Development Coordinator

Job Description:

The Development Coordinator is an integral member of the Development team and plays a critical role for the Division of Advancement in supporting the work of the broader Development Team and the Principal Gift Program in coordination with the Vice President of Development (VP). This position will provide high-level support to the VP and assist in managing a portfolio of 50–60 principal gift prospects capable of giving $5M+ by coordinating communications and stewardship to prepare them for gift solicitations. With deep knowledge of donor interests and key university priorities, this position will advance major and principal gift strategy development and high-level donor engagement, in coordination with the VP, by drafting strategy plans, briefings, and correspondence, and overseeing general stewardship responsibilities. 

In close consultation with the VP, the Coordinator will support the management of the Principal Gift Program to advance gifts of $5 million and above for the President's priorities, which account for over 50% of the new gifts and pledges secured by the Division of Advancement annually. To accomplish this, the Coordinator will communicate essential information about programs and funding opportunities to major and principal gift fundraisers for cultivation and proposal development; coordinate prospect-related interactions and events involving the President and Provost, including briefings and correspondence on behalf of the President and Provost; maintain a repository of relevant proposals for all major and principal gift fundraisers to advance fundraising priorities for both the Office of the President and the Provost in support of the capital campaign; and coordinate special stewardship activities that utilize the President and the Provost in support of the Principal Gift Program.

This position handles the following tasks, including but not limited to meeting scheduling, management of multiple proposal pipelines, high-level event coordination and follow-up, and strategic and logistical support to the VP. This includes being responsible for most information technology tasks and functions as it relates to the VP. This position also serves as a key representative for the VP across the Advancement division.

To be successful, the Coordinator needs a deep understanding of the University's initiatives, culture, and key stakeholders. The Coordinator must stay well-informed about critical donor relationships to effectively prioritize tasks and adapt to shifting priorities that impact University leadership. This role requires routine collaboration with colleagues across the institution, including Advancement leadership, Alumni Relations, and faculty members. The successful candidate will strictly follow division policies, possess excellent communication and writing skills, build strong internal relationships, and bring a proactive, highly organized, professional, and positive attitude to the team.

The Coordinator must be located in the Providence, RI area.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience 
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a related field such as development, customer relations, administration, and/or relevant higher education experience.
• Experience in event management is desired.

Job Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills are necessary for building relationships with external (donors, prospects, trustees) and internal (deans, faculty, staff, colleagues) constituents. Highly collaborative in approach.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to initiate, collaborate, implement, monitor, evaluate, and support strategic plans that support the activities of the program and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of Advancement and the fundraising enterprise.
• Proficient with audio/visual and presentation platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams or WebEx, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Expertise in Microsoft and Google platforms, especially Google Calendar and email, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently with strong project/time management skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent customer relations and relationship-building skills, and a high level of tact, discretion, and diplomacy are required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to successfully interact with faculty, senior administration, and high-profile alumni.
• Ability to apply tact and maintain confidentiality. 
• Must be able and willing to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Blackbaud CRM preferred. 
• Experience using AI-powered tools to support proposal writing, build presentations, and administrative workflows.
• Some exposure to data analytics and reporting tools to help interpret trends, track engagement, and support strategic decision-making.
• Some experience in synthesizing and presenting data clearly through reports, dashboards, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations.

Background Check: All offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and education verification satisfactory to Brown.

Additional Information: Please submit a resume and cover letter when applying for this position.

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Benefits of Working at Brown:

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Submission Guidelines:

The designated Position Work Location for each position determines the approved modality of work. Positions are classified based on the operational and business needs of the department and may be designated as on-site, hybrid, or remote.

Employees with a designated position work location as remote must reside and perform their work in a state where Brown University is registered to do business. Brown University is a registered employer in the following states: Rhode Island, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Washington, D.C.

Please note that to be considered for a staff position at Brown University, you must submit a separate application for each position you wish to be considered for. Applications are reviewed only for the specific position to which they are submitted and are not automatically considered for future openings.  

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

Brown is an E-Verify Employer.

EEO Statement:

Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, in the administration of its policies, programs, and activities. The University recognizes and rewards individuals on the basis of qualifications and performance. The University maintains certain affirmative action programs in compliance with applicable law.