Job Details

Development Gift Specialist (HR Title: Advancement Records Specialist 1)



Hourly Range:

$21.83 an hour

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fund-raising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Development Gift Specialist position is responsible for the daily processing of charitable contributions to the University in a timely manner working within IRS and CASE guidelines.

This role handles gift processing & maintenance of University constituent data which includes project work involving data updates and generating charitable tax receipts while providing stellar customer service & demonstrating keen problem solving skills.

Duties & responsibilities include (not limited to): processing gifts & updating donors' biographical & demographical information in SMU's constituent database; maintaining & updating information, creating & modifying data, assisting with data cleanup, & document imaging.

The position requires a high degree of professionalism, attention to detail, and an awareness and involvement in preparing and/or approving financial deposits.

Essential Functions:

• 
  Gift Processing: preprocess and enter gifts, pledges, and transactional information into the University's donor database from a number of different sources and payment methods. Complete all tasks associated with electronically batched gift entry to ensure timely charitable receipts and donor stewardship, including appropriate biographical and demographic information.
  
• 
  Gift/Pledge Entry: perform documented steps to record complex transactions such as pledges, planned gifts, in-kind and stock gifts, pre-deposit and matching payment transactions. Accuracy is the primary objective. Analyze gift documentation to determine legal donor, gift category, appropriate fund, and gift eligibility. Work with gift officers to coordinate appropriate pledge application.
  
• 
  Data Management: verify and update biographical information in donor database from a multitude of sources; scan and link revenue documentation into imaging system; maintain accurate constituent gift biographical history records through research and corrections. Special database clean-up projects on a scheduled and as needed basis.
  
• 
  Other duties: sort & group gifts received by mail & in person following intake best practices; manage processes: pledge payment reminders, tax receipts, recurring gifts & automated pledge payments. Make informed decisions about proper entry, allocation, & documentation of University donations. Communicate with internal & external stakeholders as needed & staff department email/phone "Help" lines.
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's preferred.

A minimum of one year of full-time work experience is required. Experience working in an accounting or financial role with revenue or accounting database & cash or cash equivalents balancing deposits to accounts is also required.

Database, data entry, and/or data processing is strongly preferred. Experience working in a Gift Administration team environment with a relational database desired. Experience working with a non-profit or in higher education is a plus.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills. Demonstrated experience in a customer service environment requiring diplomacy and professionalism with the ability to work with people with varying technical skills is required.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills. Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines is essential.

Strong analytical and research skills along with a strong focus on attention to detail is essential. Strong self-motivation and willingness to take on responsibilities beyond those explicitly defined is required. Ability to safeguard confidential information and adhere to database security protocols is also required. The ability to use proper judgment interpreting existing data (historical precedent, supporting documentation) in determining allocation of donations is essential.

Intermediate skill and ability using Microsoft Excel is required. Knowledge of & ability to apply fundamental accounting concepts & practices is also required.

Experience with a relational database desired, preferably with Blackbaud Enterprise CRM OR Raiser's Edge. Knowledge of donor/CRM database, IRS charitable guidelines and CASE standards preferred. Experience with a document imaging system is a plus.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

March 27, 2024

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by March 20, 2024.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.

Primary Location: USA-TX-Dallas

Job: Development

Organization: DEA - Donor Services

Schedule: Regular

Shift: Staff

Employee Status: Individual Contributor

Job Type: Full-time

Job Level: Day Job

Travel: No

Job Posting: Mar 8, 2024, 3:37:44 PM

To apply, visit https://smu.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=DEA00000424&tz=GMT%2B00%3A00&tzname=UTC







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