Senior Director of Donor Relations – Advancement and Alumni Engagement

Emory University

. Lead, develop, and implement strategies and programs to enhance and strengthen relationships with donors and significant donor prospects .

Posted 9/23/2026full-timeAtlanta • United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in donor relations, stewardship, and fundraising strategies, with a strong focus on data management and program evaluation. Proven ability to lead teams, manage multiple projects, and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Donor Relations ManagementProject ManagementCRM SystemsLeadership ExperienceFundraising Strategy

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Data AnalysisStewardship ReportingBudget ManagementFinancial ReportingMicrosoft Office SuiteDatabase ManagementProgram EvaluationEvent PlanningPhilanthropic Fund ManagementStrategic Planning

Soft Skills

Interpersonal SkillsOrganizational SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsAttention to DetailCommunication Skills

Tools & Technologies

CRM SoftwareProject Management Software

Industry Keywords

Donor EngagementAlumni EngagementNon-Profit SectorUniversity AdvancementConstituent Giving

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead, develop, and implement strategies and programs to enhance and strengthen relationships with donors and significant donor prospects
Oversee donor acknowledgment, stewardship reporting, donor recognition, donor engagement, and events
Lead the Donor Relations team and establish goals and strategies for programs
Evaluate program outcomes and effectiveness
Partner strategically with Emory schools and units to design and implement projects for priority donors and programs
Represent the program with various constituencies at meetings and events
Determine data needs, collection, management, analysis, and high-level reporting for projects
Oversee how data is collected, routed, analyzed, and reported in the CRM system
Lead annual and strategic planning for the department
Oversee implementation of data-driven strategies
Use best practices to develop an overall donor relations strategic plan
Develop strategies and oversee individualized stewardship plans for high-level donors and university-wide stewardship activities
Supervise staff
Create elevated stewardship opportunities for principal-level donors and prospects
Design, review, and validate stewardship data for donor funds and reports
Maintain knowledge of best practices and current trends in constituent giving and donor relations
Perform related duties as required

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree
Seven years of experience in donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, or alumni engagement
Supervisory, leadership, or management experience
Extensive experience managing projects, programs, budgets, and financial reports
Advanced knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite, database and project management software, and CRM systems
Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills
Attention to detail and ability to work with ambiguity and navigate a complex work environment
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
High level of professionalism and commitment to confidentiality, sound judgment, and discretion
Experience leading teams and working independently and collaboratively
Strong written and verbal communication skills and effective presentation skills
Experience with philanthropic fund management and reporting, including understanding of data and financial information
Prior experience in advancement, fundraising, alumni engagement, non-profit, or a university setting
Capacity to lead and develop team skills through feedback and coaching
Flexibility to accommodate changing priorities and deadlines
Must reside in the state of Georgia
Must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based on business needs

Benefits

Comp & perks

Opportunity to work from home regularly
Hybrid remote work arrangement
Equal opportunity employment
Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities