Advancement Assistant

Advancement Assistant

Amherst Campus
Full Time
JR4070

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Advancement Assistant position. The Advancement Assistant is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $21.35 per hour - commensurate with experience. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

Reporting to the Executive Assistant to the Chief Advancement Officer, the Advancement Assistant supports the work of the Chief Advancement Officer, the Associate Chief Advancement Officer, and the Senior Manager of Principal Gift Strategy. This role provides critical administrative support in service of Advancement's mission of engaging alumni and families, and securing fundraising support. The person in this role serves as a primary point of contact, together with the Advancement Executive Assistant, for internal and external constituencies on all matters pertaining to the Office of Advancement. They also serve as a liaison to the President's Office and Senior Staff helping to organize and coordinate CAO activities and advancement efforts.

This position supports Advancement's highest level goals and activities including but not limited to:

• meeting an ambitious fundraising target of over $300M in the next two years ($200M for the Student Center & Dining Commons, and $100M for other priorities)
  
• preparing robust materials in support of the President and Chief Advancement Officer's active calendar of meetings and events with prospective donors
  
• supporting the President's priority of reconnecting alumni who are not engaged with the College and re-energizing the donor community after the close of the Promise campaign.
  

This position works to support the Chief Advancement Officer in the management of the portfolio of 163 prospects, over half of which are rated $2.5 million and higher. The total gift capacity value of the CAO's portfolio is over $1.3 billion. In addition, this position supports high visibility and high impact projects including: strategic principal donor events, supports critical boards and members including; Trustee Nominating Committee, Trusteeship Committee, Committee on Institutional Advancement, Executive Committee of Society of the Alumni and the honorary degree process.

The person in this role is expected to work as part of a collaborative and inclusive team including taking appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participating in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment. In addition, all advancement staff members are required to support and staff key events such as Reunion, Homecoming, and Family Weekend. These events may require occasional evening and weekend hours.

Summary of Responsibilities:

ADVANCEMENT & PRINCIPAL GIVING SUPPORT

• Work closely with the Chief Advancement Officer to support the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of high-level Principal Giving donors and prospects including:
  
  • Track and document principal giving activity including visit reports, meeting and event briefings, gift proposals and acknowledgments
    
  • Provide administrative support for principal gifts including scheduling appointments/meetings, processing expenses, maintaining file systems, shipping packages and donor gifts, maintaining donor lists.
    
  • Proactively update prospect information or confirm information via online research and use of data search tools.
    
  • Prepare meeting materials including board reports, powerpoint presentations, itineraries, agendas, minutes, and donor correspondence.
    
  • Assists with the President and CAO's travel and event calendars and helps coordinate and plan on- and off-campus events. Guests often include the College President and senior staff as well as high capacity alumni and trustees. Tasks may include event logistics, generating guest lists, creating and distributing invitations and tracking RSVPs.
    
• Support the work of Board of Trustees Committees assigned to the CAO including the Committee on Institutional Advancement (CIA) and the Student Center & Dining Commons fundraising committee.
  
• Manage data projects including but not limited to; Linkedin searches, maintaining accurate contact information based on mail returns, constituent feedback, and alumni directory updates.
  
• Update job descriptions, onboarding plans, and org charts.
  
• Support the development and updating of department-wide policy and practices to ensure critical functions for a team of 65+.
  
• Schedule and track critical departmental training including DEI workshops, inclusive hiring participation, and more.
  
• Coordinate Advancement new hire orientation (65+ staff members), tracking completion of annual performance review processes and goal setting.
  
• Serve as a first point of contact for the Advancement office. Engage internal and external constituents via phone, email, and in person and assess/undertake appropriate next steps. This may also include some reception duties/coverage.
  
• Assist the CAO and ACAO in oversight functions by reviewing, monitoring, and approving forms and reviewing correspondence and documents prepared by other offices for the division head's signature.
  
• Determine appropriate course of action, referral, or response including trip reports and any follow-up from travel and one-on-one meetings between the VP and donors and volunteers.
  
• Supports the Trustee Nominating Committee process.
  
• Creates an inclusive and inviting environment for a diverse set of colleagues and visitors.
  

Qualifications:

Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
  
• 1-3 years related experience.
  
• Sensitivity to issues of confidentiality.
  
• Attention to detail.
  
• Strong organizational, time management, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Ability to take initiative, work independently and collaboratively.
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and ability to learn new software.
  
• Commitment to or experience working with diverse communities.
  

Preferred

• Associate's degree.
  
• 3-5 years office experience working in a higher education setting with a diverse group.
  

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Career icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

To find information about job group and level (JGL) follow this link.


To apply, visit https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Amherst_Jobs/job/Amherst-Campus/Advancement-Assistant_JR4070


jeid-d97f5992634a72449be9bfbb66eb4ceb