Development Assistant, Bellisario College of Communications

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

Penn State is currently seeking a Development Assistant for The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications to support fundraising operations within the Office of Development and Alumni Relations. As a member of the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DDAR), you can play an integral role in Penn State’s future and contribute to one of the most successful fundraising and alumni relations operations in the country.

Reporting to the Director of Development and Alumni Relations in the Bellisario College, and working closely with development officers, alumni relations and stewardship colleagues, and central DDAR partners, the Development Assistant will:

• Provide comprehensive administrative and project support to the development team, including the Director of Development and Alumni Relations as well as a frontline fundraiser, in the cultivation, solicitation, and closure of philanthropic gifts;
• Articulate Penn State’s needs, ambitions, and values through excellent informal and formal communications;
• Manage and track proposal submissions, ensure gifts are recorded properly, and coordinate communications with internal and external stakeholders;
• Be responsible for conducting outreach to donors and prospects, scheduling internal and external meetings for development officers, and facilitating travel arrangements as needed;
• Assist in producing development materials such as meeting agendas, solicitation proposals, annual giving appeals, briefing documents, presentations, and stewardship communications;
• Conduct prospect and donor research; collect, compile, and maintain data related to fundraising initiatives;
• Enter, update, and maintain accurate donor and prospect records and coding in fundraising databases; input goals and solicitations while ensuring adherence to applicable guidelines;
• Prepare, review, and distribute reports related to donor engagement, giving activity, participation, and fundraising progress;
• Support prospect management by assisting with strategy development, tracking moves, and monitoring portfolios;
• Serve as a liaison between the Bellisario College of Communications and other DDAR units in cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship processes; supports personalized donor appreciation;
• Assist as needed with planning, coordination, execution, and follow-up for events, volunteer activities, and special initiatives;
• Negotiate and process contracts for necessary development and alumni events venues, caterers, hotels, etc.;
• Monitor and reconcile expenses; manage budget tracking and reporting;
• Provide logistical support for development staff travel, including pre-travel preparation and post-travel follow-up;
• Support annual fundraising goals and planning efforts;
• Perform other administrative and development-related duties as assigned

• 2 or more years of relevant administrative, teaching, tech, fundraising, sales, nonprofit or related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills;
• The ability to create and maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all students and colleagues;
• Experience supporting director-level staff and/or working in a complex, deadline-driven environment is preferred
• Ability to represent Penn State professionally to internal and external stakeholders, including high net-worth individuals
• Exceptional attention to detail, follow-through, and organizational consistency
• Ability to handle highly confidential information with discretion and sound judgment
• Proven ability…