Specialist, Development Support

Development Associate - Position Overview

General Description The Development Associate plays a pivotal role in the operational and philanthropic infrastructure of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, as well as in partnership with USC Chan and USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development Operations, the Development Associate ensures seamless coordination and execution of annual giving programs, stewardship efforts, gift processing, and information systems management. The role supports donor cultivation and retention through consistent data management, timely acknowledgments, and the execution of backend development services.

The Development Associate is a critical partner in ensuring that development operations run efficiently and that institutional fundraising priorities are supported through strong systems, accurate reporting, and high-quality stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

Database & Information Systems Management

• Serve as the primary manager of Salesforce CRM data, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and utility for outreach and reporting.
• Develop and maintain reporting tools, queries, and dashboards to support development decision-making.

Gift Processing Oversight

• Manage the entry and processing of gifts and pledges in accordance with university guidelines.
• Ensure all donor records and acknowledgment letters are accurately tracked and generated in a timely manner.

Gift Agreement Management

• Draft and process gift agreements for new pledges and commitments.
• Coordinate closely with university advancement staff to ensure proper documentation and compliance.

Stewardship and Donor Recognition

• Distribute Friends of Dentistry (FOD) new member welcome packets and acknowledgment letters.
• Maintain and track stewardship efforts and timelines for all donor levels.
• Monitor and manage recurring monthly and annual pledge payments:
• Send reminder notifications to donors two months prior to the due date for annual payments.
• At year-end, send thank-you messages to monthly pledge donors to express gratitude for their contributions and remind them of the continuation of payments, if applicable

Reporting and Analysis

• Produce and distribute regular giving summaries and dashboards for internal stakeholders.
• Monitor and track key performance indicators related to giving trends, donor behavior, and annual fundraising targets.

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree

Additional Education Requirements

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:

5 years

Addtional Experience Requirements

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience

Minimum Skills:

Development research experience in higher education.

Ability to self-manage, prioritize work assignments and manage multiple deadlines.

Experience maintaining and interpreting large datasets and database systems.

Excellent planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.

Detail oriented with excellent written and oral communication skill.

Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree

Preferred Experience:

7 years

Preferred Skills:

Donor prospect research experience in higher education.

Volunteer experience in fundraising, campaign or non-profit environments.

Experience with email marketing, website development/coding and Adobe Creative Suite.

Extensive customer service experience.

Fluent in one or more language in addition to English (e.g., Spanish).

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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