Director of Donor Relations and Special Events

About McDaniel College:

McDaniel College is a four-year, independent college of the liberal arts and sciences offering over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. One of the original "Colleges That Change Lives," McDaniel emphasizes experiential learning and student-faculty collaboration to develop the unique potential in every student. Represented by the Green Terror, over 20 athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference. A student-centered community of 1,600 undergraduates and 1,400 graduate students offers access to both Baltimore and Washington, D.C., plus a European campus in Budapest, Hungary.

This position has a budgeted hiring rate of $95,000. The position is classified as an A5. The A5 salary band for all full-time, 12-month positions at the college with this classification have a minimum rate of $60,000 and a maximum rate of $135,000. The actual schedule for exempt positions may vary based on the workload and responsibilities assigned.

At McDaniel College we value our employees by offering our full-time employees tuition remission, 403B retirement accounts, paid time off, medical insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and paid maternity and parental leave. For more information about the college's benefits, please click here to review the 2026 benefits guidebook and click here to view 2026 premium rates.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement that oversees development and donor relations, the Director of Donor Relations provides strategic leadership to strengthen relationships of the college with its donors. The position oversees and manages the donor stewardship program designed to complement the efforts of the President, Vice President for Institutional Advancement (VPIA), Executive Vice President for Constituent Engagement (EVPCE), the Senior Associate Vice Presidents for Institutional Advancement and the Associate Vice President/Director of Development (AVP) and the development staff to cultivate and engage annual, major and planned giving prospects and donors including the Board of Trustees.

The position also leads processes to appropriately steward gifts from annual, major and planned giving donors. The Director creates and manages high-end, personalized donor stewardship events. Within the constituent engagement model under the leadership of the executive vice president of constituent engagement, the director of donor relations identifies and implements cross-divisional strategies to connect with donors and other constituent groups in innovative and meaningful ways. This position serves as a strategic leader responsible for developing, planning, and executing donor visit experiences. This role is central to shaping how donor and VIPs engage with McDaniel, ensuring every touchpoint is thoughtful, impactful, and aligned with development goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Specific Responsibilities

• Plans, implements and analyzes the overall college donor relations plan. This includes campaign stewardship-related activities, events, and communications and cross-divisional and cross-constituent planning.
• Creates and implements donor stewardship events in collaboration with the Office of Communications and Marketing, development office, constituent engagement office, and Office of Public Relations. This includes the Founders Society Celebration, Scholarship Luncheon, and the Legacy Society event during Alumni Weekend.
• Leads the college's donor relations and stewardship program, overseeing gift recognition societies, donor acknowledgements, stewardship requirements, and recognition for major, legacy, and leadership donors.
• Manages high-level donor engagement initiatives, including donor events, recognition programs, naming opportunities, and personalized stewardship plans and materials. Collaborates with gift officers, academic and administrative leadership, Advancement Services, Marketing and Communications, and the President's Office to strengthen donor relationships, communicate philanthropic impact, and ensure compliance with gift agreements.
• Oversees donor relations communications, reporting, budgeting, metrics, technology tools, and fund stewardship activities, while maintaining a portfolio of key donors and providing strategic guidance for capital campaigns, donor recognition, and constituent engagement initiatives.
• Supports executive leadership through stewardship reporting, event planning, donor outreach recommendations, and special projects.

Special Event Planning and Management

• Provides high-level strategic planning and logistical oversight to ensure seamless event preparation, communication and execution that reflects McDaniel's brand, values, and development goals.
• Develops the suite of in-person and virtual events and creates event-specific game plans, including the vision for event schedule, spaces, rentals, set-ups, catering, presenters, campus partners and staffing needs.
• Responsible for budget planning and managing of venue, space reservations, equipment, and facilities for assigned, specific events. Examples include the Alumni Awards Banquet, Presidential Tailgates and Presidential Luncheon.
• Serves as a key partner in cross-divisional planning efforts, ensuring events are collaborative and aligned across the division and the institution.
• Supervises the Event and Communication Specialist and manages all aspects of staff leadership, including recruitment, performance management, work delegation, employee development, disciplinary actions, and timesheet approval. Fosters a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive workplace culture aligned with the college's First Principles and ensures compliance with institutional policies by promptly reporting potential violations involving discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Five years of related experience in the non-profit industry, event planning or higher education preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to define donor relations goals and objectives, implement best practices, identify donor audiences, and develop market-segmented donor relations plans to meet the goals.
• Scrupulous accuracy and attention to detail, as well as the ability to exercise sound judgment, following established protocols and procedures.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to create and implement policies and procedures and complete projects and initiatives within the constituent engagement model.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Well-developed interpersonal and writing skills.
• Must possess tact, diplomacy, maturity, and discretion in handling highly confidential matters.
• Excellent computer skills including database management experience; experience with Microsoft Office and donor software system preferred.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends to support programming and events as required.
• Working knowledge of how Artificial Intelligence can be used in donor stewardship preferred.

Additional Information:

McDaniel College, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected status including protective hairstyle, race, religion, color, ancestry or national origin, disability, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status, or any other actual or perceived legally protected characteristics.

Application Instructions:

To Apply

For a complete job description including essential responsibilities and to apply, please visit the college's employment webpage. Completed applications must include a cover letter addressing position qualifications and related experience, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will be open until filled.

Please click the Apply Now button below to begin your application.