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Our Mission

We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Stewardship & Donor Relations team is looking for an Associate Director who w ill help lead SDR’s effort to ensure gift and endowment funds are administered in accordance with donor restrictions, University policy, and industry standards.

Stewardship & Donor Relations at Boston University

The central Stewardship & Donor Relations team is responsible for the design and implementation of a strategic and integrated donor relations program for past and current donors to enhance their relationships with the University. Through collaboration with their Development & Alumni Relations colleagues, and various offices across the University, the team creates meaningful communications and opportunities to express Boston University’s gratitude to its constituents and demonstrate the impact of their philanthropy.

Associate Director

In partnership with and reporting to the Senior Associate Director Fund Stewardship & Compliance, the Associate Director for Fund Stewardship & Compliance is an integral member of the University’s central Stewardship & Donor Relations (SDR) team. With accountability and continuous improvement top of mind, the Associate Director sets the stage for successfully demonstrating donor impact by proactively engaging with unit-based development, finance, and financial aid colleagues on effective restricted funds management and working thoughtfully with University partners such as Gifts & Records, General Accounting, and General Counsel to inform resources and training related to the establishment and administration of donor-restricted funds.

The Associate Director will play a key role in refining a comprehensive, donor-centric strategy aroun d fund management, working closely with SDR’s Stewardship & Donor Communications and Donor Engagement & Recognition Relations sub-teams to improve fund data collection and guide regular, comprehensive fund auditing that empowers units to have greater autonomy over their own fund utilization and compliance efforts. This position is responsible for building meaningful connections and working collaboratively with academic and financial partners to encourage fund compliance and integrity in spending. The Associate Director will remain current on industry best practice, including CASE Reporting Standards, and support the development of fund terms, regularly drafting gift agreements and amendments, as well as fielding requests for fund research and documentation.

Responsibilities

• Collect, distribute, and improve restricted fund data for fund management purposes, generating lists of restricted funds for school-, college-, and other unit-based colleagues, as well as members of the Development & Alumni Relations team and the Provost’s office. Audit funds to ensure fund documentation, restrictions, and preferences are accurately recorded and readily available to fund administrators and development staff.

• Guide cross-functional communication and collaboration to streamline and improve fund management and inform fund financial and impact reporting, enhancing existing resources and developing new ones to support the proactive administration of restricted funds and support fund administrator and development staff training.

• Research funds, prepare amendments, and develop resolutions to compliance issues, collaborating with the Office of General Counsel and General Accounting as needed.

• Review, edit, and approve gift agreements to establish new funds, working closely with gift officers to ensure gift intentions can be effectively implemented and stewarded appropriately. Partner with General Counsel and General Accounting as needed to research and resolve issues with fund terms.

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.

• 5+ years of experience, including a minimum of three years of experience in development, stewardship, donor relations, advancement communications, preferably in a complex institution of higher education.

• Excellent problem-solving abilities, with a proven track record in developing and implementing strategic solutions.

• Exemplary communications skills and the ability to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of persons at all levels of management within and external to a university environment.

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills.

• Superb judgment and the sensibility to adjudicate wisely among competing priorities.

• Strong project management skills and follow through necessary to develop plans and timelines, monitor priorities, and progress against goals.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and perform multiple duties with minimal supervision, with a high degree of accuracy, keen attention to detail, and follow-through under tight deadlines.

• Capacity to work in a fast-paced environment involving high-level stakeholders; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.

• Extraordinary attention to detail and high level of discretion. Must be highly organized and able to manage confidential information.

• Exhibit a curiosity for streamlining processes using technology to improve outcomes and accuracy.

• Strong working knowledge of donor databases/CRM.

• Highly proficient in relevant software, eCRM’s, operations and procedures, including University wide systems and applications (SAP).

  But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.

• Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.

• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.

• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.

• Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team.

• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

  If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

  To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/ .

  We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

  If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.

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Required Experience