Development Administrator

KU Endowment is an independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising foundation for the University of Kansas. The Development Administrator position provides comprehensive administrative and operational support to multiple fundraising staff members, acting as a liaison to key leaders and ensuring effective communication and coordination within the development department.

Responsibilities

• Support the daily operations of assigned development officers, including scheduling, meeting coordination, travel arrangements, and processing expense reimbursements
• Collaborate with university partners, including deans and departmental staff, to address inquiries, support fundraising initiatives, and respond to questions regarding fund usage and donor intent
• Serve as a primary point of contact for department chairs and program directors, ensuring timely and accurate responses to information requests
• Maintain thorough and accurate documentation of donor interactions, pledges, and communications, ensuring adherence to KU Endowment policies and confidentiality standards
• Prepare and organize donor-related materials, including new fund establishment, pledge commitment, deferred gifts forms
• Draft fund administrative agreements and guide through the necessary approval and submission processes ensuring timely coordination and follow-up with the Stewardship Department as needed
• Research departmental information and prepare briefing materials to assist development officers and campus leadership in donor meetings
• Draft correspondence, including donor acknowledgments and thank-you letters, and generate reports on giving history, fund activity, and donor engagement
• Answer phone inquiries from prospective donors and direct them to the appropriate development staff member
• Organize and maintain physical and digital files related to the constituencies served
• Provide backup administrative support for other areas during staff absences or transitions
• Assist with the planning and execution of donor recognition events and other development-related programs
• Consistently follow organizational policies and guidelines related to data privacy and handling of confidential information
• Demonstrate reliability through consistent attendance and the ability to manage responsibilities independently
• Regular and reliable attendance is essential for this position
• Performs other duties as may be assigned

Skills

• A minimum Highschool Diploma or GED equivalent
• 1+ years of administrative support experience with considerable skills in development support processes
• Experience in interaction with staff, faculty, and donors
• Drafting and processing correspondence
• Preparing mass mailing lists
• Scheduling meetings
• Making travel arrangements
• Processing reimbursements
• Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships inside and outside KU Endowment
• Ability to adapt to new procedures and technology
• Experience with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook), and with databases
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Proficient in English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and basic math and statistics
• Attention to detail and the ability to exercise good judgment in making decisions
• Demonstrated ability to organize, plan, and set priorities with minimal supervision
• A valid driver's license
• Access to reliable transportation to travel between multiple locations for training, donor meetings, networking, events and/or work-related activities
• Ability to respond quickly and effectively to directions and safety hazards
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer)
• Ability to communicate with others effectively
• Physical effort/lifting, light-up to 25 pounds
• Familiarity with KU Endowment and the University of Kansas
• Capacity to adapt quickly to major and minor changes in projects and outcomes
• Ability to work as part of a team to establish and maintain professional effective working relationships with board members, university partners, volunteers, and KU Endowment staff

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid pension plan
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) matching program
• Section 125 flexible benefits
• Generous paid leave including holidays, personal and sick leave
• Volunteer and community engagement opportunities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Legal & ID Theft protection
• Critical Illness
• Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance
• KU education assistance
• Free parking

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