Director of Donor Relations and Events

University of Central Arkansas

AR

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$46,000–$56,500 Per Year
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Background Investigation, Best Practices, Communication Skills, Consensus Building Skills, Donor Program, Donor Relations, Establish Priorities, Genetics, Higher Education, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Military, Multitasking, Organizational Skills, Physical Demands, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Scholarship, Stewardship, Strategic Planning, Team Building, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Training/Teaching, University/School Regulations, Writing Skills
LOCATION
AR
POSTED
16 days ago

Posting Details

Title Information

Full-Time/Part-Time Full Time Salary Range $46,000 - $56,500 Will this position be Onsite, Remote, or Hybrid? Onsite

Position Details

Position Information

Posting Number NC0672026 Working Title Director of Donor Relations and Events Department Org 200100 - Office - Institutional Adv Why should you work at UCA?

We are excited that you are considering joining the UCA Family-the faculty, staff, students and alumni-who make the University of Central Arkansas a great place to work!

At the University of Central Arkansas, we value our employees striving to maintain a work-life balance. We realize that this affects the overall well-being of employees while learning to prioritize challenging work and the ability to make a difference. Participation in university-wide flexible work schedules may be available for certain positions. Training is provided on systems or job-specific software, and tools are available supporting professional and personal development. The benefits package allows you to customize your benefits to meet your current needs, with the ability to adjust them as your priorities change. This includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, 80% tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a retirement program with university contributions of 10% of employee salary. Also available are health and wellness incentives, as well as access to sports and cultural activities on campus for the family, free gym membership and equipment rentals.

Position Summary

The Director of Donor Relations and Events will provide leadership, vision, and strategic planning for donor stewardship initiatives by sustaining a comprehensive donor recognition program to strengthen existing donor commitment to the university and forge new relationships to build visibility, impact, and financial resources. This position will plan and execute strategic stewardship and cultivation initiatives and events, donor outreach and communications, donor recognition, acknowledgments, and stewardship plan reports. This individual will serve as the liaison with senior leadership on donor gifts and the development of stewardship plans for top donors.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain a high-quality stewardship process for UCA donors

  • Demonstrate the value of the UCA-donor relationship at every step in the gifting process, especially after a gift is made

  • Maintain knowledge of trends in stewardship and donor relations and educate colleagues regarding best practices

  • Develop, implement, and lead a successful, integrated donor relations program that strategically targets all levels of giving, as defined by the Development team

  • Work closely with Advancement Services to ensure donor records and data are available for reporting

  • Plan and execute Advancement donor events

  • Develop, manage and distribute endowment and impact reports to donors

  • Create innovative programs and projects to thank and steward donors

  • Implement best practices in donor acknowledgment letters and tax receipts

  • Use donor-behavior data to enhance relationships and increase the likelihood of continued contributions

  • Work closely with Development staff to report on gift use, communicate gift impact, and celebrate contributions

  • Manage giving societies and develop programming aimed at building stronger, deeper relationships with our donors

  • Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • The ability to create, execute, and oversee a comprehensive, campus-wide donor acknowledgment and recognition plan

  • Proven ability to plan and executive high-level events

  • Proven skills and ability to manage multi-phase projects from inception to completion, including the ability to build consensus among team members and balance multiple concurrent priorities

  • Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community

Skills Considered Essential for Success

  • Knowledge of the organization and administration of higher education.
  • Knowledge of state, federal, and university rules, regulations and procedures.
  • Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and independently with common goals as a part of a team.
  • Ability to make sound judgments.
  • Effective interpersonal communication, writing, and organizational abilities.
  • Civility in all interactions.
  • Demonstrate effective follow-up.

Required Education and/or Experience

  • Detail oriented

  • Good follow-through

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

  • Professionalism, judgment, and discretion when handling confidential information

  • Minimum of five years of work experience, preferably with experience in donor relations

  • Superior organizational skills

  • Ability to work collaboratively or independently without supervision

  • High level of computer literacy and ability to learn new software quickly

  • Strong technology proficiency with a proactive approach to adopting and integrating new software solutions that improve workflow efficiency, communication, organization, and overall effectiveness

  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret donor data, recognize engagement and giving trends, and implement data-informed stewardship strategies that enhance donor retention and philanthropic growth

Preferred Education and/or Experience

  • Bachelor's degree

  • Professional work experience in donor relations

  • Experience planning and executing high level events

  • Experience using a CRM

University, Campus, and Community Description

Thank you for your interest in employment at the University of Central Arkansas.

Founded in 1907, UCA has an enrollment of more than 10,000 students and employs over 1,300 full-time employees. The university offers more than 85 undergraduate and 59 graduate certificate and degree programs, including doctoral programs in five disciplines. UCA is proud of its tradition of teaching excellence and its contributions in research, scholarship, and creative activities.

Desired start date 07/01/2026

Position Summary and Qualifications

License(s)/Certifications Physical Demands Checklist Sitting Physical Exertion Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds, Primarily indoor work

Posting Detail Information

Background Check Statement

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal, sex-offender registry, financial history background check and drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

UCA EEO Statement

The University of Central Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. In keeping with its nondiscrimination policy in employment, admissions and other functions and programs, the university considers employees and students on the basis of individual merit and will not discriminate against a person on the basis of gender, race or color, ethnicity, religion, spiritual beliefs, national origin, age, familial status, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, disability, political beliefs, intellectual perspective, genetic information, military status, or other factors irrelevant to participation in its programs.

Open Date 06/05/2026 Close Date 06/12/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicants

Posting Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

  • Veteran's Documents
  • Writing Sample
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • Other Document
  • Portfolio / Supplemental Materials
  • License or Certification
  • Other Transcripts
  • Additional Documents
  • Class Schedule

About the Company

U

University of Central Arkansas