Stewardship and Annual Giving Officer

Company: Washington & Jefferson College
Location: Washington
Posted on: February 19, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Summary The Donor Relations & Stewardship Manager provides strategic direction, oversight, and framework for best practices in donor relations with proficiency in tactical execution and coordination to ensure the university demonstrates accountability, gratitude, recognition, and responsiveness to its donors. This role reports directly to the Associate Vice President of Development. Duties and Responsibilities Develop new, innovative, and college-focused programs that promote donor engagement, recognition, and retention of top prospects and donors. Partner with major gifts and annual giving teams to provide and facilitate a first-class donor engagement and recognition program. Work closely with the Senior Director, Development & Alumni Engagement to create the annual giving strategy and calendar. Serve a key role in Annual Giving initiatives such as Day of Giving. Conceptualize, plan, and implement an integrated and comprehensive donor relations and stewardship program that appropriately and consistently promotes interaction and recognition of donors at all levels. This includes donor society membership, induction, and stewardship events. Communication of gift impact through scholarship reporting. Develop criteria for measuring stewardship and retention plan success and advises leadership towards ongoing progress. Responsible for the review and control of all gift acknowledgments, press releases, recipient lists for holders of chairs/professorships, endowed/annual named scholarship students, named facilities, spaces, and programs. Qualifications Bachelor's Degree required. Three or more years of donor relations experience in a comprehensive donor relations/stewardship program within higher education is required. Excellent oral and written communication skills are required. Must be able to work independently within a team and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve common goals for the donors of W&J. Be flexible, confident, professional, and enthusiastic. Be self-motivated with a high ethical standard. Must have computer literacy. Experience in ThankView and other platforms, preferred. Supervisory Duties This position does not require any supervisory duties. Disclaimer The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the position. Job Description Status The duties and responsibilities listed in this job description are illustrative ones anticipated for this position. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as required. Washington & Jefferson College reserves the right to amend or change this job description to meet the needs of its programs. This job description and any attachments do not constitute or represent a contract. Application Instructions Apply for this job at https://washjeff.applicantpro.com/jobs/. Please submit a cover letter and resume. It is recommended that all documents be in PDF format and uploaded at one time. Review of applications will begin immediately. Employee Benefits Washington & Jefferson College offers a comprehensive benefit package for benefit eligible employees; including health, vision, and dental coverage, group life insurance, AD&D and LTD coverage, retirement plan, generous leave time, and the tuition benefit programs. These benefits add significantly to the employee's total compensation package. Getting to Know W&J Washington & Jefferson College is the best of both worlds: a small-town college setting in historic Washington, Pa., with easy access to the bustling business and cultural districts of nearby Pittsburgh, Pa. just 30 miles to the north. Founded in 1781, W&J College is a private, residential liberal arts college that is focused on student success. Our dedicated, experienced professors are passionate about teaching and work closely with our students to ensure that they receive a quality, comprehensive education. For more than 200 years, our alumni have influenced change in business, politics, medicine, and the arts and sciences as CEOs, lawyers, doctors, researchers, writers, teachers, and in many other equally worthy professions. Celebrating Community Washington & Jefferson College welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs who wish to participate in a diverse educational community. The College strives to be a place where all students, faculty, administrators and employees are able to live, study and work in an atmosphere free from bias and harassment. The College encourages civil debate and lively exchange of ideas in the belief that such exchanges promote understanding that will grow beyond simple tolerance of difference to embracing and celebrating the richness of diversity. Our graduates acquire knowledge and learn skills that help them thrive in a culturally diverse world. Equal Opportunity Employer Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and provides equal opportunity in all educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. Job Posted by ApplicantPro

Keywords: Washington & Jefferson College, Akron , Stewardship and Annual Giving Officer, Administration, Clerical , Washington, Ohio