Job Details

Senior Director of Stewardship

Position Number: 6394145
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Senior Director of Stewardship

Job Summary

University Advancement at the University of Utah is seeking an experienced, strategic, and creative leader to serve as the Senior Director of Stewardship. This role is a key member of the Donor Relations team and plays a central part in fostering meaningful, lasting relationships between the University and its donors.

As the architect of a comprehensive, campus-wide stewardship program, the Senior Director will lead efforts to enhance donor satisfaction, retention, and engagement. The role collaborates closely with university leadership and university advancement senior leaders to align stewardship strategies with institutional priorities and fundraising goals.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in donor relations, a data-informed approach to strategy, and a passion for building sustainable, donor-centered programs. This position also plays a leadership role in shaping the donor experience at the University of Utah-ensuring that every donor feels appreciated and understands the impact of their giving. The candidate must be excited by strategically developing stewardship, compliance, and recognition programs in collaboration with donor relations team members and cross-functionally with fundraising teams.

Responsible for managing the teams responsible for gift acknowledgment, gift agreements, gift compliance, gift recognition, and campus stewardship.

Responsibilities
Stewardship

Design and lead a scalable, university-wide stewardship program that ensures timely, personalized donor engagement and equips colleges and departments with tools and guidance for effective stewardship.
Advance a comprehensive donor relations strategy through acknowledgments, impact reports, and recognition materials that communicate the value of giving.
Collaborate with development officers, academic units, and campus partners to align stewardship with donor intent and institutional priorities.
Manage donor recognition programs, including giving societies and milestone honors.
Promote a culture of ethical stewardship, transparency, and accountability.
Implement systems to track stewardship activities, monitor outcomes, and evaluate effectiveness.
Supervise and mentor a stewardship team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Gift Agreements and Compliance

Lead a university-wide donor relations compliance program aligned with institutional policies, donor intent, and legal standards.
Collaborate with Advancement Services, OGC, and Income Accounting to ensure accurate gift documentation and execution, balancing donor expectations with institutional integrity.
Standardize protocols for acknowledgments, impact reporting, and stewardship fulfillment across all units.
Maintain a centralized system to track compliance, reporting timelines, and fund beneficiaries.
Conduct audits and risk assessments to ensure adherence to donor intent and institutional standards.
Serve as the primary advisor on donor compliance for senior leadership and campus partners.
Develop training and resources on compliance best practices and evolving regulations.
Monitor regulatory changes (e.g., CASE standards) and update policies accordingly.

Recognition

Advance a university-wide donor recognition program for physical spaces, including buildings, rooms, and outdoor areas.
Collaborate to develop policies for signage, naming approvals, and installation standards in collaboration with Campus Planning and Facilities, Mar/Comm, and donor relations.
Ensure that the inventory and tracking system for all named spaces and physical recognition elements are working effectively for the team and campus partners.
Ensure recognition aligns with donor intent, university branding, and accessibility standards.

Leadership & Team Management

Set direction and priorities for a team of professionals and support staff.
Foster a high-performance, innovative, and collaborative team culture.
Mentor and develop staff, emphasizing growth and retention.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree or equivalent experience (One year of education is equivalent to two years of experience).
Six years of related experience.

Preferences
Proven experience in donor relations, stewardship, or advancement leadership.Strong strategic planning, project management, and analytical skills.Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities.Experience managing teams and cross-functional collaboration.Familiarity with CRM systems and data-informed decision-making.

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN42555B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary: Monday - Friday 8am-5pm, Hybrid work environment but in-office work will be required.
Department: 00289 - Development
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 120000 to 150000
Close Date: 10/17/2025
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/185860