Director of Donor Engagement

Primary Purpose

The Director of Donor Engagement leads all aspects of individual donor strategy and cultivation at United Way of St. Johns & Putnam Counties. This role is responsible for building and deepening relationships with donors to drive revenue growth, with a strong focus on major gifts and monthly giving. The Director will design and implement a year-round engagement plan to steward current supporters while actively expanding the donor base through targeted outreach to prospective donors. In addition, the Director oversees the planning and execution of the Annual Givers Gala, and other events ensuring they are successful in fundraising, donor recognition, and community impact.

Essential Job Functions

Donor Relationship Management

• Establish, cultivate, and strengthen relationships with existing and prospective individual donors.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for high-value donors and monthly sustainers.

Donor Engagement Strategy

• Develop and implement a year-round donor engagement and stewardship plan.
• Segment donor base to tailor strategies for acquisition, cultivation, stewardship, and retention.
• Create and execute outreach strategies focused on growing larger-dollar gifts and monthly giving.

Revenue Growth

• Drive individual giving strategies to exceed annual revenue goals.
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit prospective donors to expand the donor base.
• Monitor progress toward fundraising goals and adjust strategies as needed.

Stewardship & Retention

• Design and execute stewardship activities to recognize and retain current donors.
• Ensure timely and personalized communication, acknowledgment, and impact reporting.

Collaboration & Integration

• Partner with Marketing/Communications to craft compelling donor-facing messaging and campaigns.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to maximize donor engagement opportunities.

Data & Reporting

• Track donor interactions, engagement, and giving trends in CRM systems.
• Prepare reports on donor pipeline, engagement activities, and revenue outcomes.

Community Presence

• Represent United Way at community events and networking opportunities to enhance visibility and donor connections.

Event Management

• Oversee the planning, management, and execution of our Givers Gala and other events ensuring a strong vision, wow factor, and a smooth operation. This includes:
  • Strategic event leadership
  • Sponsorship & revenue generation
  • Vendor & logistics management
  • Program & guest experience
  • Marketing & communications
  • Committee & volunteer engagement
  • Budget & reporting
  • Community & donor stewardship

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, communications, or related field in managing and elevating donor engagement and annual giving strategies
• Current non-profit fundraising experience
• To succeed in this position, you should have significant experience working in a fast-paced marketing environment, managing multiple deadlines.
• Work background in St Johns County and/or with other United Ways a plus

Attributes:

• Innovation and Creativity. Remain open to new ways of doing business. Recognizes and capitalizes on emerging opportunities. Flexible, adaptable, and open to change. Committed to continuous learning.
• Action Oriented/Results Driven. Demonstrate strong drive to achieve meaningful results and able to follow through on commitments. Anticipate and resolve problems effectively. Work on concurrent assignments.
• Effective Communication. Prepare clear, complete, and concise reports. Work effectively with donors and staff. Must maintain confidential information. Excellent interpersonal and relationship- building and written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic Relationship Management. Work to understand, relate to, and engage constituents to improve their experience with UW-SJPCs brand and generate more significant relationships with them. Develop and grow relationships to drive positive impact for the community on issues we have identified as important. Continually builds and expands the network of donors.
• Customer Oriented. Listens to the needs of our community, and the passion of the donor with an eye towards connecting them with our work. Identifies, engages with, adapts to, and influences various types of individuals and organizations.
• Cultural Competency. Able to understand, communicate, and interact effectively with people across cultures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The candidate should be able to show the ability to work in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment with a high adaptability to change. Ability to attend some United Way events during evenings and weekends. Communicate with staff, volunteers, donors, agencies, companies and other customers by telephone, email, and in face-to-face, one-to-one or group settings. Use telephone, laptop, computer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer/copier, calculator and standard office equipment. Sit at a desk for extended periods of time. Lift and move objects up to 10 pounds such as large binders, boxes, books and small office equipment. Have sufficient finger/hand coordination and dexterity to operate and adjust office equipment such as telephone, computer, printer/copier and calculator.