Our Mission We in Boston University Development & Alumni Relations (DAR) harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BU’s global leadership in research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice. To support our work, we have built—and are continuing to build—an outstanding team of dynamic, mission-driven advancement professionals who constantly strive to create an environment where everyone belongs. Where it’s not just about a job, but a career and a community. Now, our Major Gifts team is looking for a Development Associate who will provides support for regionally and/or Parent focused Major Gift Officers (MGOs) and their efforts to secure significant resources in support of university priorities. Major Gifts at Boston University The Major Gifts (MG) team is a regionally based team that covers six regions domestically and is not affiliated with any particular school or college. The MG team focuses on the discovery, qualification, solicitation, and close of major gifts ($100K+). Development Associate The Development Associate (DA) provides support for regionally and/or Parent focused Major Gift Officers (MGOs) and their efforts to secure significant resources in support of university priorities. Reporting to the Manager of Major Gifts Administration, the DA will be assigned to support a regional or Parent focused fundraising team of at least two MGOs and will play a vital role in managing administrative duties (e.g. coordinating travel, expense reports, and database administration), assisting in event development and execution, and help develop and implement prospect strategies as appropriate. The Development Associate must work cooperatively with a wide variety of colleagues and external constituents, including University leadership, faculty, staff, and alumni, to help execute strategies and work toward overall development goals. Responsibilities: Regional Coordination and Administrative Support: + Establish and maintain office, filing and computer/database systems for prospect files and donor giving figures, contact reports, and database tracking updates for two or more Major Gift officers. Run reports from donor database to generate prospect lists. Perform general office support duties, including scheduling meetings, maintaining appointments and calendars, arranging travel, ordering supplies, tracking expenses, screening and directing phone calls and processing university paperwork. Attend office meetings with and/or in place of MGOs. Compose and distribute meeting notes for the MGO team. High Level Development Events planning support: + Assist with all phases of planning, execution and follow-up of certain high level development events. May attend events within the United States. Communication includes direct contact with high-level donors, preparing and disseminating event materials, working with faculty speakers, working with outside vendors and managing logistics. Tasks include: booking space, catering, tracking registrations, running nametags, preparing collaterals (invites, speaker gifts, etc.), tracking event timelines, communicating with colleagues regarding events. Includes post event follow up, and tracking next steps and outreach. Prospect Research and Lead Generation: + Assist in building a roster for MGO outreach. Specific tasks include coordinating with Prospect Management Teams to identify new and existing prospects for MGO portfolios in an organized way to track progress towards successful qualification and timely movement through the moves management process. Successfully master and manage BBEC (constituent data base) to run reports, lists, track activity, and assist fundraisers in prospect management tracking through Fundraising Performance Management CRM. Supply MGO team with Weekly/Monthly reports based on giving, prospecting, and outreach. Execute at least two large prospecting reports per fiscal year for the MGO team. Required Skills + Bachelor’s degree + Three to five years of relative work experience, preferably in a research institution + Some event coordination experience. + Ability to collaborate and multitask, knowledge of constituent database applications. + Must be able to handle confidential material responsibly and interact professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals. + Must have advanced oral/written communications experience But that’s not all we’re looking for; we want someone who embodies our values: + Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect , because we value every member’s contributions and know that leadership can come from anywhere. + Diversity, equity, inclusion , and a commitment to ensuring that each of us knows we belong here. + Integrity in how we work and how we treat one another. + Strategic thinking and curiosity in the relentless pursuit of fresh approaches and measurable results. + Continuous growth and improvement , both as individuals and as a team. + Joy and shared appreciation for working hard toward goals that matter. If this resonates with you and you want to help us in our ambitious next campaign—and maybe do some of your best work as an advancement professional— we encourage you to apply. If you are hesitant to apply because you have not previously performed every responsibility listed in the description, but you do possess transferable skills and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well. To learn more about Development & Alumni Relations at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the DAR Talent website: https://www.bu.edu/dar-talent/ . We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor . If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-358-1796. Required Experience