Director, Donor Experience - Division of University Advancement

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives through academic excellence, innovative research, strong community partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia. We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders, lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more than 100 countries across the globe. Our universitys vibrant culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. We are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University in our vision. Come Take Flight at KSU!

Location

(Primary Location for Job Responsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000 Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Job Summary

Leads the development and execution of a comprehensive donor stewardship and engagement strategy designed to strengthen donor relationships, enhance the donor experience, and support philanthropic growth. Oversees donor recognition, acknowledgment, engagement activities, events, impact reporting, and ongoing stewardship initiatives across the donor lifecycle. Working in close partnership with fundraising staff, campus stakeholders, and donor compliance teams, develops tiered stewardship programs, advises on donor recognition opportunities, and ensures strategic relationship plans are in place for key donors. Manages donor impact reporting and scholarship donor engagement initiatives and collaborates with development officers to implement meaningful stewardship experiences that promote donor retention, cultivation, and future giving. Fosters a culture of donor-centered engagement that advances the mission and fundraising goals of Kennesaw State University through strong leadership, relationship management, and communication

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develops and implements comprehensive donor engagement and stewardship strategies tailored to individual donors, colleges, and university priorities, ensuring alignment with development objectives and established procedures

2. Identifies, engages, and stewards major donors across the university in partnership with the Development team

3. Collaborates closely with senior leadership, including the CEO and AVP, to create meaningful engagement opportunities for top donors and prospects

4. Designs and manages innovative stewardship programs and initiatives that recognize, thank, and engage donors, while documenting and tracking stewardship activities within the CRM system (Raisers Edge)

5. Strengthens connections between donors and the university by leveraging campus-wide engagement opportunities and partnering with donor compliance to deliver meaningful impact reporting

6. Leads the planning and execution of donor-focused events, including scholarship events, naming celebrations, donor recognition activities, student engagement opportunities, and donor hospitality programs

7. Oversees donor stewardship communications, including acknowledgments, newsletters, reports, and special correspondence, while partnering with Development Communications and Strategic Communications to ensure alignment with university branding and communication standards

8. Develops creative and strategic donor recognition and engagement opportunities that enhance donor satisfaction, strengthen relationships, and support the growth of the universitys philanthropic community

9. Maintains expertise in donor engagement, stewardship, and philanthropic best practices by monitoring industry trends, emerging practices, and innovative approaches

10. Serves as a strategic partner to the fundraising team by promoting a culture of donor-centered stewardship, providing guidance and consultation to Development Directors on donor engagement, recognition, and relationship management strategies

11. Supervises stewardship and donor events staff, providing leadership, direction, performance management, and professional development to ensure effective program delivery and achievement of departmental goals and an environment that supports cultivation

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Bachelors degree from an accredited institution of higher education in post-secondary education, business, or a related field

Other Required Qualifications

Current, valid, and unrestricted drivers license

Required Experience

Five (5) years of related experience in advancement, development, or other related fundraising roles

Preferred Qualifications

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Enthusiasm for fundraising in a comprehensive university and the desire to work collegially within a goal-oriented fundraising organization

Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards

Membership in the Association of Donor Relations Professionals or other similar organizations

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education

Preferred Experience

Prior experience in a higher education or nonprofit donor engagement office

Expertise in developing stewardship strategies

Comprehensive campaign experience

Experience leading others

Proposed Salary

The salary range is up to $$96,000. Offers are based on relevant experience. Comprehensive benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options and much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Strong initiative and a quick learner with the ability to think strategically and analytically and the organizational skills to move from vision to action

Able to manage a significant volume of diverse tasks, activities, and projects, including both tactical and strategic projects, while meeting assigned deadlines.

KNOWLEDGE

Working knowledge of and commitment to compliance with the Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP) and all Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) regulations

Knowledgeable about donor databases and contact management/tracking systems

Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with the position (i.e., Microsoft Office suite, donor databases, etc.)

SKILLS

Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, project management, and presentation skills

Strong attention to detail, follow-up skills, and project management skills

Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

Positive attitude, creative, and innovative thinking

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Other Information

This is a supervisory position.

This position does not have any financial responsibilities.

This position will be required to drive.

This role is considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time

Background Check

• Credit Report
• Standard Enhanced
• Education
• MVR

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy, all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for positions of trust with screening results which confirm a disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified from employment eligibility

All applicants are required to include professional references as part of their application process. Some positions may require additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report, credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf