Relationship Manager

Job Title: Relationship Manager

Department: Scholarships & Programs

Reports To: Director, Program Management

FLSA Status: Exempt

Band: C1 – L2

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Relationship Manager is responsible for the administration of designated scholarship and endowed programs that are within the Scholarships and Programs Division, including interacting with donors, students, and institutional & interdepartmental staff to maintain and grow programs within the Manager’s portfolio. The Relationship Manager is also responsible for relationship building and maintenance with the desired result of program renewal, increases in funding opportunities and customer/donor engagement. Program administration may be based on the geographical location, gender, need, merit, and/or degree type for which the scholarship is awarded (i.e. Communications, Music, Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM), Social Sciences, etc.).

ABOUT UNCF

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Manage the daily operations of assigned undergraduate and graduate scholarship programs, including program planning, coordination, application administration, recipient selection, award processing, and fund disbursement.

Ensure scholarship programs are administered accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with program guidelines and UNCF policies and procedures.

Utilize Salesforce CRM to monitor program activities, analyze scholarship data, generate reports, and maintain accurate records to support program management and donor reporting.

Collaborate with Area and National Development staff, donors, and internal departments to implement and manage new and existing scholarship programs and institutional initiatives.

Monitor scholarship program budgets and financial activities, coordinating with UNCF Accounting to reconcile awards, verify available funds, resolve discrepancies, and obtain required financial reports.

Establish and maintain effective, positive relationships with enrollment management and financial aid administrators at UNCF's 36 member institutions and non-member institutions to facilitate timely and accurate student eligibility, enrollment, and financial verifications.

Coordinate with Development staff and UNCF Accounting to prepare and submit accurate, comprehensive, and timely annual scholarship program and financial reports to grantors.

Monitor and track renewable scholarship awards and disbursements to ensure funding commitments are fulfilled and appropriate award amounts are distributed each academic year.

Coordinate scholarship recipient selection processes, including organizing selection committee meetings and collaborating with grantors to ensure compliance with established selection criteria.

Provide timely, professional, and solutions-oriented responses to inquiries from students, donors, institutional representatives, and internal stakeholders, generally within 24–48 hours, while documenting communications, decisions, and follow-up actions in Salesforce CRM.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from a four-year college or university and 3-5 years of experience in program administration and/or management. Familiarity with higher education and the administrative and student campus culture at Historical Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) preferred. Understanding of the college admissions, financial aid and/or scholarship funding process also preferred.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Experience with Salesforce CRM desired, including reporting, and tracking program activities.

Strong technical and analytical skills, with the ability to generate data-driven reports and prepare comprehensive annual donor reports, business correspondence, and operating procedures.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple scholarship programs, projects, and competing priorities effectively while meeting established deadlines.

Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and respond effectively to questions from management, donors, institutional representatives, students, and other stakeholders.

Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex information, follow written and verbal instructions, identify discrepancies, and develop practical solutions.

Ability to monitor program budgets, track scholarship funding commitments and disbursements, reconcile financial and program data, and ensure accuracy in recordkeeping and reporting.

Strong interpersonal, customer service, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with donors, students, college and university administrators, and internal departments.

Demonstrated initiative, reliability, sound professional judgment, attention to detail, and accountability for delivering accurate, high-quality work within established timelines.

Excellent organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize responsibilities, work independently and collaboratively, and adapt to changing program needs.

Ability to Identify any administrative challenges, address operational issues, and recommend improvements to scholarship management processes, procedures, and systems to enhance efficiency and program effectiveness.

Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Benefits include:

Medical, Dental & Vision

Vacation, Sick & Personal Leave

Life Insurance (Basic & Optional)

Flex Spending Accounts

403(b) Retirement Account

Holiday Savings Plan

Annual Success Sharing

Salary Range: $63,000.00 To $70,000.00 per year (Salary is commensurate with experience.) This is a hybrid role: 4 days on-site and 1-day remote per week, located in UNCF’s Washington DC Headquarters building.

Background checks required.

UNCF is EOE M/F/D/V