Stewardship Officer, Donor Recognition

Job Description

Do you possess an eye for meticulous detail, a talent for visual design, and a drive to connect philanthropic generosity with the physical transformation of world-class healthcare and biomedical research? Do you find inspiration in seeing the concrete, tangible outcomes of your work come to life in buildings, clinics, and laboratories that serve patients, learners, and pioneering faculty?

The Office of University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) - one of the nation's premier academic medical centers and health sciences institutions-is seeking a collaborative, creative, and detail-driven Stewardship Officer, Donor Recognition. Reporting directly to the Senior Associate Director of Donor Recognition and Data Systems within the Advancement Communications unit, you will play an essential role in advancing campus-wide donor recognition and capital campaign initiatives. Operating with autonomy and creative initiative, you will partner cross-functionally with frontline fundraisers, the University Architect, UCSF Real Estate, capital project managers, and campus wayfinding committees to develop compelling naming proposals, manage physical signage fabrication and installation, and steward philanthropic partners across all UCSF campuses.

Why This Role Is Unique

• Tangible Impact on Capital Transformation: Directly shape how donors experience UCSF's multi-million dollar capital expansion projects, translating complex architectural blueprints and renderings into inspiring physical spaces and personalized recognition opportunities.
• Campus-Wide Influence & Cross-Functional Breadth: Serve as a subject matter expert on donor recognition, collaborating with University Architects, UCSF Real Estate, hospital leadership, facilities engineers, and the executive leadership of the university (including the Chancellor, Deans, and Vice Chancellor).
• Creative Design Meets Strategic Project Management: Blend high-level graphic design and narrative proposal writing in Adobe Creative Suite with rigorous end-to-end project management, overseeing signage fabrication, budget oversight, vendor contracting, and on-site physical installation.
• Comprehensive Multi-Campus Stewardship Scope: Manage the full lifecycle of donor recognition physical assets and master data across all UCSF locations-including Parnassus Heights, Mission Bay, Mount Zion, and Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland-ensuring lasting alignment with donor intent and university gift agreements.
• Collaborative Advancement Communications Team: Join an innovative, high-performing team within UDAR at UCSF's 2001 The Embarcadero location, working in a flexible hybrid environment that celebrates initiative, inclusion, and professional growth.

Desired Mindset & Competencies

• Visual Storytelling & Design Excellence: High proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) and visual layout, with the creative capability to interpret architectural plans and convey future clinical and scientific spaces in compelling, donor-ready materials.
• Rigorous Project Management & Asset Governance: Demonstrated ability to manage complex, concurrent project timelines from concept to physical execution, coordinating contractors and facilities partners while maintaining meticulously audited data records in CRM and project management systems.
• Diplomacy & Stakeholder Alignment: Strong political acumen and relationship-building skills to navigate complex institutional environments, balance clinical sensitivities with donor expectations, and foster productive partnerships across academic, administrative, and clinical departments.

Department Overview

At UCSF's Office of University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR), we're proud to be the kind of place where great ideas can come from anyone, and you can do the most impactful work of your career alongside fantastic colleagues. From our pioneering work in the AIDS crisis to the creation of a silicon brain, you will experience the world-class nature of our work and the difference it makes.

UDAR is a team of innovative professionals who partner with world-class scientists, healthcare providers, and philanthropists to advance breakthrough research and life-changing patient care. We're one of the nation's top fundraising organizations, home to smart, driven people who care deeply about UCSF's mission to advance science and transform health.

Our success comes from the combined talents of many roles: frontline fundraisers who build transformative partnerships with donors; alumni relations professionals who nurture lasting connections with the UCSF community; writers and designers who help tell the university's story; researchers and analysts who provide critical insights; and operations and information systems experts who keep us running smoothly.

What makes UDAR special? A commitment to growing talent from within, celebrating collective wins, and creating an environment where our staff thrive. Our culture of team-based fundraising is distinctly collaborative and we're always eager to embrace fresh approaches.

Regardless of your role at UCSF you'll be part of a unified team operating at the very top of its game.

Read more about UCSF here https://magazine.ucsf.edu/

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Req / Pref Bachelor's degree in communications, graphic design, project management, English, marketing, or a related discipline, and / or equivalent experience / training. Req Minimum 2 to 5 years of professional experience as an active member of a communications, visual design, or project management team. Req Prior professional experience as a member of a Donor Relations, Stewardship, or Advancement team within a major university, academic medical center, or complex charitable institution. Req Proficient, hands-on expertise with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro) for graphic design, document layout, and photo manipulation. Req Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for business communications, reporting, and data analysis. Req Demonstrated working knowledge of relational database software and CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, Advance), including data entry, maintenance, query execution, and reporting. Req Demonstrated proficiency in English grammar, punctuation, spelling, copy editing, and proofreading, with excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills. Req Proven project management expertise, including the ability to independently set, negotiate, and execute priorities under tight deadlines in a multi-stakeholder environment with minimal supervision. Req Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem recognition, and consensus-building skills to resolve operational obstacles and facilitate collaborative solutions. Req Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality, handle sensitive donor information with discretion, and adhere to information privacy policies. Req Working knowledge of fundraising, donor stewardship, moves management, capital campaign naming practices, and public relations concepts and techniques. Pref Working knowledge of UCSF and/or academic medical center infrastructure, clinical mission, research institutes, campus policies, and capital programs. Pref Experience reading and interpreting architectural floor plans, blueprints, finish schedules, and construction renderings. Pref Familiarity with enterprise workflow and distribution platforms such as Workfront, Paperflite, Tableau, and cloud collaboration suites (Box, Slack, MS Teams). Pref Bachelor's degree in related area (Communications, Graphic Design, Marketing, Humanities, Business) and / or equivalent professional experience / training. Req