Assistant Director of Gift Administration, Special Gifts

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

Gifts Administration

Time Type: Full time

Work Modality: Hybrid 02 (On Campus 2 days/Week)

Union: Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts is a critical member of a high-performing and centralized gift administration team. The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts will be the primary liaison to field the most complex contributions as well as the high-profile donations received by the university. The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts will assist the Director in the successful recording, maintenance, receipting, documentation, and collection of complex philanthropic contributions in accordance with the policies and procedures as needed. The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts will work in tandem with the Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Operations to maintain consistency and stability in the operations across the team.

Essential Functions:

1) Handle Specialized Gifts: The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts will support the Director and work closely with the Assistant Director of Gift Administration - Operations to handle high-profile contributions received by the university, as and when needed including but not limited to:

Gifts and pledges of $1,000 or more.

Contributions from trustees and other high-level volunteer leaders.

Contributions from members of the President’s Council.

Corporate in-kind gifts, eligible corporate discounts, and other corporate philanthropic contributions.

Personal in-kind gifts.

Securities gifts.

Estates in administration.

IRA roll-over gifts.

DAF gifts.

Other planned gifts.

Non-federal grants.

2) Data Maintenance: The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts will also utilize their institutional knowledge and expertise to analyze existing contribution data and suggest improvements within CRM Advance particularly as it relates to ‘Contributions’. The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts will periodically initiate and seek approval from the Director on any large-scale or new maintenance projects related to the accuracy of the data.

3) Coordination and Communication:

The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts will maintain frequent contact with fundraisers and DAR to assist with the proper handling of upcoming transfers and receiving of gifts included but not limited to Pledges/Matching Gifts/Portals/Wires/Stock Gifts.

The Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Special Gifts will also work in close collaboration with the Assistant Director of Gift Administration – Operations to identify and coordinate their existing workload and will adhere to all the procedural instructions applicable across the team.

Monitor all communication requests (incoming/outbound) relevant to specialized gifts and high-profile donations.

Review and coordinate routinely with the Director to ensure newly received Gift Agreements meet the requirements for processing into the donor database.

Coordinate with Finance on an ongoing basis to maintain current designation accounts as well as the creation of new designation accounts in the database.

Establish communication channels with development officers, divisional business officers, finance staff and other administrators as needed.

Assists the Director and coordinates with the Donor Relations unit in the production of pledge reminders, the completion of the annual pledge write-off review, and with other joint projects.

Assists in making recommendations regarding the eligibility of grants for database entry and inclusion in DAR cash and commitment reports. Supports the Director to ensure that all eligible grants are promptly and accurately entered in the development database.

Assist the Director in recommending and implementing industry best practices to enhance and improve performance of the Gift Administration unit.

4) Ancillary Responsibilities: Performs other related duties as requested or required.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-Time.

Exempt.

Sr Coordinator/Sr Analyst B .

This position may be designated as essential and required to work during the university’s winter holiday break.

Salary Range:

Commensurate with experience.

Required Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

Three to five years of experience in development, accounting, finance, or a related field is required.

Experience working with relational databases and executing data entry are required, preferably in an accounting or fundraising environment.

Meticulous manner and strict attention to detail are required.

Ability to maintain the highest levels of accuracy and excellent organizational skills, and ability to meet deadlines are required.

Ability to identify and articulate software problems and communicate those to both technical and non-technical stakeholders is required.

Interest in fundraising and alumni relations priorities, best practices, basic industry vocabulary, and general operations is required.

Discretion and ability to process confidential information in a timely, accurate, and professional manner are required.

Proficiency with CRM Advance, MS Office, particularly Word and Excel, are required.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email .

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

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