Job Description Summary

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.

Preferences:

• 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.

Physical Demands:
Work is performed in a hybrid work environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards. It requires the ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends required to respond to short deadlines, and to assist with special events/projects or other campus activities.

Licenses/ Certifications: N/A

• All applications should include a resume and cover letter.

This position does not provide visa sponsorship now or in the future. Candidates must be able to provide proof of ongoing eligibility to work in the USA.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Five (5) years of professional administrative experience.

Other: Additional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year for year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

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.

Additional Job Details

Preferences:

Job Risks

Not Applicable to This Position

Financial Disclosure Required

No

Department

VPUR-Principal Gifts

Worker Sub-Type

Staff Regular

Salary Range

$82,691-$99,229.20

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice

Resources

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