Development Assistant, Major Gifts - Neurosciences

Development Assistant, Major Gifts

The Development Assistant, Major Gifts serves as a strategic partner to a team of five major gift officers responsible for securing transformational philanthropic investments supporting translational neurosciences and related priorities at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Working at the intersection of academic medicine and healthcare philanthropy, this position assists the team with the operational planning, portfolio management, and execution of major and principal gift fundraising initiatives. The role drives project timelines, manages donor pipeline processes, develops briefing and proposal materials, coordinates complex stakeholder engagement activities, and ensures the successful advancement of prospects through the fundraising cycle through the support of its team.

Responsibilities include generating correspondence, reports, printed materials, meeting agendas, invitations, and lists, and maintaining database records that track donor and prospect interactions. In addition, the Development Assistant coordinates, prioritizes, and executes administrative processes critical to specific functions or operations within the immediate team, as well as the department. They create and maintain associated documents, spreadsheets, and data; organize meetings, special events, and mail/email direct appeals; and ensure that those whom they support are aware of critical issues and upcoming events.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development within Feinberg Development and Alumni Relations, Team Neuroscience, this position provides high level administrative support. Success in this role requires exceptional project management skills, strategic judgment, analytical thinking, relationship management capabilities, and the ability to independently coordinate multiple complex initiatives simultaneously.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances) Successful completion of a full four-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree or two years equivalent experience in a development (fundraising/philanthropic) function. Experience working with a complex relational database/CRM is required; Salesforce and OnBase experience preferred.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.) Advanced knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail (including the Microsoft Office suite) and database software programs is required. Strong abilities are required in the following areas: Demonstrated data management skills Written and verbal communication Scheduling and event logistics Organization/time management Presentations and report compilation

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience) Experience working in a nonprofit/philanthropic fundraising or constituent engagement environment. Experience in a high-touch customer service environment. Experience in healthcare and/or higher education.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities) Writing and proofreading skills. Independent self-starter with exceptional attention to detail. Ability to leverage Microsoft CoPilot effectively, integrating the tool's use for team efficiency. Requires occasional attendance at meetings and events outside of normal office hours (i.e., evenings, weekends, etc.). May be called upon to provide own transportation to local meetings or events.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status.