Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Job Summary:

The assistant director of donor relations partners with development staff to acknowledge and recognize donors which may include tracking, assigning, and dispatching correspondence that support efforts to raise funds and to cultivate long-term loyalty and commitment of donors.

In collaboration with the associate director of Donor Relations, the assistant director manages the administrative components of annual stewardship reporting to donors on over 1,200 funds. This work includes gathering materials, preparing reports for sending, and overseeing the distribution and record keeping of all documents. Successful candidates can proficiently manipulate and analyze large datasets, think critically and creatively, and adeptly identify and resolve issues. This position also interacts with internal and external staff throughout the University to ensure fund set-up and spending adheres to donor intent.

Please note: Able to have a hybrid work arrangement, up to two days remote and three onsite.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Administers & maintains existing strategic plans.
• Recommends changes & improvements to maximize & ensure most effective & efficient use of revenue streams.

Collaboration

• Involves moderate level of collaboration with internal department partners and low level of collaboration with University partners in implementing and expanding existing relationships to accomplish strategic goals.
• Please bullet examples of key partnerships and work involved below: Gift Acceptance and Fund Management, Reporting & Analytics, Schools & Programs, Major Gifts, and Marketing/Communications.
• Prospects & Gifts
• Manages 1 or more portions of the donor relations process providing stewardship to individuals or groups of donors.
• Works with development staff to implement donor strategies that will maximize dollars raised & participation of donors.
• Assists with the creation of donor centric event materials, including programs and other collateral materials.

Administration

• Completes standard, routine stewardship correspondence as needed including items such as template acknowledgment letters, holiday cards, plaques and signage, and gift selection.
• Monitors the establishment of new funds and communicates those stewardship requirements to internal ARD partners
• Tracks the progress of stewardship materials from creation to dissemination, including content gathering, proofing/editing, reviewing, sending, and archiving.

Supervisory

• Supervises or leads part-time, temporary, and/or work/study employee.

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years development, nonprofit operations, analytics, or the equivalent experience is required.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Organization, detail oriented, able to take verbal/oral instruction, ability to write and edit, experience with design and print production.

Preferred Qualifications:

• History of maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
• Experience using Tableau, Mythos, and Salesforce

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and complete them under tight deadlines
• Experience analyzing and manipulating large datasets in Excel
• Critical thinking and creative thinking skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Self-Starter
• Policy interpretation and application
• Proficient using Microsoft Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint8.

Target hiring range for this position will be between $60,000-$65,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.