Staff Assistant, Major & Leadership Gifts, Duke Alumni Engagement and Development (AED)

Duke University - Durham, NC

Full-time - Entry Level

Durham, NC

Educational Services

About the position

This position provides advanced administrative support to two to three Regional Development Directors (RDDs) within the Office of Major & Leadership Gifts. The role involves managing travel arrangements, coordinating events, drafting correspondence, conducting research, and offering logistical support to enhance the effectiveness of the RDDs. The assistant will collaborate with other Development Assistants and administrative staff to ensure smooth operations and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate RDD's trip preparation and travel arrangements, including itinerary establishment and travel binder preparation.
• Prepare and reconcile travel expenses and reimbursements for each RDD supported.
• Contact Duke Alumni, parents, and friends to schedule RDD appointments and respond to donor inquiries.
• Participate in planning events for cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship purposes, serving as a liaison to the University Development special events office.
• Draft a variety of written materials including prospect briefings, letters, and correspondence.
• Gather information from various sources to support the development of gift proposals.
• Develop criteria and follow up on reports required by the RDDs, verifying data and proofing financial reports.
• Research and investigate gift commitments and prepare reports.
• Assist in tracking major gift proposals and contact reports using the moves management database.
• Screen and prioritize mail, email, and documents for the RDDs.
• Maintain RDD calendars and prepare necessary documents for meetings, attending as requested to take minutes.
• Assist in training new employees and share workloads with team members.

Requirements

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs: Calendar, Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Superb attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Outstanding communication skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in event planning or coordination.
• Familiarity with fundraising or development processes.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Paid holidays and vacation time.
• Professional development opportunities.