GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the VP for Advancement, the Advancement Associate, Primary responsibilities include fund development, managing the donor database, and administrative support for the Advancement Department.  Duties include (but are not limited to) advancement, office management, project management, and advancement of special event support, budgeting, presentation materials, events, and acknowledgments. The position also provides tertiary support and assistance in recording and internal audit review of philanthropic gifts received by the University.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Working with VP for Advancement, he/she leads the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Annual Giving Program, which includes setting quantifiable goals, writing copy, determining the timing and nature of appeals, coordinating solicitation material production, tracking annual gift responses, analyzing and interpreting data.  Make decisions about strategies, solicitation methods, segmentation, and timing for the NDNU Annual Fund
• Identify, cultivate, and solicit philanthropic support by developing and maintaining relationships with alumni, donors, trustees, friends, parents, faculty, and staff.

• Designs annual campaigns and coordinates with the Communications Specialist on the writing, design, and printing of all campaigns, digital or print committee volunteers; widely publicizing the campaign 
• Develop and manage more than one solicitation and solicitation strategy for the annual NDNU Fund, including direct mail, e-mail appeals, and social media, which help reconnect our constituents with NDNU.
• Manage the donor database, record and track all financial and in-kind donations; provide reports and mailing lists as requested and ensure system upgrades and data input adherence to department policies and procedures. 

• Oversee the gift processing in the Raiser’s Edge NXT database with the goal of properly recording/acknowledging every gift.
• Supervise address and information updates in Raiser’s Edge NXT.
• Lead all donor mailings (year-end appeal, spring appeal, and gift acknowledgments) 
• Create and prepare presentation materials for use in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Lead the Advancement Department in the research and preparation of grant proposals. 
• Create and analyze donor reports in support of major donor development 

 Other Responsibilities: 

• Manage and track expenses, including print, postage, and mailing.

• Enhance and update Annual Giving and Alumni social media webpage and social media to build awareness and to better inform and engage our constituents on the NDNU Fund or Alumni On-Line Communities/Social Media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter).
• Create, record, update, file, and communicate budget reports. 

• Maintains written procedures and backup files as appropriate.  
• Provide department budget management and accounting support through form preparation, delivery, and distribution, including invoices, travel reimbursement forms, reconciliation forms, requests, and other forms used in the routine business of the Advancement Office.
• Ensure meetings, conferences, and catering arrangements are smoothly scheduled well in advance to prevent conflicts.
• Lead the strategy and logistics for Advancement events.
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Candidates must have exceptional ethics and integrity and the ability to work within a fast-paced and high functioning office that values collaboration, teamwork, and trust
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong meeting planning and project management skills
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and a pleasant willingness to follow-thru on assignments
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Ability to work independently and take initiative 
• Strong computer skills:  MS Office experience, Raisers Edge NXT, MS Excel, internet, and e-mail
• A combination of 3-5 years of experience in advancement or administrative support
• College degree preferred