Donor Relations Officer

The Donor Relations Officer is responsible for managing relationships with donors, ensuring they are engaged and appreciated for their contributions. Key responsibilities include: Donor Engagement, Acknowledgment and Recognition, Reporting and Stewardship and Collaboration.

The Donor Relations Officer (DRO) is an integral part of the University of Advancement Office, which consists of the University of Marketing and Communications, Alumni and Community Engagement, Institutional Events and Development. As a member of the Development Team, the DRO will contribute to the overall mission of fostering strong relationships with donors and securing ongoing support for the university. This role supports the office's efforts to enhance donor satisfaction, retention, and engagement, ultimately contributing to the university's long-term success and sustainability.

These skills and experiences will enable the Donor Relations Officer to successfully engage with donors, enhance their experience, and contribute to the university's long-term success.

Communication Skills:
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities to effectively engage with donors and convey the impact of their contributions.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain positive relationships with donors and colleagues.

Organizational Skills:
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, ensuring timely acknowledgment and recognition of donors.
• Detail-oriented approach to accurately track donor interactions and maintain comprehensive records.

Experience in Fundraising or Development:
• Previous experience in fundraising, donor relations, or a related field to understand the nuances of donor engagement and stewardship.
• Familiarity with fundraising software and databases to manage donor information and generate reports.

Strategic Thinking:
• Ability to develop and implement strategies for donor engagement and retention, aligning with the university's overall fundraising goals.
• Creative problem-solving skills to address challenges and enhance donor satisfaction.

Collaboration and Teamwork:
• Experience working collaboratively with various departments within the University of Advancement Office to ensure cohesive donor relations efforts.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment, contributing to shared goals and initiatives.

Commitment to the University's Mission:
• Passion for the university's mission and values, demonstrating a genuine commitment to supporting its goals through effective donor relations.
• Understanding of the university's programs and initiatives to communicate their impact to donors effectively.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong written and verbal communication, as well as interpersonal skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Proven knowledge of fundraising and donor relations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, Public Administration, or a related field, with two years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Position Details:

This position is located at the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage. This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule, Grade 79, based on education and experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references with your application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified. Review of application materials will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Helen Sale, HR Coordinator, at 907-786-6885.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.