Associate Director, Gift Administration

As Associate Director of Gift Administration and Compliance, you'll ensure the prudent acceptance and administration of philanthropic gifts while maintaining the highest standards of donor stewardship. Key responsibilities include preparing comprehensive gift agreements, managing scholarship stewardship initiatives, and overseeing capital recognition opportunities that honor our generous supporters.

Position Number: S99070

This position is a Grade: with an approximate salary range of $55,200 - $67,180 and is subject to change based on experience, skills and qualifications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Maintain gift documentation templates and processes to track drafts through review to execution, and prepare reports on activity for leadership.

• Assist with formal and informal training for development colleagues regarding gift documentation, requirements, and considerations.

• Draft and review gift agreements, execute conforming agreements, present exceptions for review, coordinate feedback and revisions, and manage the signature and distribution process.

• Collaborate with Gift Processing and university financial managers and beneficiaries to ensure proper processing of gifts and establishment of funds.

• Assist with a full designation audit to review the accuracy of gift information and unreasonable gift restrictions.

• Work with appropriate stakeholders to identify unspent funds and next steps to facilitate spending in a timely manner and initiate stewardship.

• Serve as liaison to the Financial Aid Office and gift officers regarding scholarship recipients and award information.

• Conduct outreach and collaborate with financial managers to effectively collect and share pertinent information about the use of funds to steward donors.

• Assist in the development, implementation, and maintenance of recognition standards and create naming/recognition agreements for significant philanthropic investments in facilities and infrastructure

• Maintain a robust and accurate inventory of all capital recognition opportunities, tracking progress and ensuring compliance with established naming conventions and donor preferences.

• Represent Donor Relations in discussions and working groups related to major capital campaigns and facility projects, advocating for effective donor recognition strategies.

• Manage monthly review of scheduled pledge reminders, obtaining feedback from gift officers, preparing personalized reminders as necessary, and coordinating the process with Gift Processing.

• Maintain working knowledge of necessary software and processes.

• Develop a network of peers at other institutions to gain insight and guidance on new and existing stewardship and donor relations best practices, particularly as they relate to scholarship and capital projects.

• Perform or assist with general stewardship processes, events, communications, and activities as requested.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Communications or Non-Profit Management

• Three to five years of related work experience

• Fundraising or paralegal certification preferred

• Demonstrated experience with scholarship fund management, including auditing and compliance.

• Proven experience in managing donor recognition for capital projects, including naming opportunities and plaque inventory.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy, and the ability to communicate complex information effectively.

• Proficiency in donor databases (e.g., Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, Salesforce CRM), Excel, and Google Suite, along with the ability to quickly master new applications.

• Excellent organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work accurately with attention to detail, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong understanding of philanthropic best practices, IRS regulations related to charitable giving, and gift agreement principles.

Lehigh University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate. We are committed to a culturally and intellectually diverse community and we seek qualified candidates to contribute to the university's mission. Lehigh University offers a comprehensive and family friendly benefits package which includes but is not limited to Health Care, Retirement and Educational benefits. Information can be found on our website.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing an accommodation for any part of the interview or hiring process may contact Lehigh's Accommodations Specialist.

• The duties of this position may allow the employee to work partially remote as deemed appropriate by their supervisor 

Successful completion of standard background checks including but not limited to: social security verification, education verification, national criminal background checks, motor vehicle checks, PATCH, FBI fingerprinting, Child Abuse Clearance and credit history based upon the requirements of the position.

Only complete applications will be considered therefore please complete the application in its entirety.  Once the posting is removed from the website applications may no longer be allowed to be completed.