Gift Specialist (HR Title: Advancement Records Specialist I)

**Hourly Range: **

$23.08 per hour

About SMU

SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department:

Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body.

DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development.

SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fundraising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact.

About the Position:

This role is an on-campus, in-person position.

The Gift Specialist position is responsible for the daily processing of charitable contributions to the University in a timely manner in accordance with SMU policies, IRS regulations, and FASB, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education guidelines.

This role handles gift processing & maintenance of University constituent data which includes project work involving data updates and generating charitable tax receipts while providing stellar customer service & demonstrating keen problem solving skills.

Duties & responsibilities include (not limited to): processing gifts & updating donors’ biographical & demographical information in SMU’s constituent database; maintaining & updating information, creating & modifying data, assisting with data cleanup, & document imaging. The position requires a high degree of professionalism, attention to detail, and an awareness and involvement in preparing and/or approving financial deposits.

Essential Functions:

• Process and enter gifts, pledges, and transactional information into the University's donor database from a number of different sources and payment methods. Complete all tasks associated with electronically batched gift entry to ensure timely charitable receipts and donor stewardship, including appropriate biographical and demographic information.

• Perform documented steps to record complex transactions such as pledges, planned gifts, in-kind and stock gifts, pre-deposit and matching payment transactions. Accuracy is the primary objective. Analyze gift documentation to determine legal donor, gift category, appropriate fund, and gift eligibility. Work with gift officers to coordinate donor information and intent.

• Verify and update biographical information in donor database from a multitude of sources; scan and link revenue documentation into imaging system; maintain accurate constituent gift biographical history records through research and corrections. Special database clean-up projects on a scheduled and as needed basis.

• Sort and group gifts received by mail and in person following intake best practices; manage processes such as pledge payment reminders, tax receipts, recurring gifts & automated pledge payments. Make informed decisions about proper entry, allocation, & documentation of University donations. Communicate with internal & external stakeholders as needed & staff department email/phone "Help" lines.

• Occasional overtime work may be required during peak times.