Development Coordinator, NYC

Socket.dev; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Development Coordinator at Vanderbilt University supports the New York Development Team within the DAR department. Based in New York City, the role ensures smooth operations for communications, events, travel, donor activities, and data reporting. It requires strong organization, prioritization, and independent judgement.

The role involves donor communications, special projects, event planning, research, admin support, and maintaining data quality in CRM systems, including VandyQuest.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in development or higher education preferred.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and logistical support for the development team.
• Coordinate events, meetings, travel, and donor communications.
• Assist with data reporting and use CRM (VandyQuest) data.
• Prepare and manage budgets and office operations.
• Support donor acknowledgement process and reports.
• Maintain calendar, travel plans, and communications with stakeholders.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Discretion

Communication skills

Customer service

Project management

Multi-tasking

Decision making

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Salesforce

Job description

Position Summary

The Development Coordinator will play a key role in supporting the New York Development Team within Vanderbilt’s Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) department. Based in New York City, this role is crucial for ensuring smooth operations within the Regional Development team.

Key responsibilities include providing operational and logistical support for development team communications, events, travel, donor events, meeting preparations, data reporting and other team activities. The role requires strong organizational skills, the ability to prioritize multiple projects with varying deadlines, and the capacity to exercise independent judgement.

The Development Coordinator will be involved in various functions such as donor communications and outreach, special projects, event planning, research, administrative support, meeting preparations, and donor reporting. Other duties include managing daily office operations, budgetary and personnel activities, coordinating donor communication, and responding to donor needs.

About the Work Unit

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs. More information can be found here: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions and Expected Performance

Budgetary Responsibilities

• Maintains an in-depth understanding of financial and procurement policies and procedures.
• Record and submit all checks/cash received.
• Research, resolve and justify any budget or expense questions or discrepancies.
• Compile data, monitor office budget and maintain current/accurate records

Project Management

• Assist the New York development team with coordinating various internal and external event activities, including organizing meetings, and coordinating event logistics and communication details. This role may also involve handling other logistical tasks as needed.
• Coordinates research with Information Management and Research and Prospect Development on prospects and donors to include our CRM, VandyQuest, profiles; summarize findings; event and meeting briefings; bio updates.
• Manage research projects and data analysis for the New York Development team and key campus partners.
• Create activity reports in database for communications received from constituents, as well as communications sent to constituents from development officers and other team members.
• Help manage the donor gift acknowledgement process, including pulling weekly or monthly gift reports, writing, editing, and merging acknowledgement and cover letters, and executing with various leadership approvals.
• Assist with logistics and planning for alumni programs and other events.
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion based on deadlines and organizational needs.

Coordinator Responsibilities

• Provides high-level, direct support for the team including calendaring, expense reporting, procurement and budget management, and ad hoc projects.
• Organizes, attends, and actively participates in meetings regarding team functions, and prospect reviews; assists with scheduling for team-wide meetings and activities; maintains travel plans and calendars.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of the fundraising database and other project and information management systems to effectively update and utilize data, department projects, and report progress toward goals. Manage the input and output of data within database while maintaining regular quality control and data integrity. This may include bio updates, contact reports, activity reports, volunteer coding, compiling and formatting class lists, generating data reports and dashboards, updating opportunities, and submitting cases for various needs.
• Compose and maintain procedure and process documents of database and business processes for the team.
• Provides follow up from donor visits including sending mailings, packages, and donor or volunteer materials as needed.
• Provides customer service to prospects, donors, faculty, and staff regularly.
• Manages office files and organization of team supplies.
• Collaborate with and support team members on special projects/initiatives.
• Maintain an in-depth understanding, interpretation, and applicability of university policies and procedures.
• Review, analyze, and research trends and recommend strategies for continuous improvement.
• Prioritize multiple projects according to organizational demands.
• Establish regular communication flow with internal and external key stakeholders.
• Perform tasks and other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships

This position has no direct reports. This position reports administratively and functionally to the Executive Director of Development, New York.

Work Environment

This position will be located in New York City area. This will be a hybrid role with the expectation of being in the office 1-2 days per week or more depending on business needs. It will require occasional overnight travel to Nashville, approximately quarterly.

Education and Certifications

• Associate’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred

Experience and Skills

• 2-3 years of relevant work experience, or the equivalent, is necessary
• Prefer experience within development and/or higher education
• Excellent interpersonal management skills
• Confidentiality and discretion are a must
• Must have a professional attitude, and exhibit considerable tact, persuasion, and judgement in interactions with internal and external constituents
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Affinity for mastering new computer programs and database management
• Salesforce experience a plus
• Ability to make independent decisions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent project management skills with ability to multi-task
• Ability to handle crisis situations and perform well under pressure
• Some evening/weekend work as needed

The anticipated salary range for this exempt position is $70-$75k annually, depending on education, skills, experience, and other job-related factors.

About Vanderbilt

At Vanderbilt University, our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.