Development Coordinator

Southwestern Law School; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 31,697 - 45,144; Full time

Job summary

Southwestern Law School is looking for a Development Coordinator to manage the alumni and donor database while ensuring data integrity and processing donations accurately. This role involves daily communication with constituents to support fundraising initiatives and enhance donor relations.

The ideal candidate will have prior experience in advancement and fundraising, strong attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and CRM tools. This is a vital position for contributing to the school's development goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent experience.
• Prior experience in advancement, fundraising, or alumni engagement.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, especially Excel and CRM software.

Responsibilities

• Manage alumni and donor database updates and integrity.
• Process donations and maintain accurate records.
• Generate reports related to donor history and contributions.
• Assist with event-related tasks and customer inquiries.

Skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

CRM proficiency

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

CRM Advance

Salesforce

Job description

The Development Coordinator is primarily responsible for daily input, updates, and maintenance of the alumni and donor database, including contributions, biographic, and demographic information. This role will gather and enter data necessary for the department to communicate effectively with constituents and raise contributions. The Development Coordinator processes donations to the school efficiently and accurately, and updates contact information and other relevant identifying data. This position is primarily responsible for proactively maintaining the integrity of gift and contact information. The Development Coordinator interacts with staff and alumni to provide relevant support and excellent customer service. This position reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement and is non‑exempt.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Organize and enter donations into the Institutional Advancement CRM according to Southwestern policies and industry-standard best practices.
• Accurately determines donor intent, legal donor, and gift purpose for recording gift by reviewing relevant documentation and CRM data and/or by proactively consulting with staff.
• Coordinates bank deposits and gift batch posting with the Accounting Department.
• Use spreadsheet formulas and functions to prepare data for input and perform reconciliations.
• Curates and maintains electronic files for gift entry batches.
• Fulfills all contact information updates of alumni, donors, and friends from various sources, including proactively researching updates to deliver a high level of accuracy.
• Proactively initiates data integrity projects.
• Updates and maintains constituent Affiliation codes, Solicitation codes, contribution fund Designations, and other code tables as needed.
• Generates various standard reports, including contribution and donor history reports, constituent management reports, and alumni lists.
• Opens and distributes daily mail for the department.
• Creates and maintains procedural manuals and process documentation for maintaining data integrity and gift processing. Initiates process documentation and requests further clarification for documentation.
• As needed, assists with event-related tasks such as RSVP tracking, creating nametags, or the event check‑in table.
• Answers the main phone line and voice mail for the Office of Institutional Advancement and greets walk‑in guests.
• Responsible for proactively identifying and completing tasks for continuous process improvements for maximum efficiency.
• Assists fellow staff members with CRM navigation and data entry practices, being a main contact for questions about CRM usage.
• Contacts alumni and donors upon request, maintaining a high level of customer service.
• Manages recurring donations to ensure accuracy and timely communication.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; may substitute four years of vocational school training, job‑related experience, or a combination in a similar position, but must have a high‑school diploma or GED.
• A keen eye for detail and the ability to spot and correct errors accurately and efficiently.
• Proactive and curious problem‑solver.
• Quick learner, accurate, able to multitask, and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to occasionally work additional hours and some holidays during peak times, including but not limited to fiscal year‑end and calendar year‑end.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Prior experience in advancement, fundraising, and alumni engagement in a university or non‑profit setting.
• Knowledge and experience applying IRS and CASE standards and guidelines to daily tasks. Familiarity with FASB guidelines.
• Proficiency with and ability to learn new technology and incorporate into daily work.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience with Microsoft 365, with emphasis on Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams, and mail merge functions.
• Experience using modern CRMs for gift and data entry (CRM Advance, RE NXT, Salesforce, etc.).
• High proficiency in 10‑key data entry (number pad).
• High level of judgment, discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Highly organized and excellent time‑management skills.
• Excellent critical thinking and listening skills.
• Ability to apply creative problem‑solving skills to develop solutions within established policies, guidelines, accreditation standards, and applicable law.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service.

Salary: $27.89/hour