University of California, Santa Cruz · 23 hours ago
Development Assistant, Arts & Humanities
Santa Cruz County, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
New Grad, Entry Level
$29.38/hr - $32.19/hrUniversity of California, Santa Cruz is a unique public university that blends the experience of a liberal arts college with a major research institution. The Development Assistant will handle a variety of development-related activities including donor stewardship, event coordination, and office management, while also maintaining confidentiality and managing sensitive information.
ArtEducationUniversities
Responsibilities
Coordinate the preparation and submission of correspondence or reports related to proposals, grants, gifts, pledges, donor recognition, stewardship, and other activities by gathering data, writing, designing, producing, compiling, and/or distributing written reports or profiles
Provide support in the coordination of donor cultivation, donor recognition, and/or special events by making arrangements or providing administrative or other on-site assistance. Assist in the development and coordination of mailing lists
Receive and process gifts through secure and confidential handling of money and checks by working with divisional research accountants and University Advancement’s gift administration in designating gifts appropriately
Track gifts and the appropriate level of "thank you" letters for the respective Division. Compose the "Thank You" letters and other correspondence for the respective Dean's and/or development officers' review and signature
Assist with the planning and mailing of materials for endowment reports to donors by compiling the impact reports from fund recipients. Acknowledge and track responses from donors
Coordinate development-focused meetings and occasional events. Develop guest lists, invitations, catering, and travel. Liaise with University Events if/when they are involved
Work directly with Department Managers and Chairs to provide gift reports as appropriate
Help to maintain the accuracy of the divisional giving pages and other outward-facing development-related pages on the respective Divisional website
Liaise with respective divisions and Dean's Executive Assistants as well as Department Managers regarding Divisional committee participation and meetings
Provide a wide range of administrative support, to include office operations, support for the Development Officers, complete and process all financial documents, i.e., travel expenses, reimbursement requests, purchase requests, etc
Independently organize and maintain an efficient operating environment for the development office. Screen incoming calls and either refer or, as appropriate, independently resolve problems, provide information, take messages, or redirect inquiries to other staff members, at all times using discretion and protecting confidentiality. Make photocopies, send faxes, scan, and file documents
Train or supervise volunteers and student workers for projects, as required
Maintain an electronic calendar to schedule, confirm, and handle all appointments, meetings, and events for the Directors of Development, exercising independent judgment. This includes a high volume of meetings with University Advancement staff, university officials, and donors, as well as committee and group meetings. Perform all conference and travel arrangements. Demonstrate a high level of initiative in planning and performing advanced preparations for the Director of Development's appointments and meetings
Review and distribute all incoming mail, establish priorities, redirect to appropriate staff, or independently respond to routine inquiries via correspondence. Draft correspondence, either independently or from oral instructions. Proofread and edit correspondence, reports, etc., for correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and accuracy
Independently monitor office budget, verify monthly expenses, and resolve discrepancies. Make recommendations to the director for the annual budgeting process. Suggest alternatives to help reduce expenditures and increase efficiency. Complete and process all financial documents, i.e., travel vouchers, reimbursement requests, purchase requests, etc
Interact with the office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Philanthropy to coordinate activities requiring a signature, feedback, etc. Communicate with other Development Assistants to establish best practices, share resources, and facilitate good communication among the development offices
Act as back-up for other administrative support staff, assisting other senior members of the University Advancement team when necessary
Develop and maintain filing and tracking systems and computerized data systems for pertinent projects, solicitations, and constituents. Create databases, spreadsheets, and information logs and filing systems for constituency listings, special projects, programs, and files. Make recommendations for the enhancement of established systems and the introduction of new systems. Compile, assess, and synthesize information into ad hoc or regular reports. Update information regarding academic and research programs and campus services
Update the database by recording contacts, visits, meetings by respective development officers and/or dean. Help Information Management unit maintain the accuracy of donor data in AQ following appropriate protocol for inputting or requesting updates to information
Collaborate with communications staff to ensure development/fundraising highlights are included in the school's electronic newsletter, with a mind toward fundraising and the Dean's priorities. This may include writing short articles
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Demonstrated successful and increasingly complex administrative experience
Experience using computers with speed and accuracy for word processing, spreadsheets, mail-merge, database record entry, electronic mail, and Internet searches, with ability and willingness to learn new systems and software programs
Experience in coordinating and scheduling logistics for small and large group meetings and events
Experience setting up and maintaining electronic filing systems
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a myriad of people of differing temperaments, socioeconomic backgrounds, and political/ethical philosophies, and to be tactful, diplomatic, and attentive in personal contacts with donors, external constituencies, and university personnel
Excellent organizational, time management, and decision-making skills to prioritize work, meet deadlines for simultaneous projects, make decisions using independent judgment, and adapt to evolving priorities and goals
Excellent verbal communications skills, to effectively convey information to individuals at various organizational levels, both internally and externally
Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to compose clear, concise materials and correspondence or other materials, and edit for correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and accurate proofreading
Knowledge of and/or the ability to learn the principles of fundraising and institutional advancement
Knowledge of and/or the ability to learn and apply comprehensive detailed knowledge of University policies and procedures, including the campus budgeting processes and its financial information systems
Ability to maintain the highest degree of sensitivity and confidentiality of donor information and discretion with regard to donor and personnel matters
Follow directions and pay strict attention to details and deadlines
Take a project from conception to completion with little supervision
Preferred
Proficiency in all data systems
Benefits
Full benefits
Company
University of California, Santa Cruz
UCSC opened in 1965 with 650 students. Forty-five years later, the campus is home to nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 1,500 graduate
Founded in 1965
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of California, Santa Cruz has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (34)
2024 (48)
2023 (52)
2022 (41)
2021 (46)
2020 (29)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$19.6MKey Investors
U.S. Department of AgricultureNational Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)James S. McDonnell Foundation
2023-06-21Grant· $10M
2023-01-10Grant· $0.15M
2022-02-24Grant· $0.25M
Leadership Team
Benedict Paten
Professor
Marco Rolandi
Jack Baskin Endowed Chair in Engineering
Recent News
News-Medical.Net
2025-11-24
2025-11-08
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