Gift Operations Specialist (Hybrid work schedule)

Department: Alumni Relations & Development
Salary/Grade: NEX/11

Alumni Relations and Development appreciates that the collective sum of our individual differences, experiences, knowledge, and self-expression is crucial for our success. We strongly invite candidates of all backgrounds to apply and to participate fully and authentically in our workplace

We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet 100% of the preferred qualifications.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Alumni Relations and Development is committed to genuine inclusion. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Elizabeth Frisch at efrisch@northwestern.edu. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Northwestern will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential job responsibilities.

Job Summary:

The Gift Processing Specialist is responsible for the recording and processing of contributions and ensuring all gifts are promptly and accurately entered, receipted, and acknowledged according to established protocols. This position is expected to learn, fully understand, and apply industry and professional standards, university policy and procedure, federal and state laws and other regulations to monetary gifts and donations granted to the University ensuring appropriate, accurate, and timely documentation within associated tracking and financial systems.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Reviews all monetary gifts, donations and contributions granted to the University including simple transactions involving cash, check, credit card, auto debit, online/web, etc. to extremely complex transactions involving wire transfers, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, securities, etc. to determine correct deposit allocation and associated accounting entries and documentation. Ensures that all necessary information is obtained, reviewed, verified, and appropriately documented within tracking and financial systems in a timely fashion.
• Analyzes each individual gift in relation to ARD, NU, and IRS policies, procedures, rules and regulations to determine appropriate manner in which to complete gift acceptance, processing and receipting the transaction. Performs research as necessary to ensure that gift is appropriately documented within tracking and financial systems in a timely fashion.
• Interacts and communicates with university staff, alumni, and students in a professional and productive manner. Educates and partners with ARD staff to fully understand donation associated business needs.
• Completes quality assurance tests; data review; and reconciliation processes. Edits, modifies and/or updates inaccurate or incorrect data and transactions. Verifies and confirms accuracy of associated changes, as well as fully documenting changes and updates.
• Research and becomes familiar with new policies, procedures, rules and regulations associated with gift acceptance, processing and receipting.
• Understands and performs all functions within team and serves as backup for any team member as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Bachelor's degree or 2 years equivalent education and experience.
• 2 years' experience in accounting, banking, gift processing or similar which includes advanced use of electronic spreadsheets, databases, web based financial tools and/or similar.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Demonstrated problem solving skills and ability to use sound independent judgment based on established protocols, procedures and regulations.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail including ability to keep accurate records and files.
• Independently able to use judgment to prioritize workload
• Ability to understand role and responsibility in fulfilling Division goals
• Proven ability to multi-task and follow direction
• Demonstrated customer service skills
• Demonstrated initiative and willingness to take on responsibility
• Must be able to think logically and to make associations / see relationships
• Highly detailed oriented with a critical degree of accuracy regarding data entry and analysis

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Experience in CATracks Donor tracking system (an ellucian Advance product).

Target hiring range for this position will be between $22.00-$23.00 perhour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.