Project Coordinator, Schools and Units

Job Overview

University Advancement is responsible for leading the university's alumni engagement and fundraising efforts and seeks to promote a culture of philanthropy throughout the university community, including alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, corporations and foundations, patients, and other friends. Our goal is to advance GW's mission of excellence in education, research, scholarship, and patient care.

The Project Coordinator, Schools and Units plays a critical role in ensuring the coordination, alignment, and execution of fundraising and engagement operations across seven schools and units in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven environment. This position focuses on managing projects, timelines, workflows, and reporting that enable frontline fundraising teams and advancement leadership to achieve aspirational goals.

The Project Coordinator reports to the Associate Vice President (AVP), Schools and Units and provides project coordination and operational support to the Assistant Vice President, University Advancement - Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (50%), the Assistant Vice President - Elliott School of International Affairs (25%), and other school and unit‑based Advancement teams (25%).

The Project Coordinator provides project‑based, programmatic, and operational coordination for a wide range of advancement initiatives. This role emphasizes planning, tracking, alignment, and execution rather than direct fundraising.

• Coordinate and execute advancement‑related projects and programs that support fundraising, stewardship, and constituent engagement goals across assigned schools and units.
• Develop, manage, and maintain comprehensive project timelines, calendars, and workflows to ensure initiatives, events, and engagements are executed on schedule and within defined budgets.
• Track, monitor, and document fundraising activity, events, donor strategies, metrics, and follow‑up actions to ensure accountability and timely execution.
• Prepare, compile, analyze, and disseminate reports, briefings, and materials that inform leadership decision‑making and fundraising strategies.
• Support constituent engagement activities by managing acknowledgment process, donor research coordination, advisory council logistics, and stewardship reporting.
• Coordinate internal and external meetings, events, and donor engagements, including agenda development, logistics, vendor and facilities coordination, contract management, and post‑meeting follow‑up.
• Provide enhanced administrative and operational support to select school‑based Assistant Vice Presidents and assist with leadership coverage as needed.
• Act as a thought partner in program development and planning for assigned school and unit teams.

• Respond to internal and external constituent inquiries with professionalism, discretion, and a high level of customer service.
• Build strong working relationships across University Advancement and the broader university to promote collaboration, alignment, and effective execution.
• Identify and implement opportunities to strengthen processes, systems, and workflows to improve efficiency and expand internal capacity.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in coordination with advancement systems and university partners.

• High school diploma or GED plus 3 years of relevant professional experience, or a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

• At least one year of professional experience, preferably in a development or academic setting.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, organize, and work on multiple projects simultaneously; ability to make effective timely decisions and meet deadlines in a dynamic and ever‑changing environment.
• Administrative experience, including scheduling and event and meeting planning.
• Aptitude for developing and streamlining processes to maximize efficiencies.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Familiarity with standard university…