Development Services Specialist

University School of Nashville

Development Service Specialist

Immediately 

University School of Nashville seeks a warm, friendly, and organized Development Service Specialist to assist in the day-to-day operations of the Development Office. The Development Service Specialist will provide primary clerical support to the Director of Development, as well as a wide range of administrative support including donor and gift database management, office management, and event planning, among other duties. A high level of professionalism, organizational skills, and attention to detail is required, in addition to strong interpersonal skills.

This hourly support staff position is full-time (12 months), non-exempt, and reports to the Director of Development. The Development Service Specialist must be available to work 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, as well as for occasional evening and weekend events. 

USN has a deep commitment to equitable and just community spaces. Candidates should have an awareness of the ways in which implicit biases in race, ethnicity, gender identity and socioeconomic class can shape social interactions and community culture. Candidates should be able to translate that awareness into demonstrable actions that promote equitable and just programming. 

The School

University School of Nashville is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational day school with enrollment of over 1,000 students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. In 1915, the George Peabody College for Teachers opened Peabody Demonstration School, USN’s predecessor, which earned acclaim for its curriculum and faculty. In 1974, Peabody College announced plans to close PDS, and a group of parents, alumni, students, and teachers reconstituted and re-chartered the school as University School of Nashville. 

USN’s midtown location adjacent to Vanderbilt University and its Peabody College for Teachers reminds us each day of our beginnings over 108 years ago in the demonstration school culture of innovation and educational best practices. It’s a vibrant educational community for both students and teachers in the midst of a dynamic city.

Responsibilities

Donor and Gift Database Management

• Process all gifts and pledges received through all channels, including online, mail, and in person
• Prepare and manage gift acknowledgement letters, gift receipts, and pledge reminders
• Maintain accurate database records, including updates across databases
• Serve as liaison to the Business Office in reconciling funds and ensuring accuracy in gift allocation
• Create and share queries, exports, call sheets, and mailing lists 
• Produce analytical and financial reports and prepare data exports and donor lists, including lists and analysis for annual Report on Philanthropy
• Research constituents to qualify them for major and special gift cultivation and solicitation; identify potential new prospects, assess capacity and inclination; implement policies and procedures for successful prospect management and research efforts, ensuring that all legal privacy requirements are met and that ethical standards are upheld

Office Management

• Create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the development office
• Greet visitors and ensure phone calls and email inquiries are always answered promptly
• Maintain clean and organized office space for visitors
• Keep supplies stocked in office closet
• Provide general office support to alumni and development office administrators as needed

Other Duties

• Assist with receptions, dinners, and alumni activities
• Provide front desk/reception support weekly 
• Perform other duties as determined by the Director of Development and occasionally the Director

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent; college degree preferred
• Excellent computer skills required
• Experience with database management required, experience with Raiser’s Edge preferred
• Accounting / bookkeeping and/or administrative office management experience preferred

Skills and Abilities

• Be a dependable professional with excellent organization skills, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude
• Possess strong computer skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite
• Manage confidential information with discretion
• Possess strong oral and written communication skills
• Be eager to learn, able to adapt to change, and committed to one’s own professional growth
• Work independently and flexibly in a fast-paced environment and able to juggle multiple priorities
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and other members of the USN community

In the USN community, students expect much of each other, and faculty benefit from that high standard. We seek educators who are enthusiastic about their own learning to complement their work and we offer many opportunities for professional growth. USN is committed to creating an institutional environment that mirrors the cultural and ethnic composition of greater Nashville. USN encourages a diverse applicant pool and provides equal employment opportunities for employees and job applicants.

Please be prepared to upload the following items through USN's online application for this position:

1. Cover Letter

2. Resume