PROJECT MANAGER, STEWARDSHIP & DONOR RELATIONS, Development & Alumni Relations

Project Manager, Stewardship & Donor Relations, Development & Alumni Relations

Our Mission

We in Boston University Advancement harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU's global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have builtand are continuing to buildan outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it's not just about a job, but a career and a community.

Now, our Donor Relations & Stewardship team is looking for a Project Manager who will serve as the operational and strategic lead for the coordination and delivery of the team's two most important reporting cyclesfinancial and impact reportingwhich directly support and enhance relationships with BU's most engaged and generous donors.

Donor Relations & Stewardship at Boston University

The central Donor Relations & Stewardship team is responsible for the design and implementation of a strategic and integrated donor relations program for past and current donors to enhance their relationships with the University. Through collaboration with their Development & Alumni Relations colleagues, and various offices across the University, the team creates meaningful communications and opportunities to express Boston University's gratitude to its constituents and demonstrate the impact of their philanthropy.

Project Manager

Reporting to the Director of Stewardship & Donor Communications, the Stewardship Project Manager is a critical member of Boston University's central Stewardship & Donor Relations team within Advancement. The Stewardship Project Manager drives complex, multi-stakeholder, multi-phase project workflows that directly impact Advancement goals. In collaboration with colleagues across Advancement and schools/colleges/units, this position ensures stewardship communications meet high-quality and timing standards and align with donor expectations. Their ability to identify opportunities, implement improvements, and align project work with operational goals is essential to fostering donor trust and institutional advancement.

The ideal candidate will bring advanced project management skills, data acumen, strong attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent workflows. They must be proficient in using content and project management tools, possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, and demonstrate emotional intelligence to build effective working relationships. By combining logistical oversight with collaborative content development, the Stewardship Project Manager plays a key role in delivering meaningful donor reports that reinforce the value and impact of giving.

This is an exciting time to join a growing and evolving Advancement team that values teamwork, transparency, mutual respect, strategic thinking, continuous improvement, and joy. The ideal candidate brings a strong sense of ownership, curiosity, and a collaborative spirit, and enjoys building relationships and bringing structure to evolving processes. A good sense of humor and appreciation for shared team culture is also highly valued.

Essential Functions:

Project Management Impact and Financial Reporting

• Lead full-cycle project management for the annual stewardship reporting calendar (financial in winter, impact in spring), manage timelines, workflows, and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive dynamic project schedules to support on-time and high-quality delivery for both standardized and customized donor reports.
• Coordinate with stakeholders across schools/colleges/units and Advancement departments to gather and verify donor-specific data and stories.
• Identify risks, remove barriers and bottlenecks, and adapt timelines and deliverables based on changing needs and complexity of donor portfolios.
• Ensure quality control processes are applied to content and production workflows to uphold stewardship standards and brand alignment.

Donor Communications & Student Engagement

• Collaborate with content creators and fund stewards to develop compelling donor-focused narratives and impact stories.
• Provide editorial and project support for student profiles, scholarship letters, and other engagement pieces that support donor recognition and retention.
• Manage key stewardship communications, including email inbox triage and donor responses, in coordination with frontline fundraisers.
• Track and enhance user experience within donor-facing platforms, including digital report delivery systems.
• Serve as a resource and support contact for report updates and donor engagement content.

Process Optimization & Team Enablement

• Identify and implement process improvements and best practices in project tracking, reporting workflows, and content collaboration.
• Contribute to team-wide knowledge sharing, documentation, and process guides to ensure continuity and scalability.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Support additional stewardship initiatives and special projects as determined by department leadership and organizational priorities.
• Educate and train colleagues on policies and best practices through a variety of communication tools and vehicles including written information, meetings, presentations, and staff training.

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in project management, donor relations/stewardship, development, marketing/communications, or similar fields.
• Demonstrated success managing complex projects with cross-functional teams and tight deadlines.
• Advanced organizational and time management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Exemplary communications skills and the ability to deal effectively and professionally with a variety of persons at all levels of management within and external to a university environment.
• Capacity to work in a fast-paced environment involving high-level stakeholders; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• Exhibit a curiosity for streamlining processes using technology to improve outcomes and accuracy.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Trello) and CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud, or equivalent).
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion and maintain a high level of professionalism.
• Ability to anticipate problems and take necessary action to eliminate or mitigate potential negative effects.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Evening and weekend work may be required on occasion.

Preferred:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent training.
• Experience with donor communications, stewardship, or alumni relations.
• Experience managing program budgets or financial reconciliation.
• Ability to analyze metrics and recommend process improvements using donor data.
• Familiarity with higher education or nonprofit fundraising environments.
• Experience with digital asset management systems, design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite), or web content delivery tools.
• Enthusiasm for change and growth.

But that's not all we're looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member's contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement, both as individuals and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter.

If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaignand maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professionalwe encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well.

To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please visit the DAR Talent website.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796.