About the Department:

University Life Advancement exists to provide strategic, active management of the fundraising efforts for the division of University Life (UL).

About the Position:

The Advancement Operations Manager is responsible for administrative support for the UL Advancement team, including inputting activities and updating advancement databases; creating, managing, and analyzing reports; providing back-end donor relations support; overseeing the donor-funded scholarship allocation process; supporting the University Life Advisory Board; and coordinating annual giving appeals, e-communications, and alumni and donor event operations. This position ensures smooth operations and coordination with Central Advancement, the University Foundation, and University Life.

Responsibilities:

Advancement Operations

• Provides the full range of operational functions for the Director of Advancement for University Life and the advancement team including administrative support, database management, and generating donor and prospect lists and reports;
• Acts as the first point of contact for the advancement department and handles incoming inquiries & questions;
• Performs and coordinates department financial reporting & reconciliations, including Foundation p-card usage by UL staff;
• Ensures donor records are clear, complete and accurate;
• Works with Central Advancement and GMU Foundation in gifts processing, foundation fund creation and administration, and when necessary, Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) interface;
• Improves office operations through data-driven, strategic planning to maximize efficiency; and
• Maintains accurate and timely records using appropriate George Mason University and GMUF systems, and following George Mason and GMUF policies and procedures. 

Donor Relations

• Develops an executive stewardship plan for UL donors that includes creative and effective ways to increase engagement and support, and ensures donors are thanked in a timely manner;
• Runs routine gift reports;
• Ensures UL donors and alumni are included in University-wide stewardship events;
• Coordinates with UL units and students in executing stewardship plans (i.e. writing thank you correspondence, filming videos, etc.); and
• Oversees all activities related to the administration of donor-funded scholarships housed in UL, including ensuring appropriate and timely allocation of funds and student-story-centered stewardship. 

Events & Special Projects

• Organizes and implements UL Advancement events, including but not limited to alumni engagement opportunities, fundraisers (i.e. Diversity Scholarship Golf Classic), and donor cultivation and stewardship activities; occasional travel to off-site locations is required;
• Coordinates bio profiles on key attendees and distributes to UL leadership prior to events, as needed;
• Utilizing Mason’s Anthology software, coordinates the production of invitations, rsvp’s of guest lists, and all communications with attendees prior to and following events;
• Supports UL units in planning and executing advancement-related events and serves as liaison between units and Central Advancement for event registrations, event reporting, event communications, etc.;
• Coordinates annual giving appeals for UL units, including serving as a liaison between UL and Central Advancement/Office of Annual Giving;
• Serves as a liaison to the University Life Advisory Board and supports administrative functions of the board as needed; and
• Other related duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated experience in successfully managing multiple projects at a time;
• Demonstrated experience in successfully planning events;
• Administrative experience;
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of alumni, faculty, staff, donors, students and colleagues throughout the university;
• Effective oral and written communication skills;
• Effective organization and time-management skills, with a proven track record of executive administrative work;
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills;
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and meet deadlines;
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with appropriate discretion;
• Attention to detail and follow-through;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite;
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours for events as needed; and
• Valid driver's license: must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in higher education;
• Experience with advancement software and/or databases;
• Demonstrated experience developing and executing fundraising strategies; and
• Demonstrated experience working in advancement in higher education or for a not for profit.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Advancement Operations Manager at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter/Letter of Intent with Resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: October 29, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  November 12, 2024

Open Until Filled:  Yes