SUMMARY: The Director of Stewardship designs, develops, and leads a comprehensive stewardship program that acknowledges, sustains, and nurtures meaningful relationships with donors at Queens University of Charlotte.

As a collaborative leader, the Director manages and executes all stewardship functions as an integrated part of University Advancement. Working proactively across a diverse network of campus partners and other key stakeholders, the Director instills trust that donors’ gifts and investments are impacting the University and broader community in a meaningful way. 

The Director is responsible for the leadership, strategy, and delivery of stewardship programs, individualized stewardship plans (in conjunction with the major gift officers), and events designed to convey donor recognition and appreciation. Serving as a key thought-partner and architect of stewardship experiences, the Director will build a program of excellence, foster a culture of gratitude, and develop highly personalized stewardship strategies. Efforts will extend to donors at all levels, including major and principal donors. The Director of Stewardship reports to the Director of Advancement Operations and is a key leader in the development of innovative and technologically- enhanced approaches to communicating, building relationships, and stewarding university donors.

This position is exempt from provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is not eligible to earn overtime pay or compensatory time off for additional hours worked. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a comprehensive stewardship program for the university, resulting in high donor retention, ongoing donor engagement, and further investment in Queens.
• Oversees/executes the gift acknowledgement and pledge reminder processes, including acknowledgements from the Vice President of University Advancement and the President of Queens.
• Oversees/executes all donor engagement activities for the University.
• Creates and delivers annual reports to all donors of annual and endowed funds.
• Manages the coordination and execution of donor events including receptions, luncheons, dinners, and dedication ceremonies.
• Oversees policies and procedures related to gifts-in-kind, gift minimums, and naming opportunities.
• Corresponds with and stewards foundations, providing all necessary reports, impact statements, and annual filings in a timely manner.

Non-Essential Duties

• Other duties and special projects may be assigned to meet department and University needs.

Experience, Knowledge & Skills Required

• A minimum of 5 years of demonstrable leadership experience with increasing responsibility in stewardship/donor relations; experience at an academic or other nonprofit institution is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop rapport and communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals and constituencies within a diverse community.
• Superior organizational and time management skills. Proficiency in priority setting and follow-up and follow-through skills required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; must be able to write compelling acknowledgment letters, create a comprehensive, annual Impact Report, and demonstrate acute attention to detail when communicating financial information to donors.
• Proficient in database platforms, Word, Excel, Internet/Email, with proven ability to learn and apply new systems.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively.
• Able to adapt to a varied schedule; evening and weekends possible for special events.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Application Process
Does this sound like a good fit? Click on the green “I’m interested” button and submit:
1.    A cover letter addressing the position qualifications and experience
2.    Current résumé or CV
3.    Salary requirements
4.    Contact information for three professional references

Applications received by May 30, 2023, will receive first consideration. Queens will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

About Queens University of Charlotte

Located in the heart of the nation’s second-fastest-growing metropolitan area, Queens University of Charlotte leverages the city’s diverse and thriving environment as an extended classroom. Nationally recognized for undergraduate programs in international and interdisciplinary education, Queens blends the best of liberal arts learning with professional preparation and community engagement. Focused on supporting success for diverse learners, faculty build close and collaborative relationships with students and help them build intentional and individualized roadmaps for flourishing at Queens and beyond. At the graduate program level, the University offers innovative educational experiences that help learners advance professionally and retool for new opportunities. Our environs afford faculty myriad opportunities to advance their own professional growth and teaching and research interests by collaborating with vibrant industry, non-profit, and community organization sectors.

Because of our history of innovation and our legacy of strong leadership, Queens is positioned to be among the new forerunners of American higher education. This is a defining moment for Queens. While other institutions are focused on sustaining and surviving, we are thinking much bigger.

Institutions that understand what is needed and are willing to reimagine what is possible can position themselves to thrive and strengthen their market position after the pandemic with innovative approaches that are deeply connected to the world and its greatest challenges.

By 2030, Queens aspires to become the leading, private, national university of Charlotte with deep, meaningful, and reciprocal connections to the needs of our local community and economy; inventive and multidisciplinary academic programs that are connected to the world’s most pressing challenges and biggest areas of opportunity; a fully connected, integrated, and innovative set of experiences that support holistic wellness and wellbeing; a culture of continuous improvement and investment that enables faculty and staff to flourish and achieve their full potential; and a comprehensive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion that begins on campus and radiates throughout the community.

Benefits

Queens offers comprehensive benefits to eligible employees, including: medical, dental and vision insurance, domestic partner benefits, defined contribution (matching) and supplemental 403(b) retirement plans, vacation and generous paid holidays, tuition remission and tuition exchange, Queens-paid life insurance, supplemental life insurance, dependent life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent care, Health Savings Account), sick leave and long-term disability leave, paid parental leave, FMLA leave when eligible, reduced cost meals at Morrison Dining Hall, employee assistance program (EAP), free access to the Levine Center, wellness programs. In addition, employees may choose benefits such as pet insurance, critical care insurance and legal assistance.

Queens University of Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to supporting and celebrating all forms of diversity. Queens does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin, disability, political beliefs, veteran status, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, employment and hiring policies, or other University-administered programs.

Any individual with a disability who needs any reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to apply for a position or otherwise to participate in Queens' job search/selection process should contact the Director of Human Resources at 704.337.2222.

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation) require ability to

• Remain in a stationary position, most of the time.
• Exchange accurate information with co-workers and clients, frequently.
• Read reports, create presentations, use a computer system, most of the time. 
• Communicate with co‐workers, clients and vendors, most of the time. 
• Write, type, and use the computer, telephone, copier, and other office equipment systems, most of the time. 
• Move about inside the workspace to access resources and office equipment, and attend meetings across campus, regularly. 
• Exert moderate force to move objects, occasionally. 
• Think critically, concentrate on the task at hand, and respond quickly to changes in conditions, most of the time.

Work Conditions 

• Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule to meet requirements of the position, including occasional nights or weekend work. 
• Must be able to work in office environment while having contact with faculty, staff, parents, students, donors, service providers and vendors on any given day. 
• Work has deadlines, multiple interruptions, high volume and can be stressful. 

Nothing in this job description restricts the university’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects the university’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned; this job description is subject to change at any time.