Development Assistant, International Development and Operations

About the role

The International Development office, within University Strategic Philanthropy and Partnerships in Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Pennsylvania, is responsible for maximizing philanthropic support for priorities across the University and overseeing leadership engagement from Penn’s alumni, parents, and friends residing outside the United States. The office also manages two international foundations and three global leadership fundraising committees to facilitate further giving and engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day administrative support for AVP including but not limited to: calendar management, coordinating complex travel arrangements, reimbursements, research, database updates, and other correspondence.
• Provide frontline customer service on behalf of AVP and team, including answering phones, responding to emails, and greeting visitors.
• Provide timely answers to alumni and donor inquiries.
• Maintain file organization system for physical and digital files.
• Support planning and set-up of internal meetings and events, including agendas, talking points, and presentations.
• Manage international mailings, shipping, customs forms on behalf of the team.
• Complete all Concur travel expense reports on behalf of AVP and frontline fundraisers.
• As the team BEN Financials user, pay all invoices, create purchase orders, and collaborate with DAR Finance on payment management as needed.
• Manage international gift support, including liaising with Gifts and Accounts Administration on all aspects of international gift transactions, recording, receipting, and reconciliation.
• Track and update the giving pipeline for the International Development team in DAR CRM software.
• Support the team with international travel to include, but not limited to: assisting with transit and accommodation arrangements, expense reimbursements, providing immediate support if travel issues arise, or assistance with obtaining visas for staff travel.
• Update DAR events calendar with all International Development events.
• Assist with maintaining integrity of international data in database.
• Support the Program Coordinator in creating briefing materials for individual meetings with senior leadership.
• Support the Program Coordinator with event management and logistics as needed.
• Observe and maintain confidentiality of all privileged information.

Qualifications

• A High School Grad/GE Degree and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
• Knowledge of higher education and/or not-for-profit sectors desirable.
• International experience preferred, including living, working, and/or studying abroad.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse international constituent groups.
• Sensitivity to the cultural values of Penn’s diverse international community and ability to work effectively across languages, time zones, customs, national holidays, and currencies.
• Must be able to exercise judgment, tact, and diplomacy in the performance of duties, and will know when to seek help in unfamiliar situations.
• Ability to function with a high degree of independence in carrying out the responsibilities of the job.
• High degree of competency with computer software programs including database management skills, Microsoft Office Suite, and internet research.
• Capacity to learn and apply new technologies and processes as needed.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Occasional evening and/or weekend work required.