The University of Virginia seeks a Project Associate to provide project management support to the Direct Marketing team with a particular emphasis on increasing donor retention.

The Project Associate will collaborate with the Direct Marketing team to make sure that each project gets the resources and attention it needs to be successful. The successful candidate for this role will also be responsible for handling correspondence with internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate is process-driven, has strong writing and communication skills, and thrives in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the organizational point person for University Annual Giving stewardship efforts with the goal of increasing donor retention and leadership-level annual giving. This includes:
  • Assessing and determining priorities with University Annual Giving leadership and developing a UAG stewardship strategy using project management software for strategy execution.
  • Making recommendations to University Annual Giving leadership on improving the donor experience and implementing approved tactics.
  • Managing day-to-day operational aspects of stewardship projects, including working with vendors to ensure that premiums are fulfilled and deadlines are met.
  • Tracking timelines and budgets for stewardship projects.
• Develop ad hoc, monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year-end reports related to project activities with particular attention to donor retention.
• Interpret donor retention information, make informed decisions based on analysis, and prepare necessary presentation materials for meetings.
• Lead efforts to ensure the accuracy and usability of data that impacts University Annual Giving's ability to cultivate and steward donors.
• Create appeal codes and attribute appeal codes, ensuring that all Direct Marketing projects are coded correctly.
• Provide customer service to constituents by maintaining the Annual Giving inbox, handling correspondence with internal and external stakeholders.
• Document donor feedback for University Annual Giving, ensuring that constituents receive a response and the appropriate Advancement staff are notified.
• Serve as the Direct Marketing point person for vendor procurement and expense reporting.
• Participate in the Annual Giving Community of Practice meetings, Office of Engagement meetings, and University Advancement meetings.
• Collaborate with the Office of Engagement administrative team to ensure the completion of shared tasks and initiatives.
• Participate in Office of Engagement events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with at least two years of relevant experience; annual giving, donor relations, or alumni engagement is preferred. Experience as an intern may qualify. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Exceptional customer service skills.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to manage projects independently or as part of a team, from inception through implementation.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, University Advancement honors your experiences, perspectives, and unique identity. Together, we strive to create and maintain working environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming so we can best achieve our mission of supporting our broadly diverse partners, schools, and networks of engaged alumni, parents, and friends of the University.

UVA Advancement offers a flexible and hybrid workplace. All team members must have access to and maintain a secure home office environment with high-speed internet service and work collaboratively with others using various technologies and tools. Depending on the type of position and work performed, or as deemed by manager, some positions may be required to work intermittently in a shared office space located in Charlottesville, Virginia. This position may work from anywhere with the expectation of being in Charlottesville a minimum of twice a year at UVA's expense.

This position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt-level, benefited position. This position is a restricted position and is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance. The salary range is $50,000-$55,000 and is commensurate with education and experience. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. For questions about the position or the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Recruiter, at das6zb@virginia.edu.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Bachelor's degree.
• Experience: Two years of experience. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Licensure: None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.