Position Description:
Reporting to the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations, the Development Associate at Union Theological Seminary (Union) is a key member of Annual Giving activities and manages a variety of administrative tasks in support of frontline fundraising, alumni activities and volunteer engagement efforts. The Development Associate also provides general administrative support for Union’s entire fundraising team, which includes a Vice President, Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations, Director of Institutional Partnerships, and Director of Research and Analytics. During the academic year, the team also includes part-time work study students.
Responsibilities:
• Play a leading role in managing the logistics related to the Annual Appeal and Union’s annual Day of Giving (1836 Day), with a focus on increasing donor acquisition and retention. Work with the Senior Director of Development and Alumni Relations to create strategies to engage younger alumni.
• Assist with Alumni outreach events, including correspondence and activities with the Alumni Council, the biannual newsletter, regional gatherings and periodic Class/School Reunions.
• Arrange and provide staff support for frontline team meetings, including scheduling, preparation of meeting agendas, note-taking, and oversight of follow-up activities.
•Collaborate with staff in the Office of the President to engage the President in fundraising activities and in support of the Board’s Development Committee meetings and other outreach.
• Working in partnership with the Director of Research and Analytics, ensure timely recording of donor related activity, updated contact information, and other background information in the advancement database.
• Develop expertise in Raiser’s Edge CRM, including accessing associated fundraising reports and tools to assist with timely requests for information.
• In consultation with frontline fundraisers, plan, coordinate, and help execute prospect/donor visits and events, both on and off campus.
• Draft donor briefing materials and reports for visits by fundraisers, the President, and participating Trustees.
• Assist with general administrative duties for the team, including arranging travel arrangements, preparation of travel itineraries, briefing books, and shipping any necessary meeting or event materials. Complete travel reimbursements in a timely and accurate manner
• May help supervise work-study student(s) who support the administrative and operational needs of the team.
• Actively contribute to a team environment that fosters and promotes a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice at Union.
Qualifications:
• Prior Development experience preferred. This is an early career position, not entry level.
Commitment to the mission, vision and values of Union Theological Seminary.
• Experience that includes office admin duties, event planning, customer service and data management.
• Must communicate effectively with external audiences and work collaboratively with members of the Development and Alumni Relations team and other colleagues across the organization.
• Self-motivated and proactive problem solver who is able to learn quickly and work independently.
• Organizational and time management skills to perform multiple, simultaneous tasks and assignments efficiently in a fast-paced work environment
• Demonstrated skill at responding effectively to changing priorities, and communicating with Union staff, students, alums, and donors.
• Proven attention to detail and ability to perform consistently and with a high degree of accuracy and consistent follow through.
• Ability to take initiative and solve problems independently while understanding when to seek guidance from manager or others.
• Experience communicating clearly and succinctly, both in verbal and written communications.
• Experience in providing prompt, courteous, and skillful customer service to maintain good relations with the general public, alumni, donors, prospective students, faculty, and/or colleagues.
• Exhibits professional integrity, tact, discretion, and sound judgment, including in handling confidential information.
• Must be very comfortable working in a highly computerized environment including database management, foundation research software, CRM software, Internet research, Power Point, Excel, e-mail, and other online office tools. Graphic design experience a major plus.
• Performs other duties and projects, as assigned by the Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs or by the Office of the President.
Location: Morningside Heights, New York City
Salary: The salary for this position is $80,000. Union offers a comprehensive employee benefits program, including contributions to medical, dental, and vision insurance plans, as well as an employer contribution to a TIAA retirement plan account. This is a full-time position. Some evening work may be required for events.
