Principal Gifts Coordinator

Position Summary

Come join a growing team at the UConn Foundation

The Principal Gifts Coordinator is a pivotal role in the management of the Foundation's principal gift program. In this position, you will support the Assistant Vice President for Principal Gifts and the School of Business and other members of the principal gift team, streamlining the execution of critical components within the program. As a key liaison among the Foundation, University leaders, and donors, you will organize logistics for specific projects at the Principal Gift (PG) level, refine processes to bolster strategic initiatives, and support daily office operations. You will be the primary contact for administrative assistance for the Assistant Vice President for Principal Gifts and the School of Business. Positioned within the Principal Gift Office—a department dedicated to nurturing the University's most significant donor relationships— you will play a vital role in facilitating high-level donor engagement and stewardship activities, as well as the development of proposal-based solicitations.

About the UConn Foundation:

Joining our team—and UConn Nation—means championing an institution with top-ranked academic programs and 24 NCAA national championships. The UConn Foundation is building momentum for the public launch of a comprehensive fundraising campaign to support UConn. We're looking for talented professionals with the drive to keep our university on top and who share our values of excellence, innovation, and flexibility, as well as a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In this role, you will:

• Support the AVP for Principal Gifts and School of Business in tasks linked to the Principal Gift Office, encompassing the coordination of meetings, strategic follow-ups, and facilitating follow up from qualification/engagement discussions as well as unit-based principal gift sessions.
• Provide administrative support for AVP for Principal Gifts and School of Business such as calendaring, budgeting, travel, research requests and overall administrative support for the PG office.
• Assist with the development and implementation of processes and protocols in support of the reporting and tracking of PG prospect strategy execution, PG fundraising progress and relaying the information to various internal and external leadership groups.
• Work closely with senior leadership to ensure alignment of principal gift operations with the broader goals of the Foundation or University.
• Maintain accurate data on priority relationships within our CRM, including oversight on key portfolios for Foundation and University Leadership.
• Initiate comprehensive prospect meeting briefs, leadership requests/briefs, collaborating closely with Prospect Research to delve deeper into information when required.
• Manage and plan on-site visits tailored for our principal-level & lead campaign donors including venue selection, meal planning, agendas, etc. Ensure proper follow up and stewardship.
• Collaborate with the Research Department to assist with reporting and data needs as requested.
• Collaborate with multiple Foundation departments and University units to organize and coordinate special projects and initiatives related to campaign and principal gifts.
• Assist in streamlining principal gift-level proposal process, ensuring detailed, tailored, and effective strategies for priority donor solicitations.
• Other duties as assigned.

To be successful in this role, you should:

• Be a well-organized, self-starter who can manage time effectively and who has excellent written and oral communication skills, including proofreading.
• Value diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced, hybrid environment.
• Be able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team to meet organizational goals.
• Exercise independent judgement with regard to work responsibilities, prioritization of workload, and foreseeing the needs of the team.
• Possess a strong ability to effectively review complex documents with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrate integrity in dealing with confidential information.
• Be dependable and flexible to adapt to change.
• Be able to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.

Education and Experience

We provide a broad set of requirements to be inclusive of people of all backgrounds and experiences. If you think you have the skills for the position, we want to hear from you. Even if this is not the right role, we may know of opportunities elsewhere or have future opportunities that better match your skill set.

• Associate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in an administrative support or project management capacity with an understanding or appreciation for non-profits.
• Proficient with MS Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel. Demonstrated ability to work in multiple system environments.

Salary:

The expected salary for this position is $53,000+. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule (typically two days per week in office), you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. We recognize that a true commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requires ongoing education and action, and we strive for continued growth each and every day.

Please inform a Human Resources Representative if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.