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As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

300 East River Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14623

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

100006 Ofc Sr Vice Pres Advancement

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 110

Compensation Range:

$60,431.00 - $84,603.00

_The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job's compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations._

Responsibilities:

GENERAL PURPOSE

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Annual Giving, the Associate Director of Donor Retention is a key member of the University of Rochester’s Direct Response Team (DRT), dedicated to strengthening donor loyalty and retention through strategic communication, recognition, and data-driven initiatives. This role oversees gift acknowledgments, manages donor recognition societies, and develops comprehensive donor retention programs. Collaborating closely with the DRT, the Associate Director implements innovative approaches to donor relations that encourage repeat giving and increased support. By leveraging personalized communication, stewardship activities, and engagement strategies, this position plays a critical leadership role in fostering lasting donor relationships and ensuring sustained financial support for the university’s mission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Donor Recognition & Stewardship

+ Oversee and execute timely, personalized, and meaningful gift acknowledgments, ensuring donors feel valued and appreciated.

+ Collaborate with the Direct Response Team to design and implement strategic, personalized outreach that enhances donor relationships for key audiences such as reunion alumni, young alumni, and parents.

Management of Donor Recognition Societies

+ Manage, enhance, and expand the Rochester Loyal donor recognition society, creating experiences that deepen donor connections and reinforce the impact of their philanthropy.

+ Coordinate multi-channel stewardship efforts, including print, email, text, digital, and event-based recognition, to create a cohesive and engaging donor experience.

+ Cultivates relationships with existing donors and stakeholders to maintain and enhance their engagement and support. Identifies and solicits new funding opportunities from individual donors, corporations, foundations, and other potential sources.

Donor Engagement & Retention

+ Develop and execute data-driven engagement strategies to strengthen donor commitment and foster long-term relationships.

+ Create innovative programs and campaigns to increase donor retention, upgrade gift amounts, and encourage sustained annual giving participation.

+ Partner with other Advancement departments, including alumni relations, GEC, major gifts, parents’ program, and affinity groups, to align engagement efforts and maximize donor participation.

Data Analysis & Reporting

+ Design and leverage data analytics to identify trends in donor behavior, assess program effectiveness, and inform future engagement strategies.

+ Analyze the effectiveness of existing stewardship and retention efforts, such as the annual wall calendar and current campaigns and strategies.

+ Monitor key performance metrics such as giving frequency, recency, gift size, and donor lifetime value to drive retention and acquisition efforts.

+ Develop regular reports and dashboards to track progress, measure impact, and provide actionable insights for leadership and fundraising teams.

+ Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

+ Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of experience and training required.

+ 5 or more years of related work experience in annual giving, stewardship, donor relations or alumni engagement, preferably in higher education; or an equivalent combination of education and experience required

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.

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Learn. Discover. Heal. Create.

Located in western New York, Rochester is our namesake and our home. One of the world’s leading research universities, Rochester has a long tradition of breaking boundaries—always pushing and questioning, learning and unlearning. We transform ideas into enterprises that create value and make the world ever better.

If you’re looking for a career in higher education or health care, the University of Rochester may offer the perfect opportunity for your background and goals

At the University of Rochester, we are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture and are united by a strong commitment to be ever better—Meliora. It is an ideal that informs our shared mission to ensure all members of our community feel safe, respected, included, and valued.