Development Specialist for Constituent Relations & Stewardship

Development Specialist for Constituent Relations and Stewardship

Summary:

The Development Specialist for Constituent Relations & Stewardship is a professional position reporting directly to the Director of Constituent Relations & Stewardship and in collaboration with the Director of Donor Engagement. The role broadly supports the strategic engagement efforts of the Medicine and Health Development team, which works in service to the VCU School of Medicine and VCU Health. The primary function of the position is to design, implement and elevate strategic engagement and stewardship efforts that facilitate meaningful interaction with and recognition of VCU Health and VCU School of Medicine’s major and principal gift donors. The role also provides general administrative support to the two professionals on the strategic engagement team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

General Administrative Support:

●Provide calendar, event and meeting support including coordination of events for internal & external constituents
●Assist with gift agreements
●Assist with special projects in alignment with the objectives of the strategic engagement team and the needs of the Medicine and Health Development office
●Manage stewardship records both internally and in coordination with the offices of VCU Development and Alumni Relations and the MCV Foundation
●Develop written correspondence and format and edit proposals
●Maintain a corporate purchasing card and participates in all required reconciliation and training
●Work with internal and external vendors to purchase items and to purchase and initiate services as needed.
●Assist in managing the strategic engagement budget
●Demonstrate a commitment to risk assessment (considering cost, benefit, and impact) and adhere to University purchasing policies and internal control mechanisms

Event Planning/Execution:

● Coordinate and assist in the execution of milestone, salon and marquee-level donor/alumni engagement events (Reunion weekend, investiture dinners, campus tours, faculty/student and donor meetings, endowed lectureship event support and others as assigned.
●Support MedHealth’s role in campus partner stewardship and engagement events (MCVF, DAR) and serve as a liaison for third party fundraising and engagement events, which may occur outside normal business hours
*Provide timely customer service to alumni, supporters and others with an advanced level of professionalism

Donor Stewardship:

●Assist in executing annual stewardship and donor relations activities and mailings (i.e. stewardship mailings, office donor holiday cards) and work to coordinate MedHealth stewardship activities with campus partners (MCVF, DAR)
●Assist the Assistant Director of Development Operations in the collection and coordination of endowed faculty position holder update letters
●Support the implementation of a stewardship and engagement plans for identified donors and prospects
●Collaborate with the MCV Foundation and other MCV Campus development offices on the distribution of annual endowment reports
●Learn to use and support the use of multimedia donor stewardship and engagement communications tools (virtual event software, video editing software)

Endowed Scholarship Management:

● Assist in and support activities related to the appropriate and timely stewardship of all SOM endowed scholarships including:
●Serve as office liaison and donor representative to the SOM Scholarship Committee and the SOM Office of Financial Aid to ensure that SOM endowed scholarships are being used and stewarded in accordance with donor intent
●Maintain the scholarship management system in E-Curriculum in cooperation with the SOM Financial Aid and Dean’s Office by ensuring that new scholarships and related background is entered in a timely and accurately manner
●Ensure that scholarship recipients’ names are submitted to Central Stewardship office for recording in RADAR on constituent records and purpose records on an annual basis
● Solicit, secure and distribute endowed scholarship student recipient thank you letters

Essential Qualifications:

●An undergraduate degree from an accredited university or a minimum of 3-5 years of equivalent/relevant work experience with strong preference for experience working in development/donor relations in a university or healthcare setting
●Demonstrated experience in concepting, planning and executing complex special events and carrying out all related administrative tasks.
●Demonstrated ability to execute advanced stewardship and engagement practices requiring the incumbent to engage directly with major donors and senior leaders
●Ability to understand fundraising concepts and practice in a complex research institution as well as working knowledge of development office administration and stewardship practices
●Highest ethical standards, attention to confidentiality and familiarity with and a willingness to fully comply with VCU’s interpretation of HIPAA law as it relates to fundraising
●Experience in detailed/complex project management and the ability to manage multiple simultaneous, detailed projects and to prioritize competing priorities to complete work on time while also driving and supporting team success in a matrix environment
●Advanced problem-solving skills, the ability to work independently, strong customer service orientation, a passion for learning, a commitment to process improvement, flexibility and strong attention to detail
●Well-developed interpersonal, organizational, and communications skills including the ability to write, edit, and develop professional stewardship communications for diverse audiences.
●Demonstrated experience communicating effectively and directly with major donors, senior leaders and colleagues
●Sound judgment and professional credibility necessary to support relationships of trust and respect with a diverse range of stakeholders in a complex, inclusive community
●The ability to participate in financial systems training and to manage a corporate purchasing card requiring monthly reconciliation
●Ability to assist in defining, tracking, analyzing and reporting on stewardship and engagement outcomes
●Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suites as well as demonstrated ability to create and manage budgets and mailing lists in Excel, execute complex mail merges, support projects requiring proficient use of Adobe InDesign and to use and update relational databases (preferably Blackbaud products)
●Travel involving an automobile and the ability and willingness to work nights and weekends as necessary to support the activities of the position and the office.
●Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment
●Deep appreciation for the mission and aspirations of VCU, VCU Health, and the VCU School of Medicine

Preferred Qualifications:

●Demonstrated successful experience in constituent relationship/team building with donors/volunteers for the benefit and advancement of the organization.
●Demonstrated successful experience in development office administration, preferably in the area of stewardship and donor/constituent relations.
●Welcoming, professional, polished demeanor and the ability to relate to people at all business and social levels.
●Experience in transaction processing/purchasing and knowledge of state eVA and Banner systems.
●Experience working in a nonprofit or higher education setting strongly preferred
Working knowledge of tax laws affecting charitable giving

This position is open until filled.



University Title: Sr. Specialist DV (15214)

Salary Range: $53,400 - $74,700/annually



Position Details:

Department:
Employment Type: UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status: No
FTE: 1
Exemption Status: Exempt



Contact Information:

Contact Name: Laura Renaud Yawman

Contact Email: laura.renaud@vcuhealth.org