Assistant Director of Donor Engagement

Position Title

Assistant Director of Donor Engagement

Overview

St. John Fisher University is an independent, liberal arts institution that provides a transformative education to approximately 3,800 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students each year. Across its five Schools, Fisher offers nearly 40 majors in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, business, education, and nursing; 11 pre-professional programs; and master’s and doctoral programs in business, nursing, education, pharmacy, and public health. The University’s residential campus boasts a robust living and learning community and a successful intercollegiate athletics program. Fisher is a community where all are welcome, regardless of religious or cultural background.


The University continues to honor its founders, the Congregation of St. Basil, by embracing their motto, “Teach Me Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge.” We are located in Pittsford, N.Y., seven miles outside of the city of Rochester. The campus is situated on 164 park-like acres—a beautiful setting for a warm, friendly campus community.

Job Responsibilities

The Assistant Director of Donor Engagement at St. John Fisher University is responsible for coordinating and executing a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program. This role focuses on ensuring that donors, regardless of their giving levels, have high-quality interactions with the university to foster long-term engagement and investment.

Job Responsibilities:

• Applying industry best practices to assist in the coordination and execution of a University-wide donor relations and stewardship program for donors at all levels of giving to ensure donors experience high quality interactions with St. John Fisher University that foster long-term engagement and investment.
• Recognize and steward key donors through a variety of methods, including but not limited to: donor recognition events and ceremonies, annual reporting, special stewardship pieces, physical recognition, internal and external awards and recognition, Spire Society recognition and more.
• Serve as facilitator of scholarship recipient participation and attendance at the annual scholarship celebration. Create content and author scholarship reports to maximize student-donor relationships.
• Collaborate with internal partners to prepare and distribute annual reports to donors and internal audiences to demonstrate the impact of their gifts. Partner with offices from around campus to ensure that gifts are used appropriately, and to ensure the accurate and timely collection of key data for reporting purposes. Reports include but are not limited to: thank you notes to donors of named scholarships; annual stewardship reports to donors of named endowments and select non-endowed funds; annual endowment impact report, annual Spire Society impact report.
• Oversee the review and approval process for gift agreements drafted by gift officers and other colleagues. Develop and maintain a robust knowledge of legal, compliance and University policy issues pertaining to gift language and acceptance in order to provide accurate and up-to-date guidance.
• In collaboration with advancement colleagues, coordinate effective stewardship communications, including but not limited to: gift receipts and acknowledgements, memorial and tribute acknowledgements, first time donor program, donor thank you videos, new year greetings, donor reports, donor signage, online donor recognition, and more.
• Collaborate on the development of physical donor recognition pieces.
• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to develop an intimate knowledge of top donors, VIP event attendees, high-profile alumni in the community and other regions to inform recognition and engagement strategies.
• Participate in and take leadership in events sponsored by the Office of Institutional Advancement.
• Serve as an integral part of the Alumni & Constituent Engagement Team through event planning and production to ensure quality donor experiences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 2-5 years experience in stewardship, donor relations, development, alumni relations, advancement communications, or related field.
• Ability to coordinate and implement initiatives that deepen the level of understanding of and commitment to St. John Fisher University utilizing strong project management and event planning experience
• Ability to work independently.

Competencies / Skills

• Strong interpersonal skills – ability to work well with others and a welcoming demeanor. Strong listening and interpretive skills. Ability to work effectively with donors, alumni, faculty, administrators, and students
• Skills in the research, development, and evaluation of policies and programs, including ability to collect, evaluate, and interpret data to develop sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations
• Ability to anticipate problems and address them proactively
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interpret, organize, and present information and ideas in written or presentation form
• Diplomacy and discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential information
• Demonstrated enthusiasm to learn and incorporate best practices in donor relations and new technologies
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion as a University priority
• Demonstrated strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Access
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• CRM experience preferred

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods (e.g., sitting at a desk, working on a computer).
• In support of events and donor engagement activities, the employee must be able to occasionally lift, carry, and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds. This may include transporting event supplies, setting up and breaking down event spaces, and moving boxes or equipment.
• Ability to navigate office environment, including walking short distances and bending or reaching as needed.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, by phone, and via email.

Supervision of Employees

Not Applicable

Work Environment

Well lighted, well ventilated, pleasant work area.

Equipment to be Used

Computer with MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access)

CRM (data warehouse for all functional areas across campus)

Routine Office Equipment: Fax, Printer, Copier, Telephone, Calculator

Job Type

Full-time

Work Hours

35 hours weekly, M-F 8:30-4:30PM with night and weekend events as needed.

Special Conditions for Eligibility

Minimum Number of References Requested

3

EEO Statement

It is the policy of St. John Fisher University to provide Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with the applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in each locality in which the University has employees.


The University does not discriminate against applicants or employees in hiring, promotion, termination or the terms and conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, the status of being transgender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital status, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic, characteristics or genetic information, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other characteristic protected by law.


The Title IX Coordinator is the designated University official with primary responsibility for coordinating compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws. The Title IX Coordinator, Meg Flaherty, Ph.D., can be reached by phone (585-385-8232), email ( [email protected] [email protected]>), in-person in Campus Center 209, or outside of business hours by contacting the Office of Safety and Security (585-385-8111).

Work Location

3690 East Ave., Rochester, NY 14618

FLSA

Exempt

Salary / Hourly Range

$62,500.00 - $63,000.00 per year

Notes

The salary range for this role is set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to internal equity, qualifications, experience, and education. The above hiring range is one component of the University’s competitive Total Rewards package which can be viewed here

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

S00797P

Desired Start Date

06/01/2026

Open Date

Open Until Filled

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicant