Donor Associate – Donor Relations

Salary:                     Commensurate with experience
Benefits:                  The University offers generous benefits including paid time off (holidays, holy days and vacation), employer matching contributions to the retirement plan, and tuition benefits for employees and their eligible dependents. Learn more and explore benefits atwww.duq.edu/benefits
Location:                  Donor Relations
Position Status:        Full-time                                             
Hours:                      8:30AM-4:30PM
Position Number:     435501/10-1193            
FLSA Status:            Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Donor Associate develops and executes comprehensive stewardship and engagement strategies that strengthen relationships with Duquesne University’s donors. Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, this position manages donor engagement initiatives, stewardship communications, scholarship reporting processes, presidential engagement experiences, donor loyalty programs, and donor data projects that enhance the overall donor experience and support long-term philanthropic relationships

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages and executes strategic donor engagement experiences, including presidential events, major donor gatherings, recognition opportunities, and stewardship initiatives. Partner with Advancement colleagues to coordinate invitation strategies, donor communications, event logistics, briefing materials, attendee tracking, post-event follow-up, and engagement outcomes. Ensure experiences reflect the University’s highest standards of donor appreciation and relationship building.

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made by Duquesne University at its discretion to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Leads coordination of the President’s Athletics Stewardship Program, including donor and prospect guest management, communications, ticket coordination, experience planning, and collaboration with gift officers to maximize engagement opportunities. Ensure seamless VIP experiences that support cultivation, stewardship, and philanthropic goals

Oversees the strategy, execution, and ongoing growth of the University’s donor loyalty program, including donor segmentation, recognition tiers, stewardship experiences, communications, and engagement opportunities.

Collaborate with Annual Giving, Major Giving, Advancement Communications, and Advancement Services to create meaningful donor experiences that recognize lifetime commitment, strengthen donor retention, and build a pipeline for increased philanthropic support. Evaluate program effectiveness through engagement metrics, donor behavior, and industry best practices to continuously enhance the donor experience.

Manages scholarship reporting, student gratitude initiatives, and connect donors with the impact of their philanthropy.

Develops strategies to increase student participation, enhance donor communications, and strengthen connections between scholarship recipients and benefactors.

Supports donor relations technology, data integrity, and process improvement initiatives through management of donor records, stewardship tracking, reporting systems, and fund documentation. 

Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and donor experience through Advancement systems and best practices.

Provide operational support for the Office of Donor Relations, ensuring professional communication, effective workflow management, and excellent service to donors and campus partners.

Performs other duties as assigned by the DDR.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

Associate’s degree from an accredited educational institution.

Preferred qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution.

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Understanding of donor relations, stewardship, and fundraising best practices.

Ability to develop and execute donor engagement strategies.

Experience managing multiple complex projects and timelines.

Strong relationship-building skills with donors and campus partners.

Ability to analyze donor engagement data and recommend improvements.

Experience with Advancement CRM systems and reporting tools.

High level of professionalism working with executive leadership and major donors.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University.  The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.  Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit.  Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.