POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Assistant Director of Donor Relations and Special Events
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1789
GRADE 43
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Senior Director of Donor Relations
GENERAL FUNCTION
On the West Plains campus, the Assistant Director, Donor Relations determines the amount of Foundation scholarship awards, monitors compliance with donor agreement guidelines serves as a liaison with the West Plains Office of Student Financial Aid and scholarship committees on campus to facilitate communication, coordinates the scholarship notification and donor thank you process, and reports on privately funded scholarships. The Assistant Director, Donor Relations assists in all aspects of planning and executing Foundation and University events.
The Assistant Director, Donor Relations and Alumni Relations - West Plains works collaboratively with the Executive Director of Engagement and Alumni Relations for the development and implementation of programs and events designed to inform and engage MSU West Plains’ alumni and friends with the University. Specific programs include Homecoming, reunions, alumni chapters and affinity groups. The Assistant Director recruits and collaborates with alumni volunteers in achieving campus goals.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree is required; a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or Business-related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: At least two years of successful professional experience is required. Prior experience in fundraising or development work is preferred; a demonstrated record of success in a related career field is preferred.
Skills: Exceptional interpersonal skills with all ages are required. Strong written and oral communication skills are required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, especially word processing and Excel, is required. Database management experience is preferred. Must be detail-oriented and have excellent follow-through and planning abilities; must be able to manage deadlines. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Effort: Occasionally required to lift and move boxes of materials and equipment weighing twenty-five to fifty pounds.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Monitors active scholarship accounts benefitting students on the West Plains campus to ensure scholarships are awarded within established guidelines.2. Determines the amount of Foundation scholarship awards which benefit the West Plains campus by evaluating account balances and fund sustainability.
3. Coordinates the implementation and maintenance of the Scholarship Manager (SM) software program, including entering fund, scholarship, and other information needed for scholarships benefitting the West Plains campus. .
4. Coordinates and provides training on the scholarship process and the SM software for designated staff in the West Plains Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) and Foundation as well as the West Plains Campus Scholarship Committees by working with the Director of Donor Relations and the Assistant Director, OSFA.
5. Serves as a liaison with the Foundation, the West Plains Office of Student Financial Aid, and scholarship committees across campus, maintains and accurate list of all scholarship committees on campus, works with the West Plains Office of Student Financial Aid concerning student awards and scholarships, develops, implements, and disseminates policies and procedures to be used by scholarship committees in determining Foundation scholarship award selection, and facilitates the flow of financial information to campus scholarship committees prior to awards.
6. Coordinates the scholarship notification and donor thank you process for scholarships benefitting the West Plains campus by notifying students of the thank you letter process, coordinating receipt and review of thank you letters from students, notifying the OSFA of receipt so funds may be disbursed, and mailing thank you letters to donors.
7. Compiles and reports metrics on an annual basis to assess the University’s performance in awarding privately funded scholarships benefiting West Plains
8. Assists the Senior Director of Donor Relations and Special Events (DRSE) on all aspects of planning and executing a variety of Foundation and University events.
9. Enhances the ability of the University to meet fund-raising goals by having a complete understanding of giving programs available through the Missouri State University Foundation and possessing a knowledge of the advantages of membership in various gift recognition clubs.
10. Facilitates and supports the accomplishment of established goals for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations by developing and maintaining cordial and professional working relationships with University administrative, support, and professional departmental staff and appropriate off-campus constituencies.
11. Assures donor confidentiality as well as the confidentiality of the projects undertaken by the Office of Development and Alumni Relations by conducting all personal contacts and communications with donors in a professional manner.
12. Facilitates good donor relations by representing the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at functions and meetings as assigned and working with donors and potential donors, alumni, students, friends, and various constituencies of the University to strengthen their ties to Missouri State University.
13. Participates as a fully productive member of the professional staff by adhering to all University policies and procedures and the internal policies and procedures of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
14. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
15. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing contacts with colleagues, attending professional development training, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Senior Director of Donor Relations and Special Events.
16. Supports the Office of Development and Alumni Relations by performing all other duties as assigned.
17. Support and manage alumni volunteers for the West Plains alumni chapter.
18. Engages alumni and friends of the University by assisting with coordination of alumni activities and providing organization and support to their meetings and activities; fosters good relationships with alumni by responding to inquiries from alumni and providing requested information and assistance; assists in website functions and duties related to Alumni Relations.
19. Under the direction of the Executive Director of Engagement and Alumni Relations, coordinates the production of communications sent to alumni by writing text for brochures, letters, news articles, mass email messages, etc.
20. Supports the Office of Development and Alumni Relations by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Assistant Director, Donor and Alumni Relations is supervised by the Senior Director of Donor Relations. Direct supervision of a student worker on the West Plains campus as well as an administrative assistant, graduate assistant and various student workers on the Springfield campus in the DRSE department as needed.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JUNE 2022