Foundation Specialist

Ferris State University•Big Rapids, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Serves as a key point of contact for the Foundation and Advancement Team and provides administrative support to the Associate Vice President for Advancement/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation, the Director of Leadership Giving/Associate Director of The Ferris Foundation, and philanthropy officers. Position requires a significant degree of decision-making and independent action. Interacts tactfully and diplomatically with the campus community, vendors, donors, community members, and other University constituents.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or work experience equivalent (see below)
Satisfactory completion of two years of college or equivalent.
Three years of relevant leadership experience.
Experience with computer software applications, preferably Microsoft Office and a customer/donor database.
Demonstrated experience working independently, organizing own work, and coordinating others' work activities.
Be exceptionally well-organized and detail-oriented.
Be proactive, resourceful, and efficient.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Competency with grammar and proofreading skills.
Coordinate projects and workflow in an efficient manner
Be tactful and courteous at all times.
Successfully interact with a diverse range of students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and visitors in various situations.
Plan, organize, and make sound judgments and decisions.
Perform relevant research.
Work cooperatively in a fast-paced, demanding atmosphere.
Respond appropriately, efficiently, and positively to direction from supervisors and others.
Perform complex computer operations using a variety of software applications.
Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.

Nice To Haves

Work some nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

Provide responsible, independent administrative support for the Associate Vice President/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation and the Director of Leadership Giving & Relationships/Associate Director of The Ferris Foundation.
Coordinate and manage various office tasks, including budgeting assistance, to ensure smooth department operations.
Communicate effectively and promote a positive image of University Advancement and The Ferris Foundation.
Coordinate a variety of University Advancement duties that require discretion and/or judgment.
Manage executive calendars, including scheduling meetings, appointments, and travel arrangements.
Receive information in various forms and determine the appropriate processing method.
Provide positive interactions with donors, external and internal constituents, and staff at all levels, operating with courtesy and professionalism.
Create, maintain, and update files and recordkeeping systems.
Disseminate information that may require explanation and interpretation of established university and departmental policies and procedures, and direct individuals to sources of additional information.
Manage multiple, rapidly changing priorities to meet the office's needs.
Prepare and process office documents, including purchase orders, contracts/service agreements, and travel requests and expense reports, for the Associate VP for Advancement/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation and the Director of Leadership Giving/Associate Director of The Ferris Foundation.
Independently answers inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources, providing explanation and interpretive information on policies, practices, and procedures.
Requests, searches for, retrieves, and analyzes information from a variety of internal and external sources, and compiles it in a usable format. Compiles data and produces materials for presentations and proposals.
Composes, drafts, proofreads, and edits correspondence, reports, meeting minutes, and other material.
Assists in planning major events/meetings.
Serves as the main point of contact for administrative work for the Ferris Foundation Board of Directors.
Coordinates correspondence for the Associate Vice President/Executive Director of The Ferris Foundation and the Director of Leadership Giving/Associate Director of Ferris Foundation.
Respond to donor inquiries and follow up with appropriate responses.
May supervise student workers.
Serve as liaison within and outside the University with a variety of constituents.
Work with confidential documents and issues.
Assist with record-keeping, filing, and archival maintenance.
Provide administrative assistance to Philanthropy Officers as needed.
Carries out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.
Responsible for maintaining confidentiality of information pursuant to university policies and/or state or federal laws.
Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.