Development Specialist, Gift Planning (HR title: Advancement Coordinator 2)
Southern Methodist University Inc

Description

Hourly Range:

$27.71 per hour - $30.77 per hour

About SMU:

A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, SMU is a distinguished center for global research and teaching.

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

About department (insert text or delete if not applicable)

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fundraising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Development Specialist provides fundraising and administrative support to the Office of Gift Planning, including but not limited to: manage prospect portfolios for Executive Director and staff; maintain planned giving records in database; provide support for trust and estate administration; prepare documents for planned gifts, endowment agreements, gift transmittals and memorandums; and maintain Dallas Hall Society and Planned Giving Advisory Council membership records.

The role will also provide general administrative support for budget management of the Office of Gift Planning including the annual budgeting processes, travel arrangements and expense reporting, meeting logistics, procurement card statements and payment requests, and assisting with hiring process and other duties as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Specialized Planned Giving Support: Prepare gift transmittals and closed gift memoranda regarding planned giving expectancies and maturities; communicate with Offices of Gift Administration and Donor Relations for recording and reporting of all planned gifts. Provide support for trust and estate administration oversight and draft Estates Pending Report for Office of Legal Affairs. Work with TIAA/Kaspick, SMU's fiduciary for life income gifts, along with Gift Administration and Finance regarding records pertaining to Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Gift Annuities, donors and income beneficiaries, and provide administrative support for the annual reporting to these donors. Manage premium payments on SMU owned life insurance policies.
  
  
• Specialized Database Support: Oversee creation and maintenance of records in database for relevant trusts and estates; enter and link expected and matured planned gifts in database by gift type with unique gift information (date, amount, anonymous, revocable, nominal value, payout, insurance) with school/unit revocable designations. Update records with current marketing or individual outreach.
  
  
• Administrative and Fundraising Support: Provide administrative support for ED of Gift Planning and for the Gift Planning team: Manage travel and related expenses, review and reconcile procurement card statements and payment requests. Maintain calendars, help coordinate internal and external meetings, answer phones and respond to inquiries, handle correspondence, and communicate with alumni and donors.
  
  
• Non-Cash Gift Support: Coordinate with Finance and Gift Administration in collecting and submitting necessary supporting documentation for gifts-in-kind (GIK); preparing gift transmittals to ensure GIK's are properly recorded and receipted, and that IRS Forms 8283 and 8282 are properly completed and delivered when needed on gifts of over $5,000.
  
  
• Stewardship Support: Oversee membership and, in collaboration with the Office of Donor Relations, the activities of Dallas Hall Society (DHS); assist in preparing DHS list for annual report; manage signatures and mailing DHS greeting cards Manage logistics for Planned Giving Advisory Council meetings. Obtain reports necessary for appropriate stewardship; provide other stewardship support as required.
  
  
• Budget management: Complete journal entries between orgs, review expenditures and reconcile budgets on monthly basis. Handle budget responsibilities for Gift Planning team. Coordinate and prepare monthly financial report. Provide updates to the team for financial changes, procedures, forms and any questions on administrative processes. Coordinate annual budget process. Prepare Purchase Order Requests where necessary. Manage contracts and memberships for team and attend any needed trainings.
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree is required.

A minimum of three years of work experience with general administrative duties and/or program support is required. Experience in the fundraising sector and/or university advancement preferred. Knowledge of estate and/or financial planning desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate with donors and individuals at all giving and management levels and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. A strong customer service orientation with a solution focused approach to donor inquiries and requests is essential.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills. A strong focus on attention to detail and strong project management skills are essential. An understanding of planned giving vehicles, endowments, and the fundraising cycle, preferred.

Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of MS Office. Knowledge of BBEC (or comparable CRM/donor database) is preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Stand
• Walk for long distances
• Handle objects (dexterity)

Deadline to Apply:

October 18, 2024

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by October 11, 2024

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

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