Description

Posting Details

Posting Number

S15117P

Working Title

Director of Stewardship

Department

DAR-Donor Engage & Steward

About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

The Office of Donor Relations and Stewardship turns donors into loyal supporters through an effective stewardship and engagement. We foster deeper relationships by demonstrating appreciation for the impact our donors are making in the lives of our students, faculty, and broader community. Our stewardship plan is critical to fundraising by enriching the experience our donors have with the university and instilling trust. Donors can count on timely acknowledgements, accurate reporting, appropriate recognition, and meaningful events and experiences to remind them that they are an essential part of the UGA family. Our collaborative, university-wide efforts connect donors to our organization proactively and intentionally, securing ongoing support and lifelong engagement.

College/Unit/Department website

https://dar.uga.edu/donor-relations-and-stewardship/

Posting Type

External

Retirement Plan

TRS or ORP

Employment Type

Employee

Benefits Eligibility

Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time

Full Time

Work Schedule

Additional Schedule Information

8:00am-5:00pm; Must be willing and able to work evenings and weekends, as necessary.

Advertised Salary

$88,000+ Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Posting Date

05/07/2026

Open until filled

Yes

Closing Date

Proposed Starting Date

08/01/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

• This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.

Location of Vacancy

Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement

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. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title

Donor Relations Manager

FLSA

Exempt

FTE

1.00

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced 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 Summary

The 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 Competencies

• Self-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 Demands

• Work in a standard office environment
• Work evenings and weekends as necessary
• Travel in and out of state as necessary
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for extended periods of time
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multitask
• Lift and/or move up to 30 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Is 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 policy

Be 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 Policy

Offers 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/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Serve 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 Stewardship
  • Presidential Acknowledgements
  • Tribute Notifications
  • Impact Reporting
    • Financial endowment reports
    • Endowed faculty impact reports
    • Scholarship gratitude and impact reports
    • Cumulative impact books and special recognition
  • Annual Giving and Alumni Stewardship
  • Scholarship Stewardship

Percentage of time

60

Duties/Responsibilities

Team 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/Responsibilities

Cumulative 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 strategies
• Elevating donor experiences
• Identifying new engagement and appreciation opportunities
• Ensure 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/Responsibilities

Support and Administration

• Foster 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

10

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details

For 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 Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this job opportunity in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR)?
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • DAR Careers Page
   • Handshake
   • Insight Into Academia
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • LinkedIn
   • UGAJobs (UGA's job board)
   • Other (Please provide name of source)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents