Development Associate in Boston, Massachusetts at Suffolk University

Location: Boston Campus
Position Type: Full time

Summary of Position:

Suffolk University is one of the area’s leading universities and the only one situated in the center of Boston. Founded in 1906, the University is comprised of three esteemed schools—the College of Arts and Sciences, Suffolk University Law School, and the Sawyer Business School. Suffolk’s 90,000 alumni are professionally successful and civically engaged, and they reside in Massachusetts, across the United States, and in over 150 countries. Suffolk is in an exciting new era and fostering a comprehensive Advancement program to support the University and its plans for the future under the direction of the Vice President of Advancement.

The Division of Advancement has achieved significant fundraising success, exceeding key fundraising and alumni engagement goals in recent years. The Development Associate will be an integral member of the Division of Advancement and Major Gifts team, supporting the collective Division’s continued growth and momentum.

This role is responsible for coordinating Advancement efforts for top giving prospects and donors, while providing high-level, multifaceted support across Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Stewardship and Donor Relations, and Cohort Fundraising and Engagement. Working closely with the Associate Vice President of Philanthropy, the Development Associate operates with a high degree of independence and contributes to a wide range of initiatives that advance the University’s philanthropic priorities.

The position involves supporting complex and highly confidential fundraising activities, requiring discretion, sound judgment, and strong interpersonal skills. Success in this role requires flexibility, initiative, and a willingness to contribute across team priorities, serving as a versatile and reliable partner.

Primary/Principal Responsibilities:

Supports donor engagement and frontline fundraising activity—50%

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Philanthropy, the Development Associate performs a wide variety of duties including:

• Coordinating proposals, briefing materials, and stewardship reports for prospects, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with institutional priorities
• Assists with donor correspondence and follow-up, including acknowledgments, stewardship communications, and next-step coordination
• Working closely with the AVP of Philanthropy, tracks proposal and solicitation activity, ensuring timely follow-up and movement through the pipeline
• Assists with portfolio management by helping to monitor prospect activity, moves management, and engagement strategies across assigned prospects
• Assists the team in inputting accurate donor records, contact reports, and activity updates in Raiser’s Edge NXT, ensuring data integrity and completeness
• Provides administrative support in managing corporate sponsorships for key events, including tracking and fulfillment of sponsorship benefits
• Provides administrative and strategic support to frontline fundraisers, including compiling and organizing materials for donor visits and supporting post-visit follow-up

Plans meetings, events and donor experiences – 25%

• Assists with the coordination of high-level donor meetings and Advancement programs, cultivation events, and stewardship activities, including logistics, scheduling, materials preparation, and on-site support
• Supports the execution of Advancement events, including donor receptions, volunteer gatherings, and campaign-related activities
• Manages invitation lists, RSVP tracking, and guest communications to ensure a seamless donor experience
• Collaborates with internal partners both in the Division of Advancement and across Suffolk’s campus, including but not limited to, the Office of Marketing and Communications and Deans’ Offices, to align messaging and maximize participation and impact

Assists with prospect research, reporting, and data coordination – 25%

• Supports the development and maintenance of lists and dashboards related to pipeline activity, donor engagement, and fundraising performance
• Assists in maintaining accurate portfolio data, including assignments and segmentation
• Supports data audits to ensure consistency and accuracy across systems
• Coordinates information and workflows across Division of Advancement units, including Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Stewardship and Donor Relations, and cohort-based initiatives
• Provides coordination support for strategic fundraising efforts, including tracking progress and assisting with internal communications and materials
• Assists with pledge tracking and fulfillment, including monitoring schedules and coordinating reminder communications
• Identifies opportunities to improve processes and workflows to enhance team efficiency
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises sound judgment when handling sensitive information
• Participates in team meetings and provides backup support for Advancement operations, as needed

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, and at least 1 to 3 years of related experience preferred
• Excellent PC skills and command of Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to use Raiser’s Edge NXT or similar CRM
• Sense of urgency and enthusiastic commitment to Suffolk University’s Division of Advancement priorities
• A diligent work ethic and a capacity to thrive in a collaborative team environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong multi-tasking and time management skills, an orientation to detail, customer service focus, and comfort interacting with a diverse community
• Must be creative, proactive, and a self-starter
• Must have ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and handle complex situations with professionalism
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and a strong commitment to help develop and implement the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies and goals
• Experience working with Canva and email marketing platforms is preferred
• Perform other tasks as assigned
• Standard working hours of this position to be determined by the supervisor, however, Suffolk University’s working hours are generally from 8:45 am – 4:45 pm
• Some evening and weekend work is required, at times, both on- and off-campus

Work Setting:

• The Suffolk University Division of Advancement is on a hybrid schedule, with three days in the office and two remote, per a formal schedule to ensure an office presence at all times. Suffolk University is a residential institution of higher education with students, faculty and staff on campus most of the school year. An in-office schedule achieves numerous important Advancement goals, among them, heightened collaboration and opportunities to meet with colleagues both within Advancement and across campus. While much can be achieved via email and Zoom, in-person meetings, as well as planned and unplanned informal and formal discussions, contribute toward stronger relationships and collaboration that assists Advancement to achieve its goals and objectives. Due to the scheduling of events and donor visits, in-office days may need to change to ensure preparation and participation occurs efficiently and effectively.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, retirement, and professional development opportunities.

The salary range for this role is $50,400 to $84,000.Salary Transparency

Suffolk University provides salary ranges as a good faith estimate of what it reasonably expects to pay for a role at the time the position is posted. The actual salary offered to the selected candidate will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to, the position’s scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s experience, education, training, and applicable legal requirements. The listed pay range reflects base salary only and does not include additional benefits or compensation.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Suffolk University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. The University strives to recruit, develop and retain faculty and staff committed to educational excellence, the robust exchange of ideas, and engage in membership in a diverse and inclusive community.