Associate Director of Stewardship
Colorado State University
Posting Detail Information
Working TitleAssociate Director of Stewardship
Position LocationFort Collins, CO
Work LocationPosition qualifies for hybrid/in-office work
Research Professional PositionNo
Posting Number202402165AP
Position TypeAdmin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification TitleProf/Indiv Contrib II
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week40
Proposed Annual Salary Range$72,000 - $80,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment todiversity, equity and inclusion (https://inclusiveexcellence.colostate.edu/about/) , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
+ Review our detailed benefits information here. (https://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)
+ Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
+ For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator (https://hr.colostate.edu/total-compensation-calculator/) .
+ Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-community/) !
Desired Start Date02/17/2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on01/19/2025
Description of Work Unit
Who We Are
Located in the beautiful town of Fort Collins, Colorado, CSU is a premier land-grant university with world-class programs in education, outreach, and research. CSU has a student body of over 34,000 students, 7,400 employees, 232,000 living alumni, and annual research expenditures exceeding $350 million. Guided by the five supporting Principles of Community: Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, Service, and Social Justice, the University constantly pursues its mission and vision of access, research, teaching, service, and engagement.
Within CSU , the Division of University Advancement is integral to achieving and sustaining the University’s institutional excellence through fundraising and engagement efforts. Our purpose is to connect our alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations to raise the financial support necessary to advance the University’s mission and vision. With one of the leading development teams in the country, the Division most recently reached its $1 billion fundraising campaign goal 19 months ahead of schedule.
University Advancement Engagement designs and delivers the donor experience at CSU . As the central team with responsibility for donor relations, stewardship, events, and marketing/communications, we provide comprehensive, strategic engagement opportunities that increase Ram Pride, strengthen donor and alumni connections to the University, and inspire philanthropy at CSU . Grounded in the mission and core values of University Advancement, UA Engagement incorporates the principles of excellence, purpose, gratitude, collaboration, and innovation into every aspect of our work.
As an integral part of University Advancement, the CSU Donor Relations and Stewardship team has the pleasure of providing innovative, authentic, and meaningful service and appreciation to Colorado State University donors at all levels. Additionally, this unit works collaboratively with all program areas in Advancement (fundraising and non-fundraising) to identify and implement opportunities, efficiency, and best practices to serve donors and provide value to campus partners.
Position Summary
This position will share key strategizing and leadership responsibilities, where success is achieved by working collaboratively with centralized and decentralized fundraising teams and using data, paired with creativity, to effectively make decisions. To do this, it will be important to
establish meaningful, collegial working relationships with development colleagues and other University offices, share ideas for best practices in all areas of donor relations and stewardship, and be energized by a growing and evolving team. The Associate Director of Stewardship will represent the University in interactions with donors of all levels and University leadership – including University Advancement leadership and the President’s Office and with our partners in the CSU Foundation. Effective communication skills, attention to detail, project management, and a zeal for gratitude is important.
This position will infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of their work in order to contribute to ensuring donors of all backgrounds feel represented and included.
This position reports to the Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship
Required Job Qualifications
+ Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university by employment start date
+ Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a donor relations, stewardship, communications, or other similar development role in higher education or other non-profit setting OR equivalent experience in a complex nonprofit organization.
+ Minimum of 1 year experience in a supervisory role leading professional employees.
+ Demonstrates active engagement and support of diverse individuals, opinions and perspectives, and actively engages with and supports the University’s mission, vision and values.
+ Ability to travel in and out of state and work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends
+ Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a driver’s license, or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date
Preferred Job Qualifications
+ Experience in strategically planning and creating stewardship communications for a variety of donor audiences using data and industry best-practice.
+ Truly exceptional written and verbal communications skills, including storytelling experience
+ Demonstrated knowledge of all facets of fundraising and stewardship
+ Superb project management and project leadership skills
+ Highly organized with the ability to multi-task and change working priorities at a moment’s notice
+ Excellent attention to detail and commitment to meeting project deadlines
+ Proficient in Microsoft Suite and/or experience using design, program management, or donor CRM tools
+ Commitment to being a quality supervisor and promotor of positive workplace culture
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Essential Duties
Job Duty CategoryStrategic Development
Duty/Responsibility
+ Formulate and execute strategies to improve impact reporting and acknowledgement practices
+ Lead and continue elevating endowment stewardship, with focused attention on the annual endowment reporting effort.
+ Identify and pursue additional central stewardship strategies to enhance donor retention efforts.
+ Incorporates diversity, equity, and inclusion into all strategies and stewardship plans as part of UA’s commitment to Principled Philanthropy in order to ensure donors of all backgrounds and identities feel represented and valued.
+ Ensure that communications and materials represent CSU’s entire donor base and are accessible and consumable to all donors, regardless of background and ability
Percentage Of Time55%
Job Duty CategoryCommunication, Program Strategy and Donor Management
Duty/Responsibility
+ Manage various special projects and new initiatives assigned by the Director and decide on needed resources and partnerships to execute special project(s).
+ Oversee mass donor relations and stewardship communication strategies, metrics, and execution efforts (including, but not limited to, pledge stewardship, centralized acknowledgements, receipting, giving day stewardship, campaigns, and e-newsletters)
+ Lead various internal committees/workgroups, and initiate outreach to colleges and units to better identify donor relations and stewardship needs that can be supported centrally. Make recommendations to Director on outcomes and next steps.
+ Consistently achieve departmental and institutional objectives and refine existing programs to better attain goals.
+ Provide input in creating vision for stewardship priorities and initiatives.
Percentage Of Time30%
Job Duty CategorySupervision and Budget Management
Duty/Responsibility
+ Make recommendations for budget needs to the Director. Should projects exceed the allocated amount, work with the Director to increase budget to accomplish the success of the project.
+ Manage work assignments of direct report to deliver desired outcomes, oversee development of individual goals and work plans.
+ Hire, train, mentor, develop and evaluate employee performance toward individual and team goals.
Percentage Of Time15%
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants should submit:
+ A cover letter that demonstrates any and all of the required and preferred qualifications that they meet
+ A resume
+ Three professional references noting name, phone number, email address, and professional relationship (one should be a current or former supervisor).
For tips on how to craft a successful application, please review the FAQ document on our Careers site at: giving.colostate.edu/careers/current-opportunities/.
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Questions regarding the position or anything else related to careers with UA may be directed to the University Advancement Talent & HR team at UA_TMHR@colostate.edu
Conditions of EmploymentPre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License, Travel
Search ContactJerick Flores, jerick.flores@colostate.edu
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. TheOffice of Equal Opportunity (https://oeo.colostate.edu/) is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715,titleix@colostate.edu.
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836,oeo@colostate.edu.
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to theOffice of Civil Rights, Department of Education (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html) .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
References Requested
References Requested
Minimum Requested3
Maximum Requested3
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
+ * Do you have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution?
+ Yes
+ No
+ * Do you have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in development, stewardship, donor relations in higher education or other non-profit setting OR equivalent experience in a complex nonprofit organization?
+ Yes
+ No
+ * Do you have at least one year of experience in a supervisory role leading professional employees?
+ Yes
+ No
+ * Do you demonstrates active engagement and support of diverse individuals, opinions and perspectives, and will you actively engage with and support the University’s mission, vision and values?
+ Yes
+ No
+ * Do you have the ability to travel in and out of state, and work non-standard hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends?
+ Yes
+ No
+ * Do you have a valid driver's license with reliable transportation or ability to obtain one by start date, or access to a licensed driver?
+ Yes
+ No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
+ Cover Letter
+ Resume
+ List of Professional References
Optional Documents
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