Assistant, Office of Principal Gifts (VPUR)

University of Maryland•College Park, MD

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Division of University Relations (UR) encompasses a variety of offices and departments whose shared mission is to advance the university's goals through philanthropic fundraising and meaningful engagement with alumni and friends of the university as well as the greater community. The Office of Principal Gifts is dedicated to guiding the University's relationship-building efforts with prospective donors having the capacity to contribute $1 million and more. Principal Gifts is responsible for the highest capacity prospects (with giving capacities of $5M to $100M+) and actively coordinates, guides, and supports the cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activity conducted by the University's President, Provost, Vice President for University Relations, and other university leadership. Currently, the Office of Principal Gifts seeks an experienced Assistant to provide high- level administrative support for the Assistant Vice President for Principal Gifts. This role is responsible for strategic oversight of the AVP’s day-to-day schedule and long-term calendar; distributing/tracking progress on action items arising from the Assistant Vice President’s workflow, managing all logistics for the AVP’s travel, and serving as the initial point of contact for the office. The Assistant will coordinate meetings with internal and external stakeholders, assist with compiling and preparing briefing materials, and independently manage the team with donor entries in the database, while ensuring the confidentiality of information. In collaboration with the Assistant Director and contacts within schools and units, they will manage the outreach briefing process for the President, Provost, Vice President for University Relations, and other university leadership. Through this collaboration, they will ensure leadership is properly prepared for all engagements with principal gift donors and prospects. The Assistant must be a self-starter with excellent organizational skills. They must be able to work independently, be creative, and welcome professional challenges. This person must be able to act with discretion and handle confidential donor information appropriately. This role requires the flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to respond to short deadlines and assist with special events/projects and other campus activities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Five (5) years of professional administrative experience.
Knowledge of executive-level administrative practices, office procedures, and operational workflows.
Knowledge of professional correspondence, report preparation, and presentation development.
Knowledge of confidentiality protocols and ethical handling of sensitive information.
Knowledge of meeting and event planning, including logistics, materials, and documentation.
Knowledge of project coordination principles, tracking deliverables, and process improvement techniques.
Skill in managing complex calendars, travel arrangements, and scheduling for multiple executives.
Skill in drafting, proofreading, and editing professional communications and reports.
Skill in organizing and maintaining electronic and physical filing systems.
Skill in coordinating cross-departmental communication and serving as a liaison between leadership and stakeholders.
Skill in utilizing office software and technology tools to enhance administrative efficiency.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in sensitive or confidential matters.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to facilitate effective communication between executives, staff, and external partners.
Ability to lead process improvement initiatives and provide guidance to junior staff.
Ability to plan, execute, and manage events, meetings, and departmental initiatives efficiently.

Nice To Haves

Handle sensitive materials and information with professional discretion and tact.
Friendly, flexible, and positive service-oriented demeanor.
Ability to work in a highly independent manner across functions within the university.
Proven ability to make effective use of time, set priorities, plan ahead, and manage multiple projects.
Pay strict attention to details.
Understanding of development principles and experience in a non-profit, higher education institution, or similar organization that supports top-level management in engaging with external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Strategic oversight of the AVP’s day-to-day schedule and long-term calendar
Distributing/tracking progress on action items arising from the Assistant Vice President’s workflow
Managing all logistics for the AVP’s travel
Serving as the initial point of contact for the office
Coordinating meetings with internal and external stakeholders
Assisting with compiling and preparing briefing materials
Independently managing the team with donor entries in the database, while ensuring the confidentiality of information
Managing the outreach briefing process for the President, Provost, Vice President for University Relations, and other university leadership
Ensuring leadership is properly prepared for all engagements with principal gift donors and prospects