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Department Summary: The mission of VCU’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) is to maximize philanthropic support by engaging stakeholders with our institution, working in partnership with all VCU schools, programs and campuses as one development and alumni relations community and implementing the best practices and efficient strategies to achieve a comprehensive development program.

Duties & Responsibilities:

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 Senior/Development Coordinator 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 determination of duties, working title, and salary based on the knowledge, skills, and experience of the candidate pool. Candidates with varying levels of experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered equally.

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and resume for consideration.

As the Development Coordinator, you will:

• 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 and 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 that the VCUarts development team is reminded about, aware of, and adhering to DAR-generated policies and deadlines;
• Ensure that the Office of the Dean of VCUarts and Office of the Executive Director of the ICA are provided with project and event briefings as is appropriate to their involvement, in a timely manner.

As the Senior Development Coordinator, you will be responsible for all of the above, as well as:

• 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.

As a team member, you will:

• 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
• Demonstrate a commitment 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

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 willing and able 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

Additional Information:

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

VCU is also committed to hiring veterans. The University will include a veteran’s period(s) of military service in calculations of the annual leave accrual rate. This may provide veterans with an increased leave accrual.

Unit: Development MBU

Department: Campus Development

Salary Range: $50,000 - $65,000

University Job Title: 91511 - Open

FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid; Must be within commuting distance to Richmond, VA and available to come into the office 3-4 days per week.

Eligible for sponsorship (e.g. H-IB visa status, etc.): No

Wireless stipend: No 

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Izzy Kane
Contact Email: irkane@vcu.edu