principal Gifts and Campaign Initiatives FTE: Full-Time LOCATION: Burlington, Vermont JOB-TYPE/HOURS: Full-Time; subject to the Foundation’s hybrid work expectations (3 days in-office, 2 days remote work from home) and occasional evening or weekend events.

EXPECTED SALARY RANGE: $115,000 - $135,000, plus the UVM Foundation’s benefits package, which includes a comprehensive health plan; dental, vision, and life insurance; paid time off; a 403(b) plan with immediate vesting and contributions; and tuition remission. EFFECTIVE DATE: December 1, 2026 or a negotiated date agreed upon by both parties.

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship leads the UVM Foundation’s comprehensive, donor-centered program to acknowledge philanthropic support, demonstrate its impact, and strengthen enduring relationships with the University of Vermont. The Executive Director establishes program strategy, service standards, and measurable outcomes for donor acknowledgment, recognition, engagement, and impact reporting, with particular emphasis on individualized stewardship for principal and major gift donors.

The Executive Director leads and develops a team responsible for donor fund administration, donor relations, stewardship, and development events. In partnership with Foundation and University colleagues, the Executive Director establishes processes to monitor fulfillment of donor intent, gift agreement provisions, and institutional commitments; identifies and implements stewardship opportunities; and ensures that donors receive accurate, timely, and personally meaningful communications about the impact of their giving.

This work will be especially important as the Foundation prepares for its next comprehensive campaign. This position reports to the Vice President of Principal Gifts and Campaign Initiatives.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(35%) Strategic Leadership, Team Development, and Operational Management Develop and implement a comprehensive, multiyear donor relations and stewardship strategy aligned with Foundation and University priorities, campaign objectives, and donor needs. Review existing programs and practices, identify activities that should be improved or discontinued, and develop new approaches that make the stewardship operation more effective.

Provide direct supervision of the Director of Donor Fund Administration, Associate Director of Major Gift Stewardship, Associate Director of Donor Relations, and Associate Director of Development Events. Establish annual business plans, budgets, service standards, and performance measures; assess results and adjust priorities to improve program quality, effectiveness, and sustainability.

Serve as team leader for planning and development of campaign-related initiatives that pertain to donor relations and stewardship. Work with Foundation and University colleagues on specialized donor recognition, acknowledgment, and naming opportunities. Build and sustain productive relationships with Foundation colleagues, academic and administrative leaders, faculty, staff, and other University partners to support coordinated delivery of stewardship commitments.

(30%) Principal and Major Gift Donor Relations and Stewardship Oversee the development, documentation, implementation, and evaluation of individualized stewardship plans for principal and major gift donors, working closely with gift officers and University leadership. Ensure that stewardship planning begins during gift discussions and continues throughout the donor relationship, with appropriate attention to donor interests and institutional commitments.

Coordinate specialized stewardship reporting with the Director of Donor Fund Administration that complements annual impact reporting materials. Collaborate with Foundation colleagues to identify creative, specialized stewardship activities that deepen donor relationships and contribute to the success of principal and major gift fundraising.

Work with gift officers to identify opportunities for continued engagement and future philanthropic support, including donors who are no longer actively managed. (20%) Donor Fund Administration and Institutional Commitments Provide oversight and direction for the donor fund administration function, including processes for tracking donor intent, gift agreement provisions, restrictions, and other institutional commitments.

Work with the Director of Donor Fund Administration, Foundation finance and advancement services, and University partners to ensure that records are accurate and reporting obligations are understood and met. Establish clear processes for monitoring deadlines, identifying potential concerns, and bringing issues to the appropriate Foundation and University leaders for resolution.

Support the planning and fulfillment of complex stewardship commitments, including those associated with significant gifts, naming arrangements, and campaign priorities. (10%) Development and Stewardship Event Management Work with the Principal Gifts, Major Gifts, and Prospect Development teams to plan strategic donor engagement opportunities, including campus visits, dedications, and events in locations around the country.

Events should have clear goals and contribute to the Foundation’s fundraising efforts. Oversee the planning and delivery of events for which the Foundation’s development events team has responsibility, including investitures, groundbreakings, dedications, gift announcements, and other donor experiences involving University leaders, volunteers, faculty, staff, and students.

Review the effectiveness of the events program and recommend changes in priorities and use of resources as appropriate. (5%) High-Impact Donor Communications Guide the development of donor-centered communications that accurately and compellingly demonstrate the impact of philanthropy on the University’s mission, people, and priorities for placement on the Foundation website, other platforms, and in printed publications.

Develop or review personalized correspondence, leadership messages, event remarks, and other stewardship communications as needed. Oversee the team’s preparation of annual impact reports, including content development and specialized communications for principal and major gift donors. Specific standards of performance will be established as part of an annual performance plan.

REQUIRED SKILLS

& ABILITIES Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including the ability to manage and sustain long-term relationships with diverse constituents. Ability to speak publicly and present oneself professionally both in person and virtually. Demonstrated success leading, supervising, coaching, and developing professional teams.

Collaborative and team-oriented style, with a track record of working effectively with others toward common goals. Exceptional writing, editing, and editorial judgment, with the ability to produce original, compelling donor communications and use emerging technologies responsibly and effectively. Ability to develop strategy, set priorities, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines with close attention to detail.

Working knowledge of donor stewardship, donor fund administration, donor intent, and the importance of meeting institutional commitments. Ability to work effectively with senior University and Foundation leaders, major gift donors, and other important constituents. Capacity to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality of constituent information and interactions.

Commitment to learning, ethical conduct, and the principles of inclusive excellence. Ability to travel locally and regionally and work occasional evenings and weekends. A valid driver’s license is required. Functional understanding of, and ability to use, technology to complete job functions.

PREFERRED SKILLS

& ABILITIES Demonstrated experience developing individualized stewardship strategies for principal and major gift donors. Proven ability to develop stewardship programs that support continued donor engagement and philanthropic investment. Experience leading programs or teams through organizational change or process improvement.

A commitment to the mission and purpose of higher education, and the ability to communicate that commitment effectively. Awareness and understanding of the structural opportunities and nuances of a Foundation-University model. MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree and at least 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in donor relations, stewardship, advancement, fundraising, or a related area, including significant management experience; preferably in higher education, a nonprofit organization, or an academic setting; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.