Advancement Specialist | Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs

American University of Sharjah; Sharjah; On-site; AED 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Sharjah is seeking an Advancement Specialist to support fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives. The candidate will conduct prospect research, prepare donor communications, and assist in developing strategies to enhance donor relations. Ideal qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of experience in a related field. The role involves creative content development and engagement strategies for alumni participation.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in advancement, donor relations, or communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for newsletters and reports.
• Creative approach to content development and alumni engagement.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prospect identification and research for fundraising goals.
• Prepare detailed donor profiles and research briefings.
• Plan and write the monthly online alumni newsletter.

Skills

Research and analysis

Written communication

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Content development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Donor databases

Job description

Position Summary

The Advancement Specialist will support the university’s advancement and alumni engagement initiatives by providing prospect research, donor communications, and alumni outreach. This role enables fundraising success through research, customized donor reports, and impactful communication strategies. The Advancement Specialist works closely with the Advancement and Alumni Affairs team to strengthen donor engagement, expand alumni involvement, and advance the university’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Conduct prospect identification and research to support fundraising priorities and goals.
• Prepare detailed donor profiles and research briefings tailored for development and donor relations meetings.
• Assist in developing strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects to expand the donor base.
• Use electronic screenings and research tools to identify new prospects and fulfill donor background requests.
• Plan, write, and design the monthly online alumni newsletter.
• Produce impact reports for key initiatives, ensuring accountability and transparency to stakeholders.
• Coordinate communication plans for major advancement events.
• Create content for advancement platforms, including website copy, alumni announcements, and campaign updates.
• Partner with the Alumni Affairs team to strengthen alumni engagement, focusing on cultivating alumni participation and philanthropy.
• Support the planning and execution of major advancement and alumni events.
• Assist with event organization and coordination across all advancement areas.

Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience in advancement, donor relations, communications, or related field
• Skilled in research and analysis, with the ability to turn data into actionable insights
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for newsletters, reports, and donor correspondence
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Team-oriented mindset with strong collaboration skills
• Creative approach to content development and alumni engagement
• Adaptable and resourceful in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications And Skills

• Proficiency in donor databases and research tools

How To Apply

• Interested applicants should fill out the form.
• AUS alumni are encouraged to apply. Applicants who do not meet specified requirements will not be shortlisted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• AUS is an equal opportunity employer. We adhere to a policy of making employment decisions without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, disability or marital status. Opportunities for employment are based solely on one’s qualifications.