Director of Stewardship

Position InformationClassification Title Donor Relations Manager FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experiencePreferred QualificationsAdvanced degree preferred or bachelor's degree and 10 years of related higher education experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience related to sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management.Experience in higher education donor relations preferred.Ability to establish the trust of colleagues and build strong relationships with key faculty/staff.Ability to respond to donors' needs and concerns in a kind and professional way.Ability to generate creative ideas and solutions for donor stewardship, recognition, and acknowledgements, as well as to maintain positive relationships with donors.Position SummaryThe Director of Stewardship serves as the senior leader for the stewardship function within Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) and acts as the primary strategic partner to the Senior Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship. This role provides vision, leadership, and execution for all stewardship and recognition efforts, ensuring donors at every level experience meaningful, personalized, and high-quality stewardship that reflects the impact of their philanthropy.With broad autonomy and minimal oversight, the Director of Stewardship is responsible for leading and advancing a comprehensive stewardship program that supports the University's fundraising priorities, strengthens donor trust, and deepens long-term relationships. This position supervises a team, manages complex initiatives, and collaborates extensively across campus to ensure stewardship efforts are timely, accurate, innovative, and aligned with institutional goals and priorities.Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or CompetenciesSelf-starter and highly motivated.Personnel management skills.Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment.Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication.Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations.Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines.Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities.Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information.Skilled in using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.Creative thinker with the ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas.Additional Division Expectations:* Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.* Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting is expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.Physical DemandsWork in a standard office environmentWork evenings and weekends as necessaryTravel in and out of state as necessarySit and work at a computer workstation for extended periods of timeWork using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondenceCommunicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listeningOrganize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multitaskLift and/or move up to 30 poundsWalk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climbIs driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policyBe advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.Background Investigation PolicyOffers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.Duties/ResponsibilitiesDuties/ResponsibilitiesLeadership and ManagementServe as the senior leader for all stewardship initiatives, providing strategic direction and operational oversight with limited day-to-day supervision.Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Senior Director, helping shape overall donor engagement strategy and priorities.Supervise, mentor, and develop stewardship staff, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and innovation.Oversee stewardship workflows, timelines, and quality control to ensure consistent execution across multiple programs and audiences.Identify opportunities to modernize, streamline, and elevate stewardship practices using data, technology, and best practices.Oversee stewardship efforts, including, but not limited to:Presidents Club StewardshipPresidential AcknowledgementsTribute NotificationsImpact ReportingFinancial endowment reportsEndowed faculty impact reportsScholarship gratitude and impact reportsCumulative impact books and special recognition* Annual Giving and Alumni Stewardship* Scholarship StewardshipPercentage of time 60 Duties/ResponsibilitiesTeam Stewardship and Collaboration* Provide leadership for Team Stewardship, convening and engaging stewardship professionals across campus.* In conjunction with the Stewardship Coordinator, execute quarterly Team Stewardship meetings* Facilitate collaboration, idea sharing, and alignment of stewardship practices university-wide.* Strengthen cross-campus partnerships to ensure consistent messaging, shared standards, and collective success.Percentage of time 15 Duties/ResponsibilitiesCumulative Giving Societies Leadership (CGS)Serve as the primary leader for all Cumulative Giving Societies programs and recognition.Enhance and expand CGS stewardship by:Broadening recognition strategiesElevating donor experiencesIdentifying new engagement and appreciation opportunitiesEnsure CGS recognition reflects donors' lifetime commitment and reinforces long-term loyalty.Partner with DAR colleagues to align CGS stewardship with fundraising and engagement goals.Percentage of time 15 Duties/ResponsibilitiesSupport and AdministrationFoster a collaborative fundraising culture campus-wide by coordinating logistics for quarterly meetings.Represent the Senior Director in their absence with supervisory responsibility and with providing direction and response from the Office of Donor Relations and Stewardship.Provide additional support to donor relations and stewardship opportunities where needed.Percentage of time 10Contact InformationRecruitment ContactContact DetailsFor questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.Recruitment Contact Name Development & Alumni Relations' Office of Talent Management Recruitment Contact Email dartalent@uga.edu Recruitment Contact PhonePosting Specific QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).* How did you hear about this job opportunity in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR)?Chronicle of Higher EducationDAR Careers PageHandshakeInsight Into AcademiaInside Higher EdLinkedInUGAJobs (UGA's job board)Other (Please provide name of source)Applicant DocumentsRequired Documents* Resume/CV* Cover LetterOptional DocumentsPersons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact University HR (hrweb@uga.edu).The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status.