Development Specialist for Frontline Support Services

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 47,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Development Specialist for Frontline Support Services to provide operational support and strategic leadership within the University Development Office. The role supports Assistant Directors and Directors in fundraising operations and may handle projects across multiple portfolios.

Key duties include coordinating schedules and meetings, preparing donor communications, and assisting with research and stewardship initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 1–2 years of fundraising or complex admin experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication with stakeholders.
• Ability to manage projects and work independently under pressure.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Good judgment, discretion, and professionalism.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate scheduling and communications with development colleagues and campus leadership.
• Plan trips and travel reimbursements.
• Prepare correspondences, reports, agendas, and donor letters.
• Record reports, proposals, or gift agreements with donors.
• Assist with donor research and stewardship projects.
• Support onboarding and training of Development Associates.
• Facilitate internal team meetings and goal setting.

Skills

Communication

Project management

Organization

Problem solving

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

VIP database

DEFINE

Job description

Job Posting Title:

Development Specialist for Frontline Support Services

Hiring Department:

University Development Office

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details:

About The University of Texas at Austin

What starts here changes the world.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the 40 best universities in the world with top national programs across 19 colleges and schools. By creating educational opportunities for all and leading cutting-edge research at scale, the University fosters positive social change, technological advancement, and economic progress showing the world that change really does start here.

Following our 10-year strategic plan, UT will become the world's highest-impact public research university, unleashing knowledge, opportunity and innovation from the heart of Texas.

Learn more about UT's mission and values, leadership and Change Starts Here strategic plan.

Why Join Texas Development?

The University of Texas at Austin is on the front lines of the future: sparking the imagination, driving discovery and transforming lives. And it's only possible because generous supporters believe in the power and promise of our state's flagship university to change the world.

Together, through one of the largest fundraising efforts in our state's history, we will support our people, amplify the unmatched potential of our place, and lead innovation through world-changing pursuits. With nearly $5 billion raised over the past six years, Texas Development is quickly becoming one of the best fundraising programs in higher education.

Texas Development is a dynamic community of more than 450 fundraising professionals across the Forty Acres. We strive to reach the highest levels of achievement and success in all that we do by creating meaningful and powerful experiences for our donors.

Join us and change the world.

Benefits

• The University provides a competitive benefits package that includes insurance and retirement benefits in addition to other programs and services.
• Texas Development supports growth by offering professional development opportunities that help every team member accomplish their goals, enrich their skillset and deepen their engagement with UT.

Purpose

To support the Frontline Support Services Assistant Directors or Director by providing operational support and strategic leadership by (1) assisting an Assistant Vice President or Executive Director of a fundraising or advancement operations team in the University Development Office (UDO) or (2) performing specialized administrative and programmatic work for a UDO team. The position may also be a combination of both assignments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage scheduling and communications with development colleagues and leadership across campus including internal and external meetings, team retreats, donor campus visits, or other special events.
• Plan trips and make travel arrangements and prepare and submit travel, entertainment, and other miscellaneous reimbursements.
• Compose and prepare correspondences, reports, meeting agendas, thank you letters, and follow-up materials requested as they relate to donors.
• Timely record reports, letters, proposals, or gift agreements following donor contact.
• Assist with prospect and donor research and help strategize and carry out donor stewardship projects and various forms of donor outreach to support the development of respective portfolios.
• Initiate and assist with the development and implementation of individual cultivation, solicitation and actions aligned with institutional values and priorities.
• Assist in the onboarding, training and ongoing assignment of projects to the Development Associates supporting the respective team, in coordination with FSS leadership.
• Facilitate and enhance internal team functions, including team and leadership meetings, professional development opportunities, annual goal setting process, and processes that support team fundraising mission.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• A combination of 1-2 years of experience assisting with fundraising programs or performing complex administrative functions.
• Highly effective communication skills (written, verbal, interpersonal) with internal and external stakeholders.
• Project management skills. Capable of working independently and under pressure, while also engaging in collaboration between teams.
• Excellence in problem-analyzing, problem-solving, and customer service.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills with high attention to detail and accountability.
• Excellent judgement. Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity and professionalism.
• High degree of proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than five years of administrative assistance experience.
• Experience with VIP database and *DEFINE.
• Working knowledge of UT Austin's policies and procedures.

Salary Range

$55,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• This position is based in Austin, Texas.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University Development Office does not sponsor work visas for this position.
• Works in standard office conditions, in a shared office environment, with repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
• Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on-site work is the standard expectation for this position.
• May require additional hours during peak periods and special events.
• Regular and consistent attendance is required in this job.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.