Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship, the Associate Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship oversees fund management and reporting, stewardship, and processing systems for the university’s expendable and endowed funds, with particular attention towards scholarship support. This individual plays an important role in fostering donor confidence in their philanthropic gifts and inspiring ongoing engagement with the university.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead for the annual Scholarship Impact Report and provide key support for the annual Endowment Impact Report. Coordinate with key departments and student recipients to ensure accuracy and timely delivery of donor reports.
• Provide exceptional customer service and serve as the main contact for scholarship questions for external and internal stakeholders. Communicate regularly with scholarship recipients regarding the reason for their award, expectations for their participation in scholarship events, and follow up with their donors.
• Collaborate and share best practices with the Special Events team and college Event Planners in order for them to implement and host high-quality, meaningful stewardship experiences for donors.
• Engage with campus partners to gather stories, data, and outcomes that demonstrate the impact of donor support.
• Draft campaign and ad hoc stewardship reports and donor collateral.
• Develop, manage, and maintain department processes for acknowledging and stewarding individual gifts, matching gifts, corporate gifts, and recurring gifts.
• Track major gifts and draft personalized acknowledgment letters.
• Serve as University Advancement departmental liaison with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) to ensure that all scholarship awards are properly administered, and communicate the award timeline and student award receipt information with the Development team.
• Periodically audit scholarship funds to ensure state and federal compliance and that the donor's intent is still applicable to the program and/or purpose.
• Monitor and, as needed, facilitate improvement projects related to the internal scholarship reports on Tableau.
• Support the Development Team and their partners in academic units to stay current on funding needs; promote scholarship, endowment, and expendable fund awareness.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to manage time effectively and balance multiple priorities in fast-paced environments
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to draft, edit, and format correspondence and reports professionally
• Proven discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive donor, student, and organizational information
• Ability to collaborate as an effective team member and communicate respectfully with internal and external constituents
• Skilled in working independently to develop, implement, and evaluate programs that align with University Advancement and Tower Foundation objectives
• Ability to interpret, apply, and, when necessary, adapt policies and procedures in areas where specific guidelines may not exist
• Knowledge of campus-wide scholarship stewardship initiatives and programs, with the ability to provide context and guidance
• Strong problem-solving skills, with accountability for meeting goals, objectives, and obligations while representing the mission, vision, and values of the organization
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, and stewardship database systems; ability to quickly learn and apply new project management and technology platforms

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and/or equivalent training
• Minimum’ four years of administrative work experience involving analysis and evaluation of policies, procedures and practices
• Experience developing new or improved policies, programs, and practices Input required qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree
• Experience in higher education
• Experience working in a foundation, alumni or advancement office
• Experience with Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar donor database
• Knowledge of EverTrue platform products
• Experience with scholarship management technologies, preferably next Gen Scholarship Manager

Compensation

• Classification: Administrator I
• Anticipated Hiring Salary: $7,334/month
• CSU Salary Range: $3,938/month - $11,703/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: September 25, 2025 through October 8, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personneljobs@Sjsu.Edu408-924-2252

Csu Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

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