Development Specialist

University of Utah · Salt Lake City, UT · 1 mo ago

OTHRFull-time

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, the Development Specialist for the College of Fine Arts (CFA) is responsible for supporting the fundraising program of the college. As a member in the University Advancement function, the Development Specialist is expected to support and live out the Advancement division's Core Values of Collaboration, Belonging, Empowerment, and Integrity.

About the Role

The College of Fine Arts has a powerful vision: “A world where we harness the power of the arts to inspire us all to find our voices, fuel our passions, and ignite our futures.” The College is made up of five distinct but complimentary academic units; Department of Art & Art History, School of Dance, Department of Film & Media Arts, School of Music, and Department of Theatre. The work of the Advancement unit is to connect alumni, friends and donors with the special mission and vision of the college through philanthropic support.

Responsibilities

Administrative support for the College of Fine Arts Advancement team
Serve as the key contact with the CFA Dean's office, CFA Marketing & Communications team, and Central Advancement.
Support the College of Fine Arts frontline fundraising team
Maintain accurate constituent and gift records.
Help prepare and run reports for development officers, alumni engagement, and stewardship efforts.
Collect and organize donor visit and travel documentation, ensuring compliance with university and foundation expense guidelines.
Track, review, and reconcile expense reports and reimbursements in a timely and accurate manner in coordination with CFA business office and Advancement services.

Donor Relations

Execute a comprehensive donor relations program that supports the four pillars of donor relations.
Manage the design and production of donor acknowledgment letters.
Develop and maintain acknowledgment templates, segmentation strategies, and an annual calendar for acknowledgment delivery.
Coordinate the creation and tracking of annual endowment, scholarship and impact reports in partnership with CFA academic units and Central Advancement.
Collect financial, narrative, and visual content for reports to demonstrate the donor's impact.
Liaise with university scholarship administration teams to ensure CFA donors are appropriately matched, recognized, and informed of student impact.
Oversee and coordinate donor recognition activities.
Liaise with CFA and University event planners to execute donor-centric events, such as appreciation receptions, scholarship luncheons, and intimate cultivation gatherings.
Collaborate with CFA Marketing & Communications to create meaningful donor communications that foster connection and inspire continued support.
Work with the Advancement Services team to execute a best practices stewardship program that includes impact reporting, gift acknowledgement, and a high level of donor engagement.
Work on giving campaigns in alignment with the University-including Giving Tuesday, Giving Day, End of Year appeal etc, to help in the cultivation of new donors.
Work directly with CFA board members and volunteers.
Track and analyze donor engagement metrics and report on donor participation and satisfaction.
Work with other areas across campus to strategically steward and cultivate shared donors and prospects.

Other Duties As Assigned

Complete other duties assigned by the Senior Director of Advancement.

Able to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in fine arts, marketing, communication, public relations or a related area.
UCareers: 4 years of directly related work experience in philanthropy; or a master's (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience in philanthropy.
Possess knowledge and familiarity with the visual or performing arts, museums or other cultural organizations.
Strong human relations and excellent communication skills.
Able to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

Preferences

Experience with CRM database preferred.
Great organizational skills, a calm head and a great sense of humor are a plus.