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Director Donor Relations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

George Washington University

$82K - $136K/yr

The Donor Relations team provides a comprehensive, donor-focused program that enriches a donor ... Reporting to the Executive Director, Donor Relations, the Director, Donor Fund Compliance will ...

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Director Donor Relations information

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$36.5K

$75.6K

$110.5K

How much do director donor relations jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for director donor relations in the United States is $75,605.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $90,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Donor Relations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Donor Relations, you need expertise in fundraising strategy, donor stewardship, and relationship management, often supported by a degree in nonprofit management, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with donor management systems (like Raiser's Edge or Salesforce) and certification in fundraising (e.g., CFRE) are highly beneficial. Strong interpersonal communication, leadership, and strategic thinking skills set top candidates apart. These abilities are crucial for building long-term donor engagement, driving philanthropic support, and ensuring the organization’s fundraising success.

What does a Director of Donor Relations do?

A Director of Donor Relations is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage, steward, and retain donors for a nonprofit organization or institution. They oversee donor communications, recognition programs, and events to ensure donors feel valued and informed about the impact of their contributions. This role often involves collaborating with fundraising teams to enhance donor experiences and foster long-term relationships. By maintaining positive relationships, the Director of Donor Relations helps secure ongoing support for the organization’s mission.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Donor Relations, and how can they be addressed?

A Director of Donor Relations often faces the challenge of maintaining strong, personalized connections with a diverse donor base while managing multiple fundraising campaigns. Balancing relationship-building with administrative responsibilities requires excellent organizational and communication skills. Adopting donor management software, segmenting outreach strategies, and fostering close collaboration with development and communications teams can help address these challenges. Regularly analyzing donor feedback and campaign results also ensures continuous improvement in engagement and stewardship efforts.

What is the difference between Director Donor Relations vs Development Manager?

AspectDirector Donor RelationsDevelopment Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in fundraising or donor relationsBachelor's degree, experience in fundraising or donor relations
Work EnvironmentStrategic planning, high-level donor engagement, leadershipCampaign execution, donor outreach, event planning
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, educational institutions, healthcare organizationsNonprofits, educational institutions, healthcare organizations
Search & Comparison IntentHigh-level donor relations, leadership rolesFundraising, donor management roles

The main difference between a Director Donor Relations and a Development Manager lies in their scope and focus. The Director typically oversees strategic donor engagement and manages senior relationships, while the Development Manager handles day-to-day fundraising activities and donor outreach. Both roles require similar credentials and are common in nonprofit and educational sectors, but the Director position is more strategic and leadership-oriented.

More about Director Donor Relations jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Donor Relations jobs? Cities with the most Director Donor Relations job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Donor Relations jobs? The most popular types of Donor Relations jobs are:
What states have the most Director Donor Relations jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Donor Relations jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Donor Relations jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Donor Relations jobs are:
Director Donor Relations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Donor Relations job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $75,605 per year, or $36.3 per hour.
Assistant Director, Donor Relations

Assistant Director, Donor Relations

Radford University

Radford, VA • On-site

$62K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Radford University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

192nd of 537 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Assistant Director, Donor Relations
Job no: 55000450
Work type: Administrative & Professional Faculty
Location: Radford
Categories: Advancement
Title: Assistant Director, Donor Relations
Application Review Date: 5/26/26
Campus Location: Radford City - Main Campus
Job Description
The Assistant Director of Donor Relations is a professional leader within Advancement and Alumni Relations, responsible for advancing Radford University's culture of philanthropy through strategic stewardship leadership, disciplined data governance, and donor-centered engagement.
This position ensures philanthropic investments entrusted to Radford are acknowledged accurately, administered with integrity and recognized in alignment with donor intent and university policy. The Assistant Director provides subject-matter expertise in stewardship standards, advising development officers and campus partners on donor compliance and recognition protocols. Operating with a high degree of professional judgment, this role leads the development and implementation of stewardship standards and workflows across the division, mitigating institutional risk related to donor stewardship, compliance, and recognition accuracy while strengthening donor retention and engagement.
Reporting to the Sr. Director of Communications, Donor Relations and Special Events, this position supervises the Donor Relations & Stewardship Coordinator and works closely with other members of the team. The Assistant Director elevates stewardship from tactical execution to a structured, policy-aligned function grounded in accountability and consistency.
Required Qualifications
• Advanced degree from an accredited institution, or a bachelor's degree with experience that equates to an advanced degree.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in donor relations, stewardship, advancement operations or related field.
• Experience managing complex, deadline-driven projects.
• Experience with CRM systems (Raiser's Edge preferred).
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to interpret financial data and donor agreements accurately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in higher education advancement.
• Scholarship or endowment stewardship experience.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud Stewardship Management and Award Management.
• Experience collaborating with academic, athletic and auxiliary units.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please submit a cover letter and resume.
Is this position Grant Funded: No
Is this position restricted: No
Is this position eligible for telework: No
Hours Per Week: 40
Months per Year: 12
Statement of Economic Interest Required: Yes
FLSA Status: Exempt
Work Classification: Administrative & Professional Faculty
Normal Work Schedule:
Employee Classification: Professional - Lecturer
Department: Advancement
Salary: $62,736 - $75,000 (Commensurate with experience and qualifications)
Department Contact Name: Sharon Ratcliffe
Department Contact Phone: 5408316716
Department Contact Email: srratcliffe@radford.edu
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Radford University does not discriminate with regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, or political affiliation in the administration of its educational programs, activities, admission or employment practices.
Clery Statement
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, Radford University publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the university's policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years' of crime statistics for our campus. As a prospective employee, you are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at Radford.edu/police. You may also request a paper copy of the report from the Radford University Police Department located at 810 East Main Street PO Box 6883, Radford, VA, 24142.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
If you are an individual with a disability and desire accommodation in the application process please contact the hiring department.
Criminal Background Check Statement
Radford University is committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all employees, students, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of our hiring and screening process, we conduct criminal background checks in compliance with Virginia Code § 19.2-389 and other applicable state and federal laws. Successful candidates will be required to have a criminal background check.
Advertised: 05 May 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
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