Advancement Associate

Salve Regina University; Newport (RI); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Tuition remission for employee

Tuition exchange program

Wellness program

On-campus fitness center access

Job summary

Salve Regina University seeks an Advancement Associate to provide high‑level administrative support to the Vice President for Advancement, coordinating campaign reports, donor meetings, and follow‑ups. You will help plan visits, manage records, and identify outreach opportunities while supporting major gifts, annual giving, and alumni relations.

The ideal candidate is detail‑oriented, service‑minded, and eager to build a career in advancement within a Mercy‑values driven environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience demonstrating transferable skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with donors.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Self-motivated, resourceful, and proactive in outreach.
• Collaborative yet capable of independent work.
• Adaptable and quick to learn new skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Foster a collaborative work environment aligned with Mercy values.
• Organize itineraries for high‑level visits and prepare briefing materials.
• Develop strategies for cultivating prospects and donors.
• Maintain communication pipelines and CRM records for donors.
• Manage VP’s calendar and travel arrangements.
• Support budgets, expenses, and advancement operations.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser's Edge

AI tools

Job description

About Salve Regina University

Salve Regina University, ranked as one of the most transformative colleges in the United States by Money Magazine, is a comprehensive Catholic University located in the scenic coastal community of Newport, Rhode Island. The University’s commitment to academic success and personal discovery extends beyond its historic campus into a dynamic world where the application of higher thinking and skill are most valued. Salve Regina offers bachelor's and master's degree programs, graduate certificates, and doctoral programs in humanities, international relations and nursing. Enrollment includes more than 2,600 undergraduate and graduate students from across the U.S. and around the world.

Job Description

Basic Function

Salve Regina’s Advancement Associate will serve as a central partner in a fast-paced, collaborative advancement environment. This valued team member will provide high-level administrative and logistical support to the Vice President for Advancement (VP), including preparing campaign reports, presentations, and donor‑meeting briefings; coordinating timely post‑meeting follow‑up; organizing meaningful visits for special guests; and actively managing the VP’s calendar. The Associate will also proactively identify outreach, travel, and meeting opportunities that advance Salve Regina’s mission and strategic priorities.

Working closely with the future Chief of Staff and the AVP of Advancement, the Advancement Associate will help strengthen team operations and deepen relationships with donors, alumni, and friends of Salve Regina University. The ideal candidate will be self‑motivated, exceptionally detail‑oriented, service‑focused, and eager to build a career in advancement. This role offers broad exposure to the field and meaningful opportunities for training and to develop experience in annual giving, major gifts, alumni relations, advancement operations, donor stewardship, event management, and communications. It is an outstanding opportunity to join a supportive, mission‑driven team at an institution that lives its Mercy values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Fosters a collaborative and empowering work environment rooted in Salve Regina University’s Mercy values: demonstrate empathic leadership through the positive engagement of Advancement team members and the broader Salve community.
• In collaboration with campus partners, organizes strategic itineraries for high‑level visits and meetings both on and off campus - and prepares participants through strategic briefing documents. Proactively creates post‑visit deliverables for university leadership involved in the engagement.
• Develops a deep understanding of the VP's portfolio of prospects and donors and creates strategies for on‑going cultivation. Creates and maintains organizational systems to ensure consistent and meaningful communication with prospects and donors.
• Has high‑level understanding of the goals and objectives of the division to assist with strategy in deployment of VP and other University leadership.
• Oversees templates for creation of gift documentation memos and various correspondences related to major gift cultivation and solicitation.
• Actively manages the VP's calendar and coordinates travel.
• Documents University President's and VP's interactions with prospective donors and donors into Advancement CRM, taking responsibility for and facilitating follow‑up.
• Assists with prospective donor research, in coordination with the Director of Advancement Services and Prospect Research.
• Steps into scheduling meetings with donors and prospective donors, Annual Fund activity, Donor Stewardship projects and Advancement Operations initiatives to contribute as needed.
• Supports the tracking and management of Advancement budgets and VP's expenses.
• Assume additional responsibilities as needed.

Licences, Tools, and Equipment

NA

Environmental Conditions

The incumbent is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Requirements

Required :

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Relevant professional, internship, volunteer, and/or educational experience demonstrating transferable skills.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with comfort engaging alumni, donors, and prospective donors by email, in person, and on the phone.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines effectively.
• Self‑motivated and resourceful, with demonstrated initiative, work ethic, follow‑through, and sound problem‑solving skills.
• Collaborative team member who also works independently, embraces responsibility, and contributes creative solutions.
• Adaptable and flexible, with a willingness to learn new skills, take on challenging assignments, and respond effectively to changing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

Preferred :

• Salve Regina University alumni are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with Raiser's Edge NXT.
• Experience with AI tools.

Additional Information

Salve Regina University offers generous benefits to eligible employees including (waiting periods apply):

• health, dental and vision coverage available on the first of the month following date of hire
• 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA with employee and employer contributions as well as access to advising services
• long‑term disability coverage
• employer‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• up to 100% free tuition at Salve for eligible employees and qualified dependents
• robust wellness program and free access to the on‑campus Fitness Center

Other available benefits include:

• supplemental life insurance for employees and dependents
• supplemental insurance coverage through Aflac
• Tuition Exchange scholarship program. Application available for qualified dependents of eligible employees working full‑time
• discounted pet insurance through ASPCA
• student loan forgiveness assistance program (SAVI)
• employee Assistance Program through Health Advocate
• flexible spending health and dependent care accounts
• health savings accounts
• 529 college‑bound saver program
• paid parental leave and adoption assistance

For more detailed information on Salve's benefits, visit https://salve.edu/human-resources/benefits.

Company Culture

Salve Regina University strives to cultivate belonging values through diversity, equity inclusion in order to foster a welcoming culture for our staff, faculty and students, as well as the wider community. Salve Regina University embraces all people with grace. No matter the path traveled to get here, the University acknowledges that many identities will intersect. Salve Regina belongs to all in its community.