Director of Donor Relations

Company: University of the Pacific
Location: Stockton
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Primary Purpose The Director of Donor Relations is responsible for leading the direction, operation and assessment of a comprehensive stewardship and donor relations program in support of Pacific’s development goals. This position will be a vital member of the development team and will play a key role in Pacific’s expanding donor relations program. The Director oversees all central stewardship processes and programs and collaborates with development teams and campus partners in a collective effort to ensure consistent, impactful stewardship and meaningful donor recognition at all giving levels. The position reports to the Senior Associate Vice President of Development. Essential Functions The Director creates, implements, manages, and assesses a comprehensive donor relations plan to support fundraising goals for the university. Oversee all central stewardship processes and programs and collaborates with development teams and campus partners in a collective effort to ensure consistent, impactful stewardship communications, gift agreement compliance and meaningful donor recognition at all giving levels. Develop and ensure high quality content for a full range of development materials including acknowledgments, endowment reports, giving societies, impact reports, and videos through multiple mediums including web, social, email and print. Responsible for the Annual Endowment Reporting process, including annual process development/improvement, research, collaborating with internal partners, assembly, mailing, maintaining appropriate documenting practices, and responding to donor or development officer inquiries. Partner with Pacific’s senior leadership to identify stewardship priorities, goals, and activities for the University’s high-level donors. Drive the implementation, management, and evaluation of these priority stewardship initiatives. Responsible for donor recognition events. Plan detailed programs, coordinate, and coach student presenters, and orchestrate successful logistical arrangements to enhance program success. Collaborate with staff and faculty on impact reporting, endowed chairs and professorships recognition, and other VIP donor experiences in partnership with senior development leadership. Manage all gift acknowledgement processes, ensuring that donors are thanked appropriately, professionally, and accurately through specialized acknowledgements (both custom and broad-based) according to gift levels, donor history, and special circumstances. Develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for fund utilization monitoring, fund administrator training, and donor intent compliance. Work closely with schools/units to identify underspent and unspent funds, determine the causes of underspending, and implement solutions that honor donors’ intent. Relay information to senior development leadership. Collaborate with major gift officers, annual giving, and other campus partners to ensure effective and cohesive stewardship and impact reporting around solicitations. Design and execute annual giving day stewardship plan. Establish methods to assess ROI on donor relations activities, report results, and evaluate and refine scope of work based on evidence-based successes. Oversee the Assistant or Associate Director of Donor Relations for goal setting and performance management purposes. Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree. Seven (7) years of relevant work experience of increased responsibility, preferably in donor relations with a focus on alumni giving/engagement and stewardship. Preferred Qualifications An understanding of philanthropy as it relates to higher education. Ability to inspire, educate and motivate development personnel about strong stewardship and donor communication practices. Experience and discretion with confidential materials. Understanding of donor funded financial aid and scholarship practices in a university setting. Ability to interpret gift and financial data for fund tracking and donor stewardship practices. Positive attitude, proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion Demonstrated management and organizational ability to work on multiple projects with competing deadlines and to establish goals and workload priorities. Ability to develop and monitor budgets and production schedules. Proven ability to review detailed materials accurately (frequently under time pressures). Demonstrated ability to build manage, mentor and motivate an effective team. Ability to navigate a complex academic community and to build bridges and effective, collaborative relationships with internal colleagues and external stakeholders. Results-oriented leader with ability to successfully manage multiple and competing priorities. Strong project and process management skills. Exemplary interpersonal and oral / written communication skills. Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and consensus building abilities. Innovative, creative strategist dedicated to continuous improvement. Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting. Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Keywords: University of the Pacific, Citrus Heights , Director of Donor Relations, Administration, Clerical , Stockton, California