A nationally ranked private university located near the heart of Dallas, SMU is a distinguished center for global research and teaching.

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 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 fund-raising 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 Fund Stewardship Coordinator reports to the Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship.

The position is responsible for assisting in the execution of a compliance program for all donor-established funds across the SMU campus for the purposes of donor reporting and other stewardship efforts.

Specifically, this position will be tasked with completing research on fund spending and scholarship reporting, maintaining and monitoring a database with complex information, and collaborating with other stakeholders to ensure donors' intent is being fulfilled.

The position also serves on the core team tasked with annual endowment reporting and assists in the administration of all data and communications related to that process.

Essential Functions:

• Compliance Program Activities: Review gift agreements for appropriate language; keep accurate records of new funds established by donors in multiple databases; identify and code donor spending requirements; assist in analysis of financial accounting reports and compliance activity of donor-established fund

• Endowment Reporting: Assist in the collection, review, preparation and assembly of endowment reports for delivery, including back-end administration, troubleshooting for the cloud-based reporting platform, and tracking of project deadlines and milestones; edit reports for content and formatting with attention to detail; quality control of final reports

• Other Stewardship Activities: As requested by the Donor Relations team, collect spending data related to donor-established funds for impact reports and internal/external inquiries; assist in the execution of student thank you letter projects; document processes; assist with scholarship committee meetings; execute special stewardship as required by endowment agreements

• Other Responsibilities: Contribute to Donor Relations team activities/responsibilities; interact with DEA colleagues as needed on special projects; act as a trusted advisor and inspire confidence; 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

• Occasional evening and weekend work for events

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s is required.

A minimum of one year of work experience in a position requiring strong, systematic knowledge and approach to data management is required.

Experience in a fundraising environment preferred. Experience with or knowledge of basic financial accounting or investment practices desired. Project management experience is a plus.

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.

Candidate must demonstrate a high degree of professionalism with highly developed writing, editing and proofreading skills. The ability to gather, organize and disseminate information into precise written communications is essential. A proven track record of resourcefulness, good judgment, and creativity is desired, with an emphasis on problem solving.

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. The ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment is required. Must have a strong attention to detail for writing, editing, and record-keeping purposes.

Candidate must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Advanced Excel, and PowerPoint) as well as proofreading, spelling and grammar. Advanced level proficiency with Excel required with strong comfortability using Excel formulas and tables.

Candidate must have the ability to learn new applications quickly. Experience using Microsoft Office Access is highly desired. Database experience is required, experience with a CRM database desired, Blackbaud preferred.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)

Deadline to Apply:

April 24, 2023

Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by April 12, 2023.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.