Development Coordinator in Draper, Utah at The Living Planet Aquarium

Position: Development Coordinator

Reports To: Grant Writer

Compensation: $16+ DOE

Why Utah?

Utah is home to five national parks, world-class skiing and snowboarding, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, and stunning deserts, mountains, and lakes, all within easy driving distance. Outdoor adventure is part of everyday life. The Salt Lake Valley consistently ranks high for safety, clean communities, short commute times, and family-friendly amenities. Draper offers a balance of suburban comfort and urban access, with downtown Salt Lake City just 15 minutes away. Enjoy all four seasons without extremes—sunny summers, colorful falls, snowy winters, and mild springs, perfect for both outdoor recreation and city living. Utah’s communities are known for being engaged, supportive, and service-oriented, making it easy for newcomers to feel at home.

About Loveland Living Planet Aquarium:

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (LLPA) is a mission-driven institution dedicated to inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about Earth’s diverse ecosystems. Founded in 1997, the Aquarium provides impactful educational experiences for guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Since opening its Draper, Utah facility in 2014, LLPA has welcomed more than 10 million visitors and delivered over 650,000 educational experiences to students. Home to over 4,000 animals representing 650 species, the Aquarium features immersive habitats from around the world, including coral reefs, kelp forests, the deep ocean, Antarctic waters, tropical rainforests, Asian cloud forests, and Utah’s freshwater ecosystems.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2019, LLPA is in an exciting phase of growth. With the opening of the Sam and Aline Skaggs Science Learning Center, the Aquarium became the largest in the Mountain West and the fifth largest aquarium in the continental United States, offering expanded opportunities for education, research, and professional impact.

Position Summary:

The Development Coordinator supports LLPA's annual giving, fundraising, and corporate partnership programs. The role responds to donor, member, and partner phone calls and emails, fulfills ticket requests, helps manage the day-to-day processes of development programs, maintains constituent records in Salesforce, and assists with donor events, tours, and recognition. This is an entry-level position well suited to someone who communicates clearly, stays organized, and enjoys working with the public. The role is well suited to someone who communicates clearly, stays organized, and enjoys working with the public. Experience in a nonprofit setting is a plus, with excellent customer service and courteous manners.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Customer service experience preferred
• Experience in a nonprofit, museum, or other guest-facing setting is a plus but not required

Critical Skills/Competencies:

• Friendly, professional phone and email communication with team members, Aquarium members, donors, corporate partners, and the general public
• Strong organizational, time management, planning, and multi-tasking skills
• Attention to detail when entering, tracking, and reporting on donor and partner data
• Discretion when working with sensitive and confidential financial information
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to ask questions when needed
• Basic computer skills, including email, calendars, and word processing; database or technical experience is not required. Salesforce experience preferred but not required; willingness to learn new software

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Return donor, member, and partner phone calls and emails in a timely, courteous manner
• Process and fulfill ticket requests
• Manage day-to-day processes and assist with donor service and benefit fulfillment for development programs, such as Adopt-an-Animal, bricks and plaques, and Ambassadors Council, using established procedures and information supplied by Development staff.
• Maintain donor communications and notes in Salesforce, and to create and update constituent records, including logging activities and donations, and run basic reports as directed.
• Assist with organizing and executing behind-the-scenes tours and donor stewardship events
• Assist with coordinating donor recognition signage and delivery of donor benefits, including benefits for Ambassadors Council members
• Support corporate partnerships by helping schedule activations, tracking partner benefits, and communicating logistics with partner contacts
• Assist with administrative tasks for grant and prospect research, such as gathering requested public information and organizing documents for Development staff; provide materials to the Database Specialist for entry and tracking.
• Use lists, schedules, and donor benefit information prepared by the Business Database Specialist or Development staff to carry out service and event tasks. Report missing or incorrect information to the Database Specialist; database corrections, gift recording, data reconciliation, and report preparation are outside this role's regular duties.
• Other projects and duties as assigned

Physical Demands of the Job:

• The position is primarily in an office environment
• Periodic weekend or evening work is expected, and some holidays, with advance notice

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus optional FSA/HSA accounts
  • Paid time off & 12 paid holidays per year
  • Paid bereavement leave and paid new child leave (birth, adoption, or placement)
  • Employer-paid short-term disability; optional long-term disability coverage
  • Convenient onsite childcare (employees pay approximately 20% of the cost)
• 401(k) with match up to 4% - fully vested from day 1 of contribution
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Aquarium membership
• Discounts on tickets, gift shop, and café purchases
• Free and discounted animal encounters
• Pet insurance and discounts
• Footwear discounts
• Entertainment, travel, and retail savings through Tickets at Work

While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management’s right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The overall work environment while performing this job includes exposure to weather conditions and the noise level is usually moderate. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.

The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status. The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process. Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.