Associate Director of Donor Relations en Bradley University

Position Title:  Associate Director of Donor Relations

Department:  Advancement

Reports to:  Director of Donor Relations

Appointment:  Full-Time (12 months)

Status:   Exempt

The Office of Advancement at Bradley University celebrates generosity through recognition, appreciation, and meaningful communication that strengthen relationships and inspire future giving. Donor Relations is a key function within Advancement, working alongside Development and Alumni Relations to advance these efforts.

Join Bradley University as the Associate Director of Donor Relations and help strengthen the relationships that sustain the university’s mission. Reporting to the Director of Donor Relations, this role supports communications, recognition efforts, annual giving initiatives, signature events, and donor record stewardship that showcase the impact of philanthropy. 

Key Responsibilities

Donor Relations

• Partner with the Director of Donor Relations on acknowledgments and recognition strategies aligned with fundraising priorities
• Steward members of the Lydia Moss Bradley Society through consistent engagement, messaging, and branding
• Support donor events, including the Gratitude Celebration, dedications, ribbon cuttings, and recognition ceremonies
• Develop web-based event landing pages and oversee RSVP management and tracking
• Coordinate donor touchpoints such as welcome emails and first-time donor postcards
• Manage student gratitude initiatives through letters, videos, and event hosting
• Oversee marketing materials and promotional items to enhance donor recognition and giving campaigns

Annual Giving

• Support multi-channel annual giving strategies, including direct mail, digital outreach, and segmented donor/alumni campaigns
• Assist with coordinating the annual giving calendar of appeals and campaigns
• Manage the donor-facing interface of the online giving platform, including design, content, and acknowledgments
• Drive annual gift retention strategies with emphasis on Lydia Moss Bradley Society membership
• Lead donor relations and student engagement for the Annual Day of Giving, including a campuswide gratitude event

Donor Record Stewardship

• Serve as the primary owner of Lydia Moss Bradley Society data, working with the Director of Advancement Services to generate monthly lists of new members and pull accurate data for targeted invitations and events
• Collaborate with alumni and donor records colleagues to maintain and enhance the quality and usability of constituent data to support stewardship efforts

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• 5+ years professional experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace; strong skills with CRM/databases and data management tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; collaborative, service-focused, adaptable, and detail-oriented; able to work independently, manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and drive continuous improvement
• Commitment to handling sensitive donor data with integrity and discretion

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference for candidates with experience in donor-centered stewardship initiatives, especially within higher education, alumni relations, development, or nonprofit settings
• Experience with Blackbaud Raiser’s Edge NXT, GiveCampus, AlmaBase, or similar fundraising and engagement tools

Work Arrangements

• This position is based on campus in Peoria, Illinois
• This position will occasionally require evening and weekend work.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and complete contact information for a minimum of three professional references with telephone numbers. 

Please submit all materials at the time of initial application.

Bradley University offers a competitive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability coverages, FSA, HSA, and retirement plan options. Bradley also offers significant higher education cost savings for employees and dependents through the Tuition Remission program. Information regarding our benefits can be found here: https://www.bradley.edu/offices/business/human-resources/benefits/ 

Bradley University is a top-ranked, private university in Peoria, Illinois, offering nearly 6,000 undergraduate and graduate student’s opportunities, choices, and resources to build their futures. Innovation, action, and collaboration drive Bradley students to generate ideas and create solutions that remake the world around them. Our comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate academic programs includes business, communications, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology.

Employment with Bradley University is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.  Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Bradley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The administration, faculty and staff are committed to attracting qualified candidates from underrepresented groups.