Job Type: Full time
Job Number: R-01622
Location: Providence
Job Summary
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks an Associate Director, Donor Relations (Recognition) to join Institutional Advancement (AI).
The Associate Director of Donor Relations (Recognition) is responsible for leading the development, planning and execution of the stewardship of donor recognition societies and current use funds at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) as well as high level stewardship of RISD Museum donors and programs. This role adheres to industry best practices and incorporates creativity to partner with gift officers and colleagues to develop and execute ongoing donor and mission-centric stewardship and recognition strategies for RISD's most generous donors.
We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.
Essential Functions:
Executes a comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program with a primary focus on donor recognition and giving programs and volunteers. Works collaboratively with Institutional Advancement colleagues, campus partners, museum curators and colleagues and external vendors to build strong relationships and gain feedback to inform program design, enhancements or modifications.
Strategizes, researches, writes and designs narrative stewardship reports and other customized pieces for college and museum restricted funds, which includes identifying and creatively explaining how funds are used.
Leads strategy, development and execution of robust recognition programs for annual leadership donors (1877 Society), planned giving donors (Metcalf Society), consecutive giving donors (Centennial Society), all museum donors, including those who make gifts of art and other donor recognition societies as determined by senior management. Implements and manages day-to-day fulfillment of routine stewardship programs for multiple donor levels including welcome packages, specialized donor communications, event communication and follow-up efforts.
Oversees the donor acknowledgement process for both the college and museum in collaboration with Advancement Services to ensure the delivery of timely and customized letters; identifies and recommends options to further automate and streamline custom letters; seeks feedback from gift officers to support the personalization of all acknowledgement letters signed by the President, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Museum Director and Senior Executive Director of Museum Advancement. Partners with Advancement Communications to routinely refresh acknowledgement templates.
Partners with the Directors of Special Events and Advancement Communications to execute donor recognition events and special donor communications. Explores and evaluates additional stewardship and cultivation events for appropriateness at RISD as needed. Educates gift officers about additional engagement and stewardship opportunities.
Partners with the Director of Donor Relations to manage volunteers in key roles within the team such as academic advisory councils, recognition society chairs and campaign and sesquicentennial committees.
Recommends and coordinates donor touchpoint activities for a broad spectrum of the college's and museum's donors and prospects to promote meaningful involvement and engagement with the institution, including the development of bespoke campus visits for top donors and prospects.
Manages named space on campus and public donor and volunteer name displays. This includes cataloging existing named space and overseeing processes for new named spaces, including coordinating the ordering and placement of donor recognition plaques.
Maintains an accurate comprehensive filing and tracking system to ensure that all activity is recorded in the internal donor database (Raiser's Edge). Analyzes captured data to provide success and measurements on stewardship programs.
Leads the coordination of all donor and volunteer recognition listings; ensures donors are recognized accurately and appropriately.
Evaluates stewardship processes for leadership donors and develops best practices for donor stewardship and recognition. Explores and utilizes new technology methods, such as videos or web-based platforms, to engage and inform donors. Develops ideas for customized presentations, recognition for named spaces and other key gifts, and other creative touches.
Additional Functions:
Staffs and supports key RISD campus events, including but not limited to RISD Weekend, Founders Day and Commencement + Reunion Weekend.
May occasionally hire, supervise and acclimate work study students and interns to assist in department activities.
Performs other related assignments as requested.
Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience
Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of related experience in fundraising, donor relations, communications, or a related field.
Well-honed writing, editing, research and analytical skills required. Knowledge of, and interest in staying current in, the principles and techniques relevant to donor-centric major gift fundraising.
Must possess strong interpersonal skills, high EQ, and superb first-in-class customer service and communications skills.
Demonstrated expertise in the use of Microsoft Office, Adobe, CRM/database, and Google Apps (G Suite) and Asana, or similar project management collaboration tools.
Proven success in the planning, organizing and executing projects with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
Superlative diplomatic and communication skills, including an ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of constituents (individual donors, alumni, business leaders, public figures, college leadership, faculty and staff), within a broad range of cultural environments.
Ability to build and manage relationships with a variety of constituents across all levels of institution.
Ability to anticipate unexpected issues and needs and to react quickly, calmly and confidently so as to instill trust and confidence.
Ability to work and communicate effectively with a broad spectrum of divisional and institutional colleagues, within an environment that values diversity as defined by, race, color, religion, age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.
Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities and deadlines. Capability to work independently and collaboratively with moderate supervision.
Preferred Qualifications:
Union:
No
Work Schedule:
35 hours per week; 12 months per year
Employment Status:
Full-time; Exempt; Regular
Grade:
545EX
Work Modality
On-campus; Hybrid Eligible
Documents Needed to Apply:
Resume (Required)
Cover Letter (Required)
Salary Grade Structure
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.
The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.
RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
For internal use only - Job Family:
Development - Fundraising
