Job Details

About the University of Hawai'i Foundation :

The University of Hawaiʻi Foundation was established in 1955 to encourage private support for the University of Hawaiʻi. Today it is the central fundraising organization for the UH System and is contracted by the Board of Regents to be the sole provider of fundraising and alumni services. In addition to fundraising, the Foundation manages more than 7,000 gift accounts for the benefit of the university and its students.

The UH Foundation is a private, institutionally related corporation designated as a 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a legally separate entity from the University of Hawaiʻi, the UH Alumni Association, and all other UH affiliates. However, the UH Foundation works closely with these organizations, as well as with others in the community, exclusively for the benefit of the university.

Our Vision

To inspire giving and partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi by fostering UH pride and passion among donors, alumni and the community.

Our Mission

To unite donors' passions with the University of Hawaiʻi's aspirations by raising philanthropic support and managing private investments to benefit UH, the people of Hawaiʻi and our future generations.

Our Values

Our values shape our relationships and guide our thinking and actions. By living our values, we build trust with our fellow employees, our donors, the university and the broader community.

Position Summary :

The Director of Donor Relations will provide leadership, management, and strategic planning by building and sustaining a premier, comprehensive donor relations program to 1) strengthen donor commitment to the University of Hawai‘i (UH); 2) enhance existing and cultivate new relationships with donors, and; 3) collaborate with different departments across UH and University of Hawaiʻi Foundation (UHF) to fulfill the foundation's mission and goals and to increase donor retention. The Director will plan and execute donor outreach and communications, recognition, acknowledgements, and impact reports conveying philanthropic investments.

The Director will serve as liaison with senior leadership regarding donor gifts and developing stewardship plans for donors. This individual will collaborate closely with UH and UHF teams to maintain donor relations standards and donor-centric programming across all areas of the University system.

Key responsibilities include managing the Donor Relations team to ensure donors are thanked in appropriate, distinctive, visible, and memorable ways; informed about how their gifts are making an impact; and motivated to sustain or amplify their support.

The ideal candidate will be innovative and strategic, with a deep understanding of the hallmarks of excellent donor stewardship : showing appreciation for their gifts, building continuous relationships, learning about the unique interests of each donor, and creating opportunities that enhance the donor experience and increase engagement with the Foundation and University.

Duties & Responsibilities :

• Lead a successful centralized donor relations team whose department strategically targets all levels of giving and creates and utilizes communications tools that are relevant to how donors receive information.
• Serve as primary liaison and specialist to advancement personnel to provide cultivation and stewardship opportunities and products for donors and prospects.
• Work closely with Prospect Research, Gift Processing, Data Services and Information Systems departments to ensure timely acknowledgement of gifts and that donor records and data are up-to-date and available for reporting.
• Provide and present statistical analyses and reports to the UHF board and senior management in relation to donor information, as requested.
• Establish metrics-driven donor relations activity utilizing existing fundraising software.
• Provide direction and oversight in the planning and execution of donor recognition events in partnership with the Director of Special Events or other UH and UHF teams, as appropriate.
• Partner with Development Officers on custom donor stewardship, including naming opportunities, unique appreciation gifts, and major donor recognition.
• Work closely with the Vice President of Major Gifts, Vice President of Advancement Services, Offices of Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Estate and Gift Planning, and Scholarship Administration on stewardship and cultivation initiatives.
• Work closely with the Associate Vice President of Communications and External Relations on donor stories to communicate the university's accomplishments and develop high-profile communications translating the vision of executive leadership in print and digital publications including the Annual Report, Kupono magazine, etc.
• Work closely with Data Services and Information Systems departments to apply metrics and ensure CRM systems capture activity and display results of Donor Relations' initiatives and productivity.
• Perform other related work duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications :

• A minimum of seven years' experience, preferably in higher education (or a comparably complex organization), in development, stewardship, advancement services or related field. Previous experience interacting with donors is required.
• Broad-based knowledge and skills related to advancement and fundraising in higher education, a plus.
• Excellent organizational, time and project management, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and attention to detail.
• Strong knowledge of fundraising database management is required.
• The ability to create, execute and / or support, and oversee a comprehensive campus-wide donor acknowledgement and recognition plan, including advising on cultivation events and programs for the University's major donors.
• Proven skills and ability to manage multi-phase projects from inception to completion, including the ability to build consensus among team members and balance multiple concurrent priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
• Strong writing, copy editing, and analytical abilities with the ability to prepare reports and make effective and persuasive presentations to internal and external constituents.
• Able to work independently and take the initiative to accomplish tasks and objectives with a positive attitude, taking pride in approaching the work with intention and a growth mindset.
• Professional, self-starter, and team player.
• Highly organized, able to multi-task and work independently without need for day-to-day supervision of the responsibilities of the position.
• Ability to navigate high pressure, high stakes situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Discretion and sensitivity to confidential information.
• Must reflect and represent the Foundation's values which include teamwork, accountability, service, trust, integrity, and excellence.

Essential Functions :

• Ability to sit at a desk and use a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting of light office items up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to operate general office equipment such as computer, printer, photocopier, scanner, phone system, etc.
• Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to use office equipment and handle paperwork.
• Visual acuity to read printed and electronic documents and computer screens.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing so others will understand.
• Hearing and speaking abilities for in-person, phone, and video conversations.

Benefits :

UHF voluntarily pays 100% of the following –

• 10% 403(b) contributions after 7 months of employment. This is automatic and NOT dependent on the employee making any contributions. PLUS, ALL contributions are 100% immediately vested!
• Term life insurance
• AD&D insurance
• Short term disability insurance
• Long term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement after 1 year of employment
• Employee assistance program
• Generous PTO and paid holidays

UHF voluntarily provides the following in which the company and employees share the cost –

• Health, Prescription, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Free parking after 5 years of service

Other benefits available for employees to purchase –

• Medical Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Insurance coverages for spouse and / or children