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

Project Manager, Stewardship & Donor Relations, Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University. The Donor Relations & Stewardship team is seeking 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 cycles—financial and impact reporting—to support and enhance relationships with BU’s most engaged donors.
Read the overview of this opportunity to understand what skills, including and relevant soft skills and software package proficiencies, are required.
Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 various communication tools and vehicles including written information, meetings, presentations, and staff training.
• Occasional evenings and weekend work may be required.

• 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 engage professionally with a variety of stakeholders at all levels within and outside a university environment.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high-level stakeholders; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• 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 handle confidential information with discretion and maintain professionalism.
• Ability to anticipate problems and take action to 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.

• 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.

• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another.
• Strategic thinking, curiosity, and measurable results.
• Continuous growth and improvement, both individually and as a team.
• Joy and shared appreciation for working toward meaningful goals.

Salary: Boston, MA $92,500.00-$105,000.00

Location: Boston, MA

For more information 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, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or marital 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.