Director of Donor Recognition Programs

The Director of Donor Recognition Programs will develop, manage and execute comprehensive recognition programs designed to enhance and strengthen the university’s relationships with donors, prospects, volunteers and affinity groups. The Director is responsible for establishing consistent protocols to recognize, celebrate and communicate the importance and impact of gifts to LSU.

Baton Rouge, LA

LSU Foundation

<p>The LSU Foundation is the primary fundraising entity for academics at LSU.&nbsp;The LSU Foundation's sole purpose to provide philanthropic support to LSU, which we accomplish through the work of a campus-wide team of frontline development officers and a support team of advancement services, communications and marketing, donor relations, financial and talent management personnel. &nbsp;</p> http://www.lsufoundation.org/jobs

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Director

Overview: Reporting to the Senior Director of Donor Relations, the Director of Donor Recognition Programs will develop, manage and execute comprehensive recognition programs designed to enhance and strengthen the university&rsquo;s relationships with donors, prospects, volunteers and affinity groups. The Director is responsible for establishing consistent protocols to recognize, celebrate and communicate the importance and impact of gifts to LSU. Using a variety of tactics such as events, publicity, giving societies, physical donor recognition pieces and other tools, the Director will focus on building strategies to retain and upgrade donors to LSU. &nbsp;The Director will serve as a subject-matter expert and resource for all LSU affiliates, colleges, units; and campuses belonging to the LSU system to ensure the University&rsquo;s most generous donors and volunteers are actively and intentionally connected to their giving, and by extension, the University and community at large.
Responsibilities: <ul> <li><strong>Donor recognition and appreciation strategy:</strong>&nbsp;Responsible for the strategic development, management and coordination of the University&rsquo;s comprehensive donor recognition efforts. Analyze donor behavior to drive broad-based communications, events and other event recognition tactics that deepen donor relationships and display appreciation to donors at all levels. Establish a matrix that outlines recognition tactics for gifts of all levels, following industry standards and best practices. Establish and maintain a comprehensive annual calendar of donor touches and collaborate with campus partners to ensure that stakeholders are well informed of upcoming activities. Based on current trends, develop comprehensive pre- and post-campaign stewardship plan for university-wide donors. Maintains training resources for internal staff and communicates society activities to the larger frontline fundraising team as needed. Compiles metrics to measure society related activities, providing analysis to assess program effectiveness.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Develop and manage giving societies:&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;In collaboration with key stakeholders, develop strategies for new and existing giving societies that promote interaction with and recognition of donors at all levels. Implement specific strategies to welcome donors and increase retention, upgrades, and acquisition. In conjunction with the annual giving, planned giving, corporate giving and principal giving development leads, assist with the branding of materials and giving societies that strategically target key levels of giving. Lead the program development, roll-out and execution of all societies in partnership with the central recognition team and unit donor relations colleagues. Manages communications for giving society members, including welcome packets, quarterly newsletters, impact reports and surveys. Tracks members and evaluates giving society effectiveness.</li> <li><strong>Strategize and orchestrate donor recognition events:</strong>&nbsp;Leads the execution of university-wide cultivation and donor recognition events including those associated with giving societies, corporate giving, scholarships, faculty investitures, dedications and gift announcements as well as other recognition events and celebrations. Participate in the planning of periodic campaign events and other major events to announce and celebrate capital projects. Ensures proper procedures and timelines for lists, mailings, project plans, presidential and leadership briefings and all other event related plans and deadlines as well as post-event follow-up, archiving and metrics.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Oversee publicity and physical recognition:</strong>&nbsp;Working with the communications and marketing team, college/unit fundraising colleagues and leadership, advise on and facilitate the publicity of major gifts and the recognition of donors in both print and Web-based publications. The candidate will support a variety of campaign initiatives such as campaign honor rolls, donor profiles and campaign milestone reports. Drive policies related to naming facilities, spaces, programs, etc. and maintains inventory of named areas on campus as well as existing gift opportunities. Serve as the project manager for designing, developing, installing, tracking and maintaining all signage, donor displays, plaques, donor walls and other data and physical assets across campus. Develop unique and appropriate gifts and recognition items for donors and facilitate purchasing and inventory management of giveaways.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Supervise Recognition Team:&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;Mentor and manage engagement team members, identifying areas of growth and professional development needed for each member to excel. Participate in regular face-to-face meetings, set and review annual goals and objectives, identify areas of growth, including but not limited to formal professional development activities. Works closely with other Donor Relations team leads to ensure effective and streamlined processes across functions. Ensures that donor recognition activities and other initiatives are planned and executed efficiently and in compliance with university, foundation and federal regulations. Coordinates efforts with other areas of development to ensure a comprehensive donor recognition program and consistent donor experience. Research and resolve internal and external questions as they relate to donor programs. Support efforts of donor relations colleagues as needed during peak periods. &nbsp;</li> </ul>
Requirements: <div data-bind="html: Job.Requirements"> <ul> <li>Bachelor&rsquo;s degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in a development, nonprofit or university setting, with an emphasis in donor relations, stewardship or fundraising.&nbsp;</li> <li>Extensive project management experience and demonstrated analytical, strategic-thinking, adaptability, communication and relationship-building skills are essential.</li> <li>Working knowledge of databases such as Raiser&rsquo;s Edge, Advance or similar and expert proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, with an emphasis on Excel and PowerPoint.</li> <li>Must be extraordinarily organized, demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, be able to work effectively in a team and juggle multiple and varied tasks simultaneously.</li> <li>Display a diplomatic and professional demeanor as well as the ability to work well independently and as a member of a group or committee.</li> <li>Experience developing presentations, reports and training programs. &nbsp;</li> <li>Leadership, flexibility, efficiency, and the ability to prioritize tasks and meets deadlines for a wide variety of assignments.&nbsp;</li> <li>Proven leader with at least two years of direct supervisory experience required.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Preferred Knowledge &amp; Skill Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Master&rsquo;s degree and/or Certified Fund-raising Executive (CFRE) is desirable.&nbsp;</li> <li>Demonstrated experience with building and sustaining recognition programs is preferred.</li> <li>Experience working on large and complex fundraising projects especially major, multi-year capital campaigns, with specific experience in donor stewardship.&nbsp;</li> <li>Exceptional written and oral communication skills and experience writing and producing fundraising and development communications.</li> <li>Ideal candidate will have regularly participated in professional associations such as the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, Association of Donor Relations Professionals, Association of Advancement Services Professional or Association of Fundraising Professionals.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Supervisory Responsibilities</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;Manages one staff member with the expectation of growing the donor recognition team.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Work Environment Requirements</strong></p> <ul> <li>May be required to work extended workdays, evenings or weekends at various times throughout the year to accommodate donor relations events or projects.&nbsp;</li> <li>Occasional travel, both local and overnight is required for donor cultivation and stewardship events, as well as professional development conferences.&nbsp;</li> </ul> </div>