Senior Development Associate

About the Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Assistant Director, VP Projects and Leadership Advancement (AD), the Senior Development Associate plays an integral role in managing and supporting the needs of the Vice President (VP), AD, and Principal Gift Officer (PGO). The Senior Development Associate is a critical member of University Advancement and serves as the primary liaison between the VP and high-profile major and principal gift prospects. In addition, they serve as the primary contact between the VP and the Office of the President, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Advancement, Office of the Vice President for Advancement Global Engagement, Office of the Vice President for Advancement Resources & Campaign Resources, and the Office of Alumni Relations.

The Senior Development Associate supports the VP’s work in efforts to fundraise on behalf of the university. As the direct provider of support to the VP, the Senior Development Associate executes a variety of responsibilities including the day-to-day scheduling and administrative needs of the VP, producing written and oral communication with university leaders, alumni, parents, students, donors, prospects, and community members on behalf of the VP, and organizing and planning meetings and small events on behalf of the VP. This includes setting and confirming appointments, developing comprehensive briefings that include biographical information, meeting logistics, and strategic objectives. The Senior Development Associate will manage the Salesforce database for the VP, conduct research, and independently prepare reports to be used by the VP in decision-making and reporting to the Senior Vice President for University Advancement.

The Senior Development Associate will also be responsible for event planning and management on behalf of the Vice President. They will handle all aspects of event logistics, develop leadership agendas and itineraries, and create briefings for the VP and other guests. They will oversee technical troubleshoot for virtual, hybrid, and in-person events.

This position requires strong interpersonal skills, the ability to listen, a service-oriented attitude, a strong work ethic, and the ability to tactfully communicate with individuals at all levels of the organization as well as external constituents. The individual must be self-motivated and detail oriented, able to manage workload independently, and prioritize and manage ongoing projects at the same time. Challenges include juggling multiple responsibilities in a busy environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree required; three to five (3-5) years of professional experience preferably in higher education and/or development.
• The university is seeking a highly motivated, entrepreneurial, energetic individual who can think independently and analytically and seeks to build a career in advancement and/or international affairs.
• Ability to manage and facilitate an intense workload and produce quality results in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to manage multiple priority projects at once with ease and efficiency.
• Must be proactive, anticipate problems, be resourceful and work effectively with colleagues and external constituents at all levels
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary for building relationships with external (donors, prospects, trustees) and internal (deans, faculty, staff, colleagues) constituents.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of and interest in international affairs; appreciation for and sensitivity to other cultures.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Highly collaborative in approach.
• Ability to exercise good judgment when dealing with confidential and sensitive material.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Power Point, and Excel.
• Proficiency in various social media platforms is a plus.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Administrative, Technical, and Troubleshooting Support

Manage calendars, coordinate schedules, update and sustain technology, and assist with troubleshooting for the VP, PGO, and AD. Plan and organize travel for the VP, including managing itineraries, briefings, reservations, and research.

Maintain expenses for the VP and reconcile reimbursements for VP, PGO, and all direct reports of the VP.

Plan and organize gatherings for the office of the VP, including pipeline meetings, Senior Team meetings, meeting minut