Gift Specialist (HR Title: Advancement Records Specialist I)

About the role

This role is an on-campus, in-person position within SMU’s Development and External Affairs (DEA) department. The Gift Specialist processes charitable contributions to the University in a timely manner, ensuring compliance with SMU policies, IRS regulations, and FASB guidelines. They handle gift processing, maintain constituent data, and provide stellar customer service.

Responsibilities

• Process and enter gifts, pledges, and transactional information into the University's donor database from various sources and payment methods.
• Complete tasks associated with electronically batched gift entry to ensure timely charitable receipts and donor stewardship, including appropriate biographical and demographic information.
• Analyze gift documentation to determine legal donor, gift category, appropriate fund, and gift eligibility.
• Work with gift officers to coordinate donor information and intent.
• Verify and update biographical information in donor database from a multitude of sources; scan and link revenue documentation into imaging system; maintain accurate constituent gift biographical history records through research and corrections.
• Perform documented steps to record complex transactions such as pledges, planned gifts, in-kind and stock gifts, pre-deposit and matching payment transactions.
• Sort and group gifts received by mail and in person following intake best practices; manage processes such as pledge payment reminders, tax receipts, recurring gifts & automated pledge payments.
• Make informed decisions about proper entry, allocation, & documentation of University donations.
• Communicate with internal & external stakeholders as needed & staff department email/phone "Help" lines.
• Occasional overtime work may be required during peak times.

Requirements

• A High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• A Bachelor's degree is preferred.
• A minimum of one (1) year of full-time work experience in data entry is required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies.
• Demonstrated experience in a customer service environment with diplomacy and professionalism and the ability to work with people with varying technical skills is essential.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions.
• Strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Intermediate skill level in using Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Experience with relational database and/or donor management software such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge or SunGard Advance is preferred.
• Knowledge of fundraising terminology and best practices/business rules is preferred.
• Knowledge of donor database/Blackbaud CRM, IRS charitable guidelines and CASE standards desired.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Strong written communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational, planning and time management skills.
• Intermediate skill level in using Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Experience with relational database and/or donor management software such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge or SunGard Advance.
• Knowledge of fundraising terminology and best practices/business rules.
• Knowledge of donor database/Blackbaud CRM, IRS charitable guidelines and CASE standards.

Benefits

SMU offers a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision plans, wellness programs, tuition benefits, and a wide range of retirement programs. Employees also have access to professional and personal development opportunities.

Pay

The hourly range for this position is $23.08 per hour.

Schedule

This role is a regular shift position.