DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE, Development & Alumni Relations

Category

Charles River Campus --> Professional

Job Location

BOSTON, MA, United States

Tracking Code

2550097531210

Posted Date

12/14/2025

Salary Grade

Grade 47

Expected Hiring Range Minimum

$58,000.00

Expected Hiring Range Maximum

$62,000.00

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, training and internal pay comparison. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

Our Mission We in Boston University Advancement harness the power of philanthropy to make an excellent education accessible and welcoming to all, and to advance BUs 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 its not just a job, but a career and a community.

Strategic Program Development, Principal Gifts supports the Senior Vice President of Advancement and the Vice President of Principal, International, and Foundation Advancement in determining strategy for the university's top donors making gifts of 5M . This support includes close collaboration and partnership with the office of the president, provost, deans and other senior fundraisers and university officers around prospect strategy and moves management. This department also oversees events, communications and day to day operations involving these top donors. Development Associate, Strategic Program Development The Development Associate, Strategic Program Development, provides administrative and programmatic support for two or more Principal Gift Officers and assists the Strategic Program Development team in the preparation of materials involving the Presidents Advancement-related activity. With an enhanced emphasis on Principal Gifts as a priority focus area for Boston University, the Development Associate plays an integral role in supporting the teams initiatives with exceptional technical and logistical support. This work includes but is not limited to: managing the data entry of principal gift fundraising plans and outreach; generating donor reports; circulating travel itineraries; ordering supplies; organizing mailings; reconciling expenses; and providing general administrative support for BUs William Fairfield Warren Society which recognizes donors of $1M .

The Development Associate is also responsible for facilitating weekly brainstorming sessions for the principal gift officers with the Director, Strategic Program Development to discuss individual prospect strategies. In addition, the Development Associate works closely with the Assistant Director, Strategic Program Development to coordinate the Presidents Advancement-related travel, including assistance with booking reservations, tracking appointments, and compiling briefing material for the President and other senior University leaders. This work requires impeccable attention to detail and the ability to meet strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Principal Gifts Operations:
• Manage entry of fundraiser activity in donor database, ensuring records are kept up to date, including oversight for donor contact reports, biographical information, plans and proposals.
• Provide administrative support for two or more principal gift officers, including assistance with scheduling, travel, expense tracking, mailings, and events.
• Coordinate and facilitate weekly principal gift officer prospect strategy sessions.
• Attend confidential prospect review meetings as needed and record/distribute meeting minutes.
• Presidential Advancement Support:
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director, Strategic Program Development to prepare confidential briefing materials for presidential prospect visits, events, and travel.
• Coordinate logistics including itineraries, event timelines, talking points, donor research profiles, transportation, lodging, and dining arrangements.
• Maintain accurate records of presidential travel and donor engagement activities.
• Document next steps and action items in the database and assist in monitoring progress of engagement strategies for presidential prospects.
• Assist with mailings and other special projects involving the President's office as needed.
• Principal Gifts Stewardship:
• Maintain the William Fairfield Warren Society membership in the BU database and coordinate the sending of materials to new members (welcome packet, brochure, donor recognition gift, etc.).
• Generate mailing lists for William Fairfield Warren Society medaling ceremonies and provide support for that event, including tracking RSVPs and preparing the published donor roster.
• Provide general administrative support for principal gifts stewardship projects, such as the William Fairfield Warren Society digital Insiders Report, as needed.
  
  

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree
• 1-3 years of related experience, preferably in a complex development setting.
• Knowledge of relevant computer software including Microsoft Excel and strong familiarity with donor-focused CRM systems.
• Extraordinary attention to detail and high level of discretion.
• Must be highly organized and able to manage confidential information. Excellent project management skills and follow through.
• Capacity to work in a fast-paced environment involving high-level stakeholders; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, both in person, on the phone, and virtually but that's not all were looking for; we want someone who embodies our values:
• Teamwork, transparency, and mutual respect, because we value every member contribution 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 campaignand 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, our values, and the defined qualifications, we still want to hear from you and welcome your application as well. To learn more about Advancement at Boston University, and other job opportunities, please stop by the Advancement Talent website: Opportunities for Advancement Professionals.
  
  

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.