Senior/Development Coordinator

About the Role

The Senior/Development Coordinator works directly with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) colleagues to achieve Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) fundraising and engagement goals by performing a wide variety of administrative, logistical, operational, and technical tasks for designated colleges, schools, and units (CSU). The role serves as the central point of contact for responding to constituent inquiries, anticipating volunteer and donor needs for information, and leveraging university resources for the VCU School of the Arts (VCUarts) fundraising team, which focuses on generating support for all arts programs, including the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA).

The School of the Arts development team has the unique opportunity to make final determinations of duties, working title, and salary based on the knowledge, skills, and experience of the candidate pool.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for administrative needs, including but not limited to, managing calendars, planning travel and donor visit itineraries, conducting and compiling preliminary research for proposals and other projects, drafting letters and briefs, maintaining documentation, providing fiscal/budget support, and project management.
• Provide timely and accurate travel, purchasing, and reimbursement assistance for fundraising staff.
• Coordinate, implement, and track donor acknowledgment processes by drafting personal and detailed acknowledgment letters and other special correspondence as needed.
• Assist with the logistical details of event planning, including out-of-town events and tours, that support fundraising and alumni engagement for VCUarts and the ICA, such as dinners, tours, receptions, and other events.
• Enter development interactions with donors and event participation data into VCU’s donor database.
• Provide assistance with donor and gift intent data integrity to Philanthropic Services when issues of clarification arise; share and update changes of contact information and biographical records.
• Assist with correspondence, mailings, and reports for endowment donors and donors in the university’s annual and planned giving societies.
• Assist in assembling development proposals that are presented to prospective donors, including foundations and corporations.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for the office; determine matters that require the attention of others and refer or escalate as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality while determining appropriate responses to sensitive and complex issues.
• Take and share meeting minutes and follow up with colleagues on identified action items.
• Draft and collect topics for development team meeting agendas.
• Schedule volunteer and donor committee meetings and provide logistics, agenda setting, note-taking, and follow-up support.
• Collaborate with finance, marketing and communications, faculty, and curatorial colleagues on development and fundraising tasks and projects.
• Participate in trainings and share information with the team.
• Serve as an active team player in projects or activities that require full team collaboration.
• Anticipate project needs and discern priorities within budget and deadline.
• Ensure the VCUarts development team is reminded about, aware of, and adhering to DAR-generated policies and deadlines.
• Ensure the Office of the Dean of VCUarts and Office of the Executive Director of the ICA are provided with project and event briefings as appropriate to their involvement, in a timely manner.

Senior Development Coordinator Additional Responsibilities

• Assist with the strategic planning and execution of events, providing new ideas and ways to improve current and future donor and alumni events for VCUarts and the ICA.
• Support donor relations/stewardship projects and initiatives, including tracking university gift agreements.
• Assist in the creation of development proposals that are presented to prospective donors, including foundations and corporations.
• Think strategically, anticipating necessary actions and providing solutions and supporting materials independently.

Team Expectations

• Demonstrate appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU, VCUarts, and the ICA.
• Display a strong commitment to organizational success and delivering on individual responsibilities as a university citizen.
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to work and collaboration.
• Commit to the pursuit of excellence, high achievement, and ongoing professional development by proactively seeking opportunities to develop new capabilities, skills, and knowledge.
• Establish, cultivate, and maintain collaborative working relationships with internal partners.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the highest quality service to internal and external communities.
• Demonstrate an open-minded approach to understanding people from all backgrounds, identities, abilities, perspectives, and experiences.
• Ensure work is completed accurately and within deadlines; set high standards, exhibit a positive attitude, maintain strict confidentiality, and show exemplary work ethic.
• Reflect DAR’s and VCU’s core purpose and values.

Requirements

• One or more years of experience working in customer service, donor relations, or other public-facing roles, particularly in non-profit or higher education settings.
• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university, or equivalent experience in a fast-paced, complex environment.
• Experience with scheduling and calendar management (specifically Google Calendar) for large groups and for senior-level staff.
• Computer proficiency and experience with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, and Google Suite.
• Availability to work occasional evenings (1-2 per month) and weekend events (1-2 per year).
• Ability to manage time efficiently, prioritize work, handle multiple projects simultaneously, anticipate needs, and provide solutions to work-related questions and opportunities.
• Ability to implement and manage budgets and project plans.
• High level of customer service with the ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external audiences.
• Ability to navigate complex working environments with multiple stakeholders and willingness to ask for help as needed.
• Motivated by mission-driven work.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing and tracking travel reimbursements and knowledge of procurement policies and procedures.
• Experience with facilitating stewardship and donor relations initiatives.
• Experience planning and executing events.
• Previous experience working in a non-profit organization and/or university advancement.
• Interest in the arts or creative fields.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits.
• Paid annual and holiday leave.
• Generous tuition benefits.
• Retirement planning and savings options, including tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs.
• Employee discounts.
• Well-being resources.
• Abundant opportunities for career development and advancement.
• Commitment to hiring veterans, including increased leave accrual for veteran service.

Pay

$50,000 - $65,000

Schedule

• Full-time (40 hours per week).
• Hybrid work arrangement; must be within commuting distance to Richmond, VA and available to come into the office 3-4 days per week.
• Occasional evenings (1-2 per month) and weekend events (1-2 per year).