How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

Make a lasting impact by advancing a culture of philanthropy at the nation's #2-ranked College of Pharmacy. The U-M College of Pharmacy's Development and Alumni Engagement Team is seeking a Stewardship Officer to lead its donor stewardship efforts during an exciting and transformative time. With the University's Look to Michigan Campaign underway, the College's upcoming relocation to a state-of-the-art facility, and its 150th anniversary celebration on the horizon, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of donor engagement and stewardship.

As the Stewardship Officer, you'll design and execute a comprehensive stewardship program that creatively engages, recognizes, and informs donors about the transformative impact of their support. Collaborating with colleagues across the College and the University, you'll ensure exceptional donor experiences, foster meaningful relationships, and uphold the highest standards of service and communication.

Join a small, flexible, and collaborative team where your ideas and contributions will drive innovation and make a lasting difference. If you're a positive, team-oriented professional passionate about advancing fundraising goals and creating exceptional donor experiences, we want to hear from you!

Responsibilities*

Gift Acknowledgement, Impact Reporting & Customized Donor Engagement 30%

Process gifts to the College and ensure all acknowledgement letters are written and mailed to donors in a timely manner, including drafting and updating templates, pulling and reviewing gift reports, and ensuring accuracy.
Acknowledge and report on all gifts given to the College, including annual, major, planned, and recurring contributions.
Produce compelling impact reports and customized donor communications, showcasing the tangible outcomes of their generosity.
Collaborate with development officers to create tailored engagement strategies for major donors.
Prepare electronic and hard copy donor giving reports upon request.
Manage customized projects for high-level donors, such as milestone birthdays, coordinating leadership messages, and unique gifts.
Oversee logistical details for specialized donor engagement opportunities, including donor visits and curated campus activities.
Involve students, faculty, and staff in stewardship opportunities and impact reporting to build a culture of philanthropy.
Interact directly with donors, providing a donor centric approach and exceptional customer service, to answer questions about gift funds, stewardship communications, and events; and to advance engagement and stewardship strategies
Leverage college and university resources to curate exceptional stewardship experiences for College donors

Stewardship Process Development 25%

Design and implement efficient processes for acknowledging and recording all gifts to the College, ensuring personalized and timely recognition.
Collaborate with College and University partners to develop and maintain systems for consistent tracking and reporting of stewardship activities.
Maintain data integrity within donor management systems, ensuring accurate records of gifts, gift agreements, donor intent, stewardship plans, and donor communication preferences.
Create and manage tools, such as a stewardship calendar, to ensure timely and donor-centered stewardship activities.
Develop a plan for generating regular reports that ensure all donors are being stewarded in a timely and accurate manner
Document all stewardship-related processes and procedures for the College
Assess and enhance the College's stewardship processes, identify and address any gaps to ensure a seamless and impactful donor experience.

Recognition and Stewardship Strategy 20%

Advise on and implement initiatives to enhance donor loyalty and engagement, such as recognition societies, personalized mementos, interactive impact reports, exclusive donor experiences, and gratitude campaigns.
Develop innovative programs like donor spotlights, naming opportunities, and scholarship recipient connections to foster meaningful relationships and highlight the transformative impact of donor contributions.
Develop and execute stewardship plans for volunteers, donors, and prospective donors to ensure meaningful and lasting relationships.
Provide strategic guidance for stewardship events, from large-scale donor recognition events to personalized stewardship engagements. This includes setting clear goals, defining objectives, measuring impact, and ensuring alignment with donor recognition strategies.
Develop strategies that convey the impact of philanthropy to internal and external audiences.

Gift Fund Management 15%

Partner with the finance team and College leadership to ensure all gift funds are utilized in strict accordance with donor intent.
Conduct regular audits of gift funds to ensure proper allocation and usage, providing timely reporting to key stakeholders.
Develop processes to efficiently share information and manage new and existing gift funds in compliance with university policies.

Collaborative Support for Pharmacy Development and Alumni Engagement Team Functions 10%

Provide cross-trained support to the Pharmacy Development and Alumni Engagement team as needed. Collaborate and assist teammates with special projects, other responsibilities, and emerging needs
Actively participate in networking, professional development and educational opportunities to stay informed on best practices in stewardship and donor relations.
Collaborate and build strong working relationships with development and non-development colleagues throughout the College and University
Support and encourage College and University diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Foster and build a culture of philanthropy by engaging College of Pharmacy students, faculty, and staff in fundraising and stewardship opportunities.

Required Qualifications*

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor degree and 5-7 years of professional experience in fundraising, preferably in an academic setting.

Required Skills

Exceptional written communication skills: Demonstrated ability to write, edit, and proofread with precision, tailoring messages effectively for diverse audiences.
Detail-oriented and process-driven: Outstanding attention to detail with a systematic approach to managing workflows and ensuring accuracy.
Project management expertise: Proven ability to develop, implement, and oversee complex processes while juggling multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strong interpersonal and customer service skills: Adept at building and maintaining positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
Donor-centric focus: A deep commitment to understanding and prioritizing the needs and experiences of donors.
Problem-solving and initiative: High level of resourcefulness and critical thinking, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving challenges.
Team collaboration and independence: Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively, contributing effectively as part of a team and in partnership with colleagues across various levels.
Confidentiality and judgment: Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and make sound decisions on complex and confidential matters.

Required Knowledge

Donor stewardship and fundraising expertise: Demonstrated experience in donor stewardship, philanthropy, and/or higher education fundraising, with a solid understanding of donor engagement best practices.
Financial literacy: Strong financial acumen, including the ability to interpret and analyze budgets, financial reports, and data to inform decision-making.
Technical proficiency: Proficiency with donor databases or constituent relationship management (CRM) tools, with the ability to effectively utilize technology to support stewardship efforts.

Required Computer Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced skills in Microsoft Word (including complex mail merges), Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Google Workspace expertise: Experience using Google Suite tools (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and Gmail) for collaboration and productivity.
Virtual communication tools: Proficiency in Zoom and other video conferencing platforms for hosting meetings and webinars.

Desired Qualifications*

Institutional knowledge: Familiarity with the University of Michigan's organizational structure, policies, and procedures.
Technical expertise: Experience with and working knowledge of DART, Business Objects, WebNow (ROI), Tableau, MReports, and Asana
Creative and strategic mindset: Demonstrated ability to think creatively and proactively, with experience designing and implementing donor recognition programs and stewardship processes.
Customer service excellence: A strong commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and fostering a culture of philanthropy that prioritizes donor satisfaction and engagement.

Modes of Work

Hybrid position (minimum of 3 days/week in person, expected to live within a commutable distance); Availability for occasional work on evenings and weekends.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Underfill Statement

This position may be underfilled at a lower classification depending on the qualifications of the selected candidate. Classification and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.