Donor Relations and Strategic Events Coordinator in Newark, Delaware at University of Delaware

The University of Delaware Library, Museums and Press inspires the intellectual, scholarly and creative achievement of our community. We are strongly committed to diversity within our community and fostering safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces and opportunities where everyone has an equal opportunity to learn, create, and grow. We welcome those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. We collaborate with strategic campus partners to achieve these priorities, as well as with national professional organizations.

The External Relations Specialist is responsible for leading donor stewardship, community engagement and strategic event initiatives that advance the mission and impact of the Library, Museums and Press. Reporting to the Director of External Relations, Communications and Development Initiatives, the Specialist is the first point of contact for community and external partners, develops and manages a Library, Museums and Press Engagement Council of alumni, donors, faculty, students and community members, and ensures consistent and thoughtful communications with donors and constituents.

The role balances strategic work including planning and leading donor, stewardship and division-wide strategic events with routine stewardship tasks such as sending acknowledgment letters, birthday, sympathy, get-well and congratulatory cards. The ideal candidate is highly organized, has excellent written and oral communication skills, and can work independently and collaboratively.

• Lead ongoing donor stewardship efforts, ensuring timely and meaningful acknowledgments of contributions. Perform routine stewardship tasks including preparing and sending acknowledgment letters, birthday, sympathy, get-well and congratulatory cards. Maintain accurate and confidential donor records in the University’s CRM tracking all interactions and communications
• Work independently to manage projects and routine stewardship tasks, collaborating the Director of External Relations and University partners on stewardship strategies and campaigns. Ensure colleagues across the Library, Museums and Press engage in consistent engagement practices.
• Lead the planning and execution of strategic events including donor cultivation and recognition gatherings, stewardship events and division-wide events with strategic objectives. Coordinate logistics, communications and partnerships for strategic events ensuring alignment with Library, Museums and Press priorities. Track outcomes and feedback from events to inform continuous improvement
• Serve as the primary liaison for community and external engagement inquiries representing the Library, Museums and Press to alumni, donors, community partners and the public. Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners and key constituencies to support the Library’s mission and initiatives
• Establish and manage a Library, Museums and Press Engagement Council including developing its charge, defining membership, recruiting participants and facilitating meetings and communications
• Assist with other development, engagement and external relations initiatives as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree and four years of experience in donor relations, community engagement, event management, development or advancement
• Demonstrated success in relationship-building, stewardship and event-based engagement in higher education, a cultural institution or nonprofit setting
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a variety of audiences
• Ability to balance strategic initiatives with routine stewardship tasks
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment
• Experience with CRM systems for donor tracking and reporting
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend events

Preferred
• Knowledge of University development, alumni relations or advancement operations
• Experience with community-based programming, public engagement or volunteer management
• Familiarity with library, museum or cultural heritage organization operations
• Understanding of University of Delaware policies and procedures