Job Description Summary

Reporting to the Associate VP of Advancement, the Director of Stewardship Programs is responsible for planning, establishing and managing a suite of donor recognition and stewardship programs and policies for the university’s major benefactors. The Director is accountable for the program’s success and the adherence of policies on the part of university stakeholders. This position is vital to the university’s development program and will serve a primary role in retaining and engaging our existing and growing donor base. Manage a comprehensive university-wide gift acknowledgment, stewardship, and reporting program for all gifts made to the university, including named endowment funds, other named gift opportunities and initiatives, and new and renovated facilities.

Essential Duties

• Oversee donor and stewardship reporting efforts including: managing the stewardship of funds; coordinating the development and administration of gift agreements, ensuring that new funds are appropriately documented in the Advancement database and can be administered by the University; direct the production of reports for endowed and specified current funds; provide oversight to ensure that restricted funds are being used in accordance to donor wishes.
• Work with the University’s Controller and Office of Financial Assistance to ensure endowed funds are created, monitored and distributed, and reported according to current practice and guidelines. Partner with university stakeholders in compliance with fund terms, providing information and documentation.
• Collaborate with fund-raising program directors to foster enduring relationships between Bentley and its benefactors, promote a philanthropic ethos among current and prospective donors, with priority attention to major and leadership gift donors (i.e. newly endowed gifts of $50,000 or greater).
• In collaboration with the AVP for Development and other program directors, develop, plan and execute donor stewardship events to recognize and celebrate donors, including annual recognition events, singular major gift recognition/announcements, and other events to support the capital campaign.
• In conjunction with Advancement Services and Advancement Communications, plan, design, and oversee gift acknowledgement processes to ensure that each gift to the university is recorded and acknowledged in a timely and appropriate fashion and in a way that maximizes the retention of each donor.
• Manage the production of endowment reports, and stewardship of donors including providing communication channels with philanthropy recipients.
• Manage documentation for all named spaces throughout the Bentley campus; maintain an inventory of all recognition plaques, and available spaces. Manage the creation, production and installation of recognition plaques to recognize philanthropic contributions in accordance with established Donor Recognition/Naming Policy and.
• Participate in the University’s prospect management and campaign activities to ensure that best practices stewardship processes are implemented for the university’s most significant donors.
• Plan and execute donor recognition events for major prospects and donors.

Other Duties

• Manage a team of two professional staff who will assist with the execution of stewardship office activities.
• Manage student workers and other volunteers.
• Participate in large-scale events/activities such as Falcon Weekend, Capital Campaign events or other campus wide activities as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 7-10 years of experience, preferably in higher education (or a comparably complex organization), in development, stewardship, advancement, or related field.
• Demonstrated previous experience interacting with high-level donors and developing comprehensive, strategic stewardship programs.
• 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.
• This position calls for superior communication and interpersonal skills, as well as creativity, political astuteness, and tact.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and experience with computer databases and tools (Millennium preferred).

Work Environment

• Typical fast-paced office environment with frequent use of computer equipment.
• The Director will need to work weekends and evenings as needed to execute his/her duties, especially related to stewardship event management.
• Ability to travel on and off-campus for work-related events, travel may occur outside of normal business hours including nights and weekends.
• Ability to lift and carry 20-30 pounds.
• A high level of initiative and energy is essential.

Bentley University requires reference checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.