Development Assistant, Bellisario College of Communications

Penn State; State College, Northern (Centre County, KY); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn State’s The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications seeks a Development Assistant to support fundraising operations in the Office of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR).

This role provides comprehensive administrative and project support to development staff, coordinates donor outreach, and helps manage proposals, reports, and stewardship communications. The successful candidate will have 2+ years of relevant experience, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to handle

Qualifications

• GED or HS diploma required; general equivalency accepted in lieu of experience
• 2+ years of relevant administrative, fundraising, nonprofit, or related experience
• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion
• Experience supporting director-level staff in a deadline-driven environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and related tools

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and project support to the development team and frontline fundraiser
• Articulate Penn State's needs and values in communications
• Manage proposal submissions, donor records, and fundraising data
• Coordinate donor outreach, meetings, travel, and materials for development activities
• Prepare meeting agendas, proposals, annual giving appeals, briefing documents, and stewardship communications
• Conduct prospect and donor research; maintain donor databases and coding
• Generate reports on donor engagement, giving activity, and fundraising progress
• Support prospect management and portfolio tracking
• Liaise between Bellisario College and other DDAR units
• Plan and coordinate events, vendor management, and travel logistics
• Monitor expenses, budget tracking, and reporting
• Perform other development-related duties as assigned

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Discretion with confidential info

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Teams

SharePoint

Salesforce

Job description

Penn State is currently seeking a Development Assistant for The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications to support fundraising operations within the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR), you can play an integral role in Penn State’s future and contribute to one of the most successful fundraising and alumni relations operations in the country. Reporting to the Director of Development and Alumni Relations in the Bellisario College, and working closely with development officers, alumni relations and stewardship colleagues, and central DDAR partners, the Development Assistant will: * Provide comprehensive administrative and project support to the development team, including the Director of Development and Alumni Relations as well as a frontline fundraiser, in the cultivation, solicitation, and closure of philanthropic gifts;* Articulate Penn State’s needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications;* Manage and track proposal submissions, ensure gifts are recorded properly, and coordinate communications with internal and external stakeholders;* Be responsible for conducting outreach to donors and prospects, scheduling internal and external meetings for development officers, and facilitating travel arrangements as needed;* Assist in producing development materials such as meeting agendas, solicitation proposals, annual giving appeals, briefing documents, presentations, and stewardship communications;* Conduct prospect and donor research; collect, compile, and maintain data related to fundraising initiatives;* Enter, update, and maintain accurate donor and prospect records and coding in fundraising databases; input goals and solicitations while ensuring adherence to applicable guidelines;* Prepare, review, and distribute reports related to donor engagement, giving activity, participation, and fundraising progress;* Support prospect management by assisting with strategy development, tracking moves, and monitoring portfolios;* Serve as a liaison between the Bellisario College of Communications and other DDAR units in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship processes; supports personalized donor appreciation;* Assist as needed with planning, coordination, execution, and follow-up for events, volunteer activities, and special initiatives;* Negotiate and process contracts for necessary development and alumni events venues, caterers, hotels, etc.;* Monitor and reconcile expenses; manage budget tracking and reporting;* Provide logistical support for development staff travel, including pre-travel preparation and post-travel follow-up;* Support annual fundraising goals and planning efforts;* Perform other administrative and development-related duties as assigned;The successful candidate will have:* 2 or more years of relevant administrative, teaching, tech, fundraising, sales, nonprofit or related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience;* Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills;* The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;* Experience supporting director-level staff and/or working in a complex, deadline-driven environment is preferred* Ability to represent Penn State professionally to internal and external stakeholders, including high net-worth individuals* Exceptional attention to detail, follow-through, and organizational consistency* Ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion and sound judgment* Proven ability to self-motivate, manage multiple priorities, and work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment* Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, salesforce, and related tools* A proven ability to self-motivate and work both independently and as part of a team;* A commitment to professional development, learning, and being mentored. DDAR supports flexible work arrangements when aligned with the needs of the unit and the essential duties of the position. Questions regarding flexible work options may be discussed during the interview process. **MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS**General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School (HS)2+ years of relevant experience; Relevant education accepted in lieu of experienceRequired Certifications:None### Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni RelationsIf you believe in the power of higher education—and philanthropy—to shape the public good, you’ll excel right here in Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR). Our organization includes more than 500 professionals engaging a community of more than 800,000 alumni who believe in the power of giving back. Across our interdisciplinary teams of fundraisers, alumni relations professionals, communicators, event planners, financial experts, and more, there is a place for you to make a difference in the lives of students and faculty while taking your own career to new heights. Learn more about us at raise.psu.edu and explore the success of our most recent campaign at greaterpennstate.psu.edu. Building a Career and a Life at Penn StateAcross all campuses and an online World Campus, our 100,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the globe. Penn State consistently ranks among the top academic and research universities in the world: psu.edu/this-is-penn-state/facts-and-rankings This position is based at the University Park campus, located in State College, Pennsylvania. State College is ranked among the lowest-stress and safest small cities in the country, with excellent public schools, beautiful parks and other natural assets, and a broad range of cultural and athletic events and venues: statecollegepa.us and statecollege.com **BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES**Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. This position requires that you operate a motor vehicle as a part of your job duties. A valid driver’s license and successful completion of a motor vehicle records check will be required in addition to standard background checks.### Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment Visa. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. **SALARY & BENEFITS**The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $40,608.00 - $58,836.00.