Development Coordinator

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University is seeking a Development Coordinator to provide operational, administrative, and donor support for the Annual Giving team. You will be the primary contact for donor and alumni inquiries, coordinate fundraising operations, maintain donor records, and assist with stewardship and engagement initiatives across the university.

The role is hybrid, offering in-office and remote work with potential policy adjustments.

Qualifications

• HS Diploma or equivalent required.
• 2+ years in an administrative role supporting multiple professionals.
• Proficient with office software and email applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Experience in fundraising environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for donor/alumni inquiries via phone and email.
• Coordinate donor, fundraiser, and departmental meetings; prepare agendas and materials.
• Assist planning Annual Giving donor engagement and events.
• Process and monitor expenses and financial transactions for the Annual Giving team.
• Coordinate stewardship mailings and donor communications.
• Enter and maintain constituent, meeting, and fundraising records in OwlConnect.
• Maintain electronic files in OwlConnect, Box, and OnBase.
• Liaise among Annual Giving, Development and Alumni Relations, campus partners, and vendors.
• Maintain office supplies and coordinate vendor requests.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Office software proficiency

Microsoft Office Suite

Customer service

Organization skills

Written communication

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Education

HS diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

OwlConnect

ERP systems (Oracle, Workday)

Windows PC environment

Box

OnBase

Job description

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Annual Giving Specialist, the Development Coordinator provides overall operational, administrative, and donor support for the Annual Giving team. The coordinator serves as a primary point of contact for resolving donor and alumni inquiries, coordinates fundraising operations, supports stewardship and donor engagement initiatives, maintains constituent records, and assists with financial and administrative processes that advance the team's fundraising goals. This position works collaboratively with the entire Annual Giving team, Development and Alumni Relations colleagues, and campus partners to ensure accurate donor data, exceptional customer service, and efficient execution of Annual Giving activities.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who demonstrates professionalism and possesses excellent organizational, interpersonal, and time-management skills, attention to detail, strong writing abilities, openness to learning, and a team-centered approach to success.

Workplace Requirements:

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change. *Non-Exempt (hourly) positions under FLSA are eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• HS Diploma or equivalent
• 2+ years of experience in an administrative position providing administrative support to multiple professionals, with extensive professional interaction with all levels of staff and leadership, both internal and external to an organization.

Skills:

• Proficient computer skills and demonstrated experience with office software and email applications
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated success in following through and completing routine tasks
• Advanced organizational skills and attention to detail
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize and multitask

Preferences:

• Bachelor's degree
• 2+ years of related experience
• Experience working in a fundraising environment in an educational or nonprofit organization
• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• High level of maturity and emotional intelligence, with the capability to exercise good judgment
• Experience with Blackbaud CRM or another advancement system
• Experience in a Windows PC environment
• Strong web and email skills
• Creativity, motivation, and superior problem-solving skills
• Ability to adapt to different software applications
• Experience in online accounting and transaction vouchering
• Familiarity with ERP systems (Oracle, Workday, etc.)
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and tactfully

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a primary point of contact for donor, alumni, parent, and campus inquiries by managing the Annual Giving phone line and giving email account; provides information regarding giving history and giving opportunities and directs inquiries to the appropriate staff.
• Coordinates donor, fundraiser, and departmental meetings, including preparing agendas and briefing materials; scheduling meetings; reserving meeting space; coordinating technology and catering; assembling meeting materials; and arranging travel as needed.
• Assists in planning and implementing Annual Giving donor engagement, stewardship, and fundraising activities and events.
• Processes, tracks, reconciles, and monitors Purchasing Card (PCard) expenses and other financial transactions for the Annual Giving team, ensuring compliance with university policies and resolving discrepancies.
• Coordinates in-house stewardship mailings, including monthly donor birthday cards, thank-you cards, and other donor-recognition communications.
• Enters, updates, and maintains constituent, meeting, and fundraising activity records in OwlConnect and assists fundraisers in ensuring timely and accurate documentation of donor interactions.
• Maintains electronic files and records utilizing university-approved systems, including OwlConnect, Box, and OnBase.
• Serves as a liaison among the Annual Giving team, Development and Alumni Relations, campus partners, vendors, and external constituents to facilitate communication and support fundraising initiatives.
• Maintains office supplies and equipment and coordinates vendor requests and purchases as needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Additional Functions:

• Supports fundraisers by maintaining accurate donor and prospect information within OwlConnect and assisting with data integrity and reporting.
• Serves as a knowledgeable resource regarding Rice University giving processes, donor inquiries, and Annual Giving initiatives.
• Supports Annual Giving stewardship and donor communication projects to promote donor retention and engagement.
• Collaborates with Development and Alumni Relations colleagues and campus partners to support Annual Giving priorities and team goals.
• Oversees special projects.
• Open office environment.
• Many hours spent in front of a computer.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [e-mail] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [e-mail] . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.