Job Description

Title: Assistant Director, Donor Engagement
Division Name: University Advancement
Department: Advancement & Foundation Operations

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Donor Relations reports to the Director of Donor Relations and works to execute a comprehensive and individualized stewardship program for donors and prospects of all levels. The Assistant Director will support the Director in the execution of high-quality events, communications, and other courtesies that 1). Showcase and celebrate the impact of private support; 2). Promote and build upon new and existing giving societies (1857 Society, Heritage Society, President’s Circle); and 3). Create high-quality, individualized experiences for top donors and prospects. 4) Provide stewardship and endowment reporting for donors. This position will also evaluate, track, and measure results of donor engagement activities. The Assistant Director will oversee the development and timely execution of personalized acknowledgement letters, annual endowment and impact reporting, digital engagement strategy fueled by creation of targeted donor journeys through the MarketingCloud platform.

Additional Information

University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/etirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/ 

This position may be eligible for remote work after successful completion of a 12-month probationary period. Eligibility is based upon employee performance, appropriate remote working environment, and business needs.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$51,000 - $59,000 annual

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in marketing, business administration, communications, public relations, or a closely related field.
2. Minimum of two (2) years of full-time or part-time equivalent professional level experience in marketing, communications, public relations, event planning, brand management, or closely related field.
Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year (12 months) of work experience.
3. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
4. Ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues as well as interact with current and prospective donors.
5. Proven skill in tracking and meeting goals and metrics.
6. Ability to meet established deadlines.
7. Demonstrated ability to work as a self-starter and self-motivator.
8. Creative problem-solver who can identify gaps and opportunities and share recommendations to enhance the overall Donor Engagement strategy.
9. Ability to constructively contribute as a member of the Donor Relations team and the entire Donor Engagement team , as well as the Division of University Advancement.
10. Demonstrated ability to behave in a manner that ensures confidentiality of donor data.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Demonstrated ability to build and manage systems that drive consistency, efficiency, and automation across fundraising operations.
2. Experience creating scalable donor engagement strategies and personalized touchpoints for both annual giving and major giving audiences.
3. Strong communication and technology skills with the ability to leverage segmentation strategies to deliver meaningful access, exclusive experiences, and targeted insider communication to donors.
4. Strong organizational skills, ability to manage long-term projects, and flexibility to deal with changing priorities (familiarity with Asana for project management is a plus).
5. Previous experience with formal business and/or development writing desired.
6. Demonstrated ability to design, build, and optimize customer journeys within Salesforce Marketing Cloud.
7. Proven success managing direct mail campaigns and projects from concept development through production and distribution.
8. Familiarity with donor impact communications and the preparation of endowment reporting materials for stewardship and advancement efforts.

Work Hours

Core work hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
3. Distinguish colors on a monitor.
4. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.

Proposed Starting Date

September 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.

To be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or military service documentation may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Breanna Crippen
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Breanna Crippen
Human Resources
309-438-8315
bcplese@ilstu.edu 

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.