Advancement Coordinator (HR title: Project Specialist)
Southern Methodist University Inc

Description

Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU:

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fund-raising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

The position reports to the Director of Development for Cox School of Business.

This position provides project management, writing for the Cox Today Magazine, thank you notes and for special projects such as the L. Frnak Pitts event, Mustang Mile, giving day and others.

The role will also collaborate with Cox marketing and social media as well as Marcom in DEA to write the one page specific to Cox. The Coordinator will be responsible for campaign stewardship and prepare presentations to the Vice President for DEA, Dean Cox School of Business and and Board of Directors.

The position will own projects with minimal oversight such as endowment reports, stewardship and giving day.

The position also provides donor communication, financial, administrative, research support for fundraising priorities of Cox School of Business. This position supports Cox School of Business and the fundraisers in Development and External Affairs.

Essential Functions:

• Project Management: Responsible for complete ownership of projects with minimal oversight. This includes endowment reports, stewardship and giving day. These projects are assigned by the DOD and the position takes on full ownership and partners cross-functionally to align Cox School of Business, DEA, schools and units resources with the University's priorities.
  
• Writing: Collaborate with Cox Marketing and Social Media as well as DEA MarCom. Responsible for supporting the DOD's development piece for the Cox Today Magazine, update the thank you notes for special projects (L. Frank Pitts event, Mustang Mile, Giving Day, and others). Work with DEA MarCom on one pagers specific to Cox and the creative writing team for final production.
  
• Campaign stewardship: Responsible for keeping the building deck updated and prepares for the Dean when he goes and speaks to groups. Create a stewardship newsletter for the building which will include ownership of the writing and distribution of the newsletter. The stewardship projects will leverage the most effective information to reach high-priority donors and prospects. These ideas will be presented to DOD, Vice President DEA, Dean Cox School of Business and Executive Board. Use the available information and research to inform the audience as well as editorial assets and vehicles to target this audience.
  
• Prospect management and stewardship - Enter donor prospect plans into the development prospect management system, assist with prospect research, and compile recipient information for annual endowment reports to donors. Also responsible for writing donor correspondence, gift acknowledgment letters, and write proposals to major prospects/donors on behalf of the Fundraisers.
  
• General Administrative Support - Submit travel expense reports, reconcilable budget monthly, process all expenditures and reimbursements, and track and process procurement card charges. Track donor gifts at all levels and review donor records to confirm accurate posting of donor gifts.
  
• Handle general office duties and administrative tasks independently, including various ongoing and assigned development-related projects. Examples include managing and updating calendars, scheduling and preparation for meetings, working closely with Constituent Records to manage constituent updates, handling large scale mailings, draft correspondence, complete gift transmittals, and communicate with Gift Administration to ensure proper handling of gifts and pledges.
  
• Report Management - Produce weekly gift and donor reports, including acknowledgment and interaction summaries. Regularly report on the budget and provide general office updates. Submit data requests regularly, with attention to detail on preparing the data for mailing lists, prospecting and funding opportunities.
  
• Other duties as assigned
  
• Position requires working evenings and weekends for occasional special events hosted by division
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required. Master's is preferred.

A minimum of two years of professional work experience is required, preferably managing projects.

Experience with endowment reports, stewardship and/or giving day, preferred. Experience in role with responsibility for written communications and administrative tasks in an office environment, desired.

Experience providing support in a high-profile administrative office or experience in an office that supports a high-level executive or senior management, is a plus.

Experience in a work environment with high face-to-face customer interactions is a desired. Work or volunteer experience in higher education, or a non-profit organization, is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong verbal and interpersonal communications skills to effectively interact with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Must also demonstrate a strong customer service orientation with the ability to exercise diplomacy and adherence to strict confidential standards. The ability to be flexible and adapt quickly to changing priorities and needs is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate strong written communication skills with ability to disseminate information into precise and effective written communications. Must also demonstrate a strong focus on attention to detail (with grammar/spelling, data, etc.).

Candidate must possess strong time management, organizational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced team environment. Must also demonstrate a high level of initiative on assignments, with the ability to work with minimal supervision and follow through with appropriate actions.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to be resourceful, proactive, and seek assistance as needed. Strong process and/or project management experience is essential.

Candidate must demonstrate high level of proficiency with Microsoft Office (particularly Outlook, Word, and Excel). Database experience with Blackbaud and/or FileMaker Pro preferred. PowerPoint or other graphic software is required.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

November 25, 2024

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by November 18, 2024.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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