Director of Donor Experience

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of Advancement Services, the Director of Donor Experience is responsible for leading donor engagement, stewardship, and relationship-building strategies that support the YMCA's philanthropic goals. This role partners across the Association to strengthen donor relationships, enhance philanthropic engagement, and foster a culture of philanthropy that advances the YMCA's mission and community impact.

The position directly supports the Association's mission by strengthening philanthropic engagement and donor relationships that help ensure equitable access to programs and services for all members of our community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Donor Engagement

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive donor experience and stewardship strategy that supports annual, major, capital, endowment, and planned giving donors while strengthening relationships, increasing donor retention, and advancing philanthropic growth.
• Design and implement donor engagement, stewardship, and cultivation strategies that create meaningful donor experiences, deepen connections to the YMCA's mission, and support long-term philanthropic investment.
• Lead Association-wide philanthropic engagement initiatives, including Day of Giving and other campaigns that increase awareness, participation, and support for philanthropic priorities.
• Develop and implement strategies that strengthen a culture of philanthropy among staff, volunteers, board members, donors, and community stakeholders.

Donor Communications

• Lead the development and execution of donor-centered communications, impact reports, stewardship materials, newsletters, digital campaigns, videos, fundraising collateral, case statements, and related engagement content that demonstrates the impact of philanthropic support and advances fundraising priorities.
• Partner with Marketing & Communications, Advancement Services, and fundraising staff to ensure consistent messaging, brand standards, donor-focused storytelling, and stewardship practices across all philanthropic communications and engagement efforts.
• Collect, analyze, and communicate organizational impact information and donor engagement insights that support stewardship effectiveness, donor retention, and fundraising strategy.

Organizational Partnership

• Partner with frontline fundraisers to develop and execute individualized donor cultivation, solicitation, engagement, and stewardship plans for key donors and prospects.
• Provide leadership for Association-wide moves management processes, including facilitating donor strategy discussions, pipeline reviews, accountability measures, and coordinated engagement plans that strengthen fundraising outcomes and donor relationships.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services, Prospect Research, Grants, Marketing & Communications, and frontline fundraising staff to ensure coordinated donor engagement strategies and a seamless donor experience across all fundraising programs.
• Exercise independent judgment in identifying opportunities, prioritizing initiatives, recommending engagement strategies, and implementing process improvements that enhance donor relationships and philanthropic results.

Stewardship Operations

• Serve as project lead for key donor, fundraising, stewardship, and recognition events, overseeing planning, stakeholder coordination, volunteer engagement, sponsorship fulfillment, logistics, and event execution.
• Coordinate volunteer, sponsor, donor, and community partner engagement opportunities that strengthen philanthropic relationships and awareness of YMCA impact.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services to support donor data integrity, stewardship execution, and consistent donor experiences across all fundraising programs while maintaining working knowledge of fundraising systems and procedures to ensure continuity of operations.
• Provide backup support for Advancement Services functions, including gift and payment processing, acknowledgments, and routine reporting as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

• Completion of all required annual trainings related to safety, compliance, and child protection as assigned.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in related field preferred and 1+ years of related experience.
• Experience developing donor-centered communications, stewardship initiatives, engagement campaigns, and fundraising-related events.
• Demonstrated commitment to building community and fostering meaningful relationships through mission driven work and cross department collaboration.
• Experience supporting organizational initiatives and staff development within a team based, service oriented environment.
• Ability to coordinate projects, workflows, and schedules effectively in a dynamic setting.
• Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, and public-facing interactions.
• Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, strong organizational and time-management skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders while managing multiple priorities and maintaining confidentiality.
• Builds inclusive, mission-driven relationships with youth, families, donors, volunteers, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred, but not required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work environment and physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device.   
• The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment.  
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.  
• The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal to moderate.  
• Must be able to provide valid identification for employment eligibility verification.   
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.   
• A clean driving record is required to meet YMCA insurance standards.   
• Travel between branch locations or to off-site meetings and events may be required.   
• Must reside in the YMCA of the Triangle service area (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill and surrounding areas). 

• This position follows a hybrid working schedule, typically three days in person at the designated base location and two days remote each week, with the flexibility to work at branches and programs across the YMCA of the Triangle as needed. To work remotely, team members must maintaina dedicated, quiet, distraction-free workspace with reliable, high-speed internet and fully accessible during standard business hours.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.  

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time exempt position with a salary starting at $43,888, commensurate with experience and qualifications. The YMCA of the Triangle offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off; an annual YMCA membership; and participation in the YMCA Retirement Fund, including a 12% employer contribution once eligibility requirements are met.