Description
Hourly Range:
$24.50 per hour - $25.64 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, Marketing and Communications, 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 Donor Relations Assistant coordinates and facilitates key responsibilities in nearly every stewardship activity produced in the central Donor Relations team.
This collaborative and project focused position works closely with many areas of DEA to keep donor relations projects on track and also is responsible for metrics and data management in SMU's CRM. This position also is responsible for procuring supplies, working with vendors, mail merges, orchestrating mailings, meeting coordination, budget tracking, customer service inquiries, data entry and general administrative duties.
Essential Functions:
Stewardship Activities:
Assist in the review and preparation of endowment reports for delivery;
Procure supplies for donor stewardship projects and other projects;
Proof and edit executive-level donor communications with attention to detail;
Proof student statements for endowment reports;
Implement President's gifts and cards, including list management and executing delivery;
Proof endowment and planned gift certificates;
Measure, track and report consistent metrics related to stewardship activities;
Manage, refine, and document practices, processes, and standards for stewardship plans;
Manage the collection, analysis, and documentation of stewardship information;
Prepare and send Rotunda family monthly stewardship;
Implement Giving Day gift for Mustang Matchers
Other Responsibilities: Contribute to Donor Relations team activities/responsibilities; interact with DEA colleagues as needed on special projects; model integrity in decisions, communication and treatment of individuals internal/external to the University; cultivate alliances across internal units in order to build/maintain strong relationships; document procedures
Administrative Management: Monitor and respond to communications received from Donor Relations email and phone line; Maintain Donor Relations presence on SharePoint; handle outgoing mailings and deliveries; track Donor Relations budget and calendar; provide administrative support to other Donor Relations team members as needed; enter data into CRM, responsible for weekly deceasing process in CRM.
Occasional evening and weekend work for events.
Requirements
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor’s preferred.
A minimum of three years of work experience is required. Prior experience in an administrative support role within a development, nonprofit, alumni relations or higher education environment preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong writing/editing/proofreading communication skills.
Candidate must possess strong organizational, time management, and planning skills to effectively multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Must be able to work independently on requests, manage workflow, and meet multiple deadlines, as well as collaborate on work with other team members. A strong focus on attention to detail is essential.
Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions.
Candidate must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) as well as proofreading, spelling and grammar. Must have the ability to learn new applications quickly. Mail merge experience preferred. Experience using Adobe Suite is highly desired.
Database experience, especially with a CRM database is desired, Blackbaud preferred and ability to run queries preferred. Some basic accounting or experience handling account reconciliation functions is a plus.
Physical and Environmental Demands:
Sit for long periods of time
Bend, squat, stand, climb, kneel
Walk for distances
Reach above shoulders
Handle objects (dexterity)
Push/pull
Carry/lift 25-50 lbs.
Deadline to Apply:
November 24, 2025
Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by November 14, 2025
EEO Statement:
SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.
Benefits:
SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.
SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.
The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.
