Development Specialist II

Rice University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 61,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Rice University’s Wiess School of Natural Sciences seeks a Development Specialist to coordinate donor relations, stewardship, and events under the Dean’s direction. You will support the Natural Sciences development officer, work with faculty, staff, volunteers, and alumni relations teammates to advance fundraising goals.

This is an on-site role with occasional remote work days, requiring coordination, strong communication, and project management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required; related experience may substitute year-for-year.
• 2+ years of related fundraising/development experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate donor follow-up and stewardship activities with Development Officer.
• Identify and execute operational plans for development activities.
• Interact with alumni groups and manage event logistics.
• Maintain development officer schedules and monitor prospect lists.
• Prepare reports, donor acknowledgments, and meeting materials.
• Maintain donor, alumni, and volunteer records in the CRM.

Skills

Fundraising

Communication

Project management

Data analysis

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Donor relations

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

OwlConnect

Job description

Job Description

The Development Specialist serves a vital, interactive role withinthe office of the dean and is responsible for facilitating thenatural sciences development and communications teams in achievingindividual and group goals and coordinating the natural sciencesdonor and alumni efforts. Under the primary direction of the Director of Development, s/heworks directly with development officers, the Dean, faculty, staff,and key volunteers in coordinating the forward momentum of theoverall development effort for the Wiess School of NaturalSciences. The development specialist is the administrative supportfor the natural sciences development officer, assists with theimplementation of stewardship plans for natural sciences, andfacilitates special projects and events for the school.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate for this position has an engaging andcollaborative work ethic, excellent communication skills, and theability to problem-solve creatively as well as prioritize projectswhile fulfilling the in-person requirement needed to succeed inthis position.

Workplace Location

This is an on-site position, Monday – Friday during normal businesshours, with the potential of a remote workday. Occasional extendedhours during the evenings and/or weekends to report on Schoolevents.

Annual Hiring Range :

$61,430 to $65,000, with the hiring salary commensurate with experience andqualifications.

This is an Exempt (salaried) position under the FLSA and is not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional relatedexperience, above and beyond what is required, may be substitutedon an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• Two or more (2+) years of related experience
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional relatededucation above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.
• Skills:
  • Ability to develop and initiate new strategies
  • Advanced problem-solving skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work well under pressure and manage projectssimultaneously
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office suite
  • Strong data analysis skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team to meetexpected deadlines and schedules
  • Adept at problem-solving, creating contingency plans, andhandling issues when necessary
  • Demonstrated experience with fundraising in a higher educationenvironment
  • Strong client service orientation and attention to detail
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly understandand remember details about alumni/donors and projects to which theyare assigned

Essential Functions:

• In conjunction with the Natural Sciences Development Officer,develop and implement systems, processes, and procedures to managedonor follow-up, identify stewardship needs, and facilitatecultivation and stewardship efforts for the School of NaturalSciences
• Identify, recommend, and execute operational plans fordevelopment activities within the School of Natural Sciences
• Interact with natural sciences alumni groups
• Manage and reconcile event and travel budgets
• Maintain schedules for the development officer
• Monitor prospect lists for the development officer
• Plan and coordinate logistics for informational, fundraising,and stewardship meetings for the development officer and thedean
• Collaborate in planning, coordination, and execution of schoolevents
• Conduct prospect and donor research and/or solicit prospect anddonor research from Development and Alumni Relations
• Maintain confidential donor and prospect information
• Maintain donor, alumni, and volunteer records in theuniversity's CRM system (OwlConnect), including processing dataupdates, managing volunteer groups, running batches, and supportingaccurate constituent and engagement records.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Functions:

• Prepare correspondence, reports, donor acknowledgments, andmeeting materials in support of development and stewardshipactivities.
• Assist with special projects and key initiatives, including the24-Hour Challenge, donor visits, and Division of Development andAlumni Relations (DAR) onboarding activities for the Wiess Schoolof Natural Sciences.

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

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal EmploymentOpportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into ourcandidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employmentwithout regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexualorientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, geneticinformation, 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 intouch 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 yourinterest in employment with Rice University.