Assistant Director of Donor Relations

Working Title: Assistant Director of Donor Relations

State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Advancement Planning and Operations

Department: 100493 - Donor Relations

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 05/30/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

University Advancement at James Madison University is accepting applications for an Assistant Director of Donor Relations. This experienced position will report to the Senior Director of Donor Relations and is responsible for University Advancement events, including stewardship, cultivation, and campaign events. The Assistant Director of Donor Relations will also support Presidential Hospitality and utilize our CRM platform to create, manage and execute events. This position will need to be available to travel off-campus weekends and nights as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Event Management (70%)

• Responsible for University Advancement events, including but not limited to campaign, donor stewardship and cultivation events.
• Oversee all aspects of event planning, including logistics, communication, database management, day-of event management and post event surveys and evaluations.
• Assist in coordinating donor events hosted by the university president, including dedications, grand openings, and groundbreakings.
• Plan and implement fundraising campaign events aligned with university priorities.
• Create meaningful event communication to donors, including emails, invitations, and event registration.
• Develop and implement clear operational processes to streamline event planning using our CRM platform.
• Work with JMU’s catering, audio/visual companies, florists, printers, and university stakeholders.
• Travel to off-campus events as needed.
• Communicate clearly with campus offices and individuals involved in event production, including the President's office, University Events, Development, Principal Giving, University Marketing, Aramark, Office of Alumni Relations, Family Engagement, Duke Club, Deans, and Vice Presidents.
• Define event strategy and best practice standards to ensure campus partners follow Advancement protocols for events.
• Collaborate with University Marketing to ensure invitations, event messages and designs align with university branding.
• Utilize and manage donor data and related technology tools to support stewardship activities.

Presidential Hospitality (20%)

• Manage the President's box/seats at on-campus venues, including football, basketball, and Forbes Center performances.
• Create and manage invitation timelines.
• Communicate with the President's Office to ensure all event details are coordinated.

Advancement Planning & Operations (10%)

• Assist the Director of Donor Relations in planning and implementing a comprehensive donor strategy.
• Provide regular statistical reports on program areas.
• Maintain budget oversight for assigned program areas.
• Collaborate with division and campus partners to execute strategies for program success.
• Stay informed on donor relations and event best practices and attend relevant meetings.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree
• 2-3 years experience in event planning, donor relations, or a related field
• Familiarity with donor and financial databases.
• Ability to create and manage invitation timelines and event communications.
• Exemplary customer service skills, with a focus on providing a positive and seamless experience for donors and event attendees.
• Creative and innovative approach to event planning and donor engagement.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in using CRM platforms and other event management software.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility to travel for off-campus events is needed.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with digital communication tools (email marketing platforms, webinar software).
• High level of professionalism and discretion.
• Strong commitment to the mission and values of the university.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with donors, university staff, and external partners.

Preferred:

• Experience in higher education or non-profit organizations

Additional Posting Information:

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions of Employment:  

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.