What are the responsibilities and job description for the Development Specialist position at University of Wisconsin- River Falls?
Posting Details
Position Information
UW - System Position Title
Development Specialist
Business Title
Major Department Code
University Advancement (J023100)
Appointment Type
Academic Staff-Fixed Term Renewable
FLSA Status
Exempt
FTE (Percentage of Appointment)
100
Typical Working Schedule
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F, with some evenings and weekend responsibilities.
Hybrid or On Campus
Hybrid
Position Summary
The Development Specialist plays a key role in maintaining the smooth operation of fundraising and stewardship efforts to ensure prospective and existing donors feel valued and encouraged to provide continued and increasing levels of giving to UWRF. The position assists in the planning, promotion and execution of development events, leads the creation and updating of informational materials, interacts with stakeholder groups to cultivate and maintain relationships, and leads reporting efforts on the effectiveness of development activities of the unit.
Responsibilities
Fundraising and Strategic Support
- Serves as a key liaison to the Assistant Chancellor of University Advancement, facilitating strategic initiatives, managing scheduling priorities, and coordinating high-level campus and development team meetings.
- Develops and manages meeting agendas, ensures timely preparation of materials, and oversees logistical arrangements, including travel planning, to support advancement goals.
- Leads the coordination and execution of bi-weekly development team meetings, ensuring alignment with fundraising priorities by preparing comprehensive reports on donor activity, prospect assignments, and team performance metrics.
- Actively participates in development team meetings, capturing key discussions, tracking action items, and executing follow-ups such as prospect reassignments and new prospect coordination with the Foundation database administrator.
- Assists with the development of strategic planning initiatives and objectives, program budgets, and monitors activity to ensure adherence to established guidelines.
- Completes basic prospect and donor research activities for fundraisers as they develop relationships with prospects and donors.
- Undertakes special projects and additional responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Chancellor, contributing to the overall effectiveness and success of the advancement program.
Gift Acknowledgment and Reporting
- Develops and coordinates timely thank-you letters and personalized donor acknowledgments.
- Creates and distributes stewardship materials including annual endowment activity reports, newsletters and impact reports that highlight how donations benefit students and programs.
- Tracks donor history and contributions to ensure appropriate recognition and stewardship.
Donor Relations and Stewardship
- Collects, prepares, and analyzes donor information and event data and provides subsequent recommendations for improvement and enhancement.
- Coordinates the annual disbursement of student thank-you letters and testimonials for scholarship and endowment donors.
- Develops and produces a variety of communications for donors including birthday cards, thank you cards and holiday cards.
- Initiates social media and website content that highlights donor contributions.
- Acts as a reference person for UWRF department and college stewardship efforts.
- Serves as a point of contact for internal and external stakeholders at meetings and activities to advocate for and promote the interests of the unit.
- Tracks stewardship expenses and complete stewardship activities within budget.
Event Coordination
- Develops and implements donor appreciation events including an annual scholarship recognition gathering, employee recognition, and donor society member events.
- Manages logistics and secures resources for event and program activities, facilities, participants, and vendors adhering to established timelines and expectations.
- Assists with the design, development, and delivery of marketing and communication materials and other event publications to promote development events and programs.
- Supports fundraisers in logistics for fundraising events and campus visits for major donors and benefactors.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in applicable field.
- Two years of full-time related work experience.
- Highly organized and detail oriented.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage several projects simultaneously.
- Ability to apply independent judgment, discretion, and initiative to address problems and develop practical, thorough, and creative solutions.
- Experience working in databases to enter data and extract reports.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in a non-profit setting.
- Advanced level experience with Microsoft Office.
- Experience with e-communication tools such as Constant Contact.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
AAF01046
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
06/30/2025
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
04/21/2025
Closing Date
05/16/2025
Applicant Review Date
05/20/2025
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications. Applicants are required to provide:
- Resume
- Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)
Inquiries should be addressed to:
Kimberly Gould Speckman
Kimberly Gould Speckman
Search Chair
kimberly.gould-speckman@uwrf.edu
Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials on or before May 16, 2025.
Employees receive excellent benefits including exceptionally low-cost comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits; employer match of Wisconsin Retirement System contributions of 6.95%; an attractive amount of paid leave per year in addition to paid sick leave. To learn more about our benefits, go to:
UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.
Legal Notices
EEO/AA Statement
UW-River Falls is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer subject to all state and federal regulations pertaining to non-discrimination based upon sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, disability, marital status, age, arrest and/or conviction record, veteran or military status. All persons, especially women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Employment is subject to federal laws that require verification of your identity and legal right to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the final candidates may be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
Title IX Notice
As required by Title IX and federal regulations, UW-River Falls does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs or activities, including in admission and employment. Questions about the application of Title IX may be referred to UWRF’s Title IX Coordinator at titleix@uwrf.edu; the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights; or both. For more information, please see uwrf.edu/titleIX.
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies can be viewed at or call University Police at 715-425-3133 for a paper copy.
Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. Final candidates will be required to provide three professional references with at least one being a prior supervisor. Misconduct checks will be completed and a personnel file review for any University of Wisconsin or State employee within the past seven years prior to hire per UW System Administrative Policy 1275.
Other Notices
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Optional Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter/Letter of Application
