Advancement Program Specialist

ABOUT POMONA COLLEGE: Located near Los Angeles, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona College is known for small classes, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities. Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges.

JOB PURPOSE: The Advancement Program Specialist facilitates program management and project delivery for Pomona College’s campaign. Reporting to the Campaign Director and working closely with the Vice President for Advancement, Chief of Staff and Advancement Operations, and other members of the Office of the Vice President of Advancement, the Advancement Program Specialist has the responsibility to design, define, and manage timetables to meet short- and long-term campaign milestones and metrics. The Advancement Program Specialist will also support the Campaign Director on planning, prioritizing, and executing projects and events related to the campaign, support prospect management and stewardship efforts for top 200 donor prospects, assist with preparing materials for Board committees, prompting task completion on the campaign project plan and making necessary updates, and coordinating between teams both inside and outside the Advancement Division in support of campaign goals. Additionally, the Advancement Program Specialist will support the Chief of Staff and Advancement Operations with project management related to Divisional cross-collaborative working groups including Advancement All Hands, Advancement Solutions Council, Senior Leadership Team, staff retreats and other ad-hoc working groups.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Reporting directly to the Campaign Director, the Advancement Program Specialist performs the following essential duties and responsibilities:

• Work directly with the Campaign Director, ensuring the effective design and implementation of key campaign plans, schedules, timelines, budgets, and deadlines essential to campaign effectiveness.
• Support the VP for Advancement, Campaign Director and campaign counsel in the anticipation and monitoring of workflow and preparation of materials in support of the Campaign Board Leadership and Advancement team members, outlining necessary actions, milestones and deadlines.
• Support the Chief of Staff and Advancement Operations on project management of Division-wide cross-collaboration working groups including creating agendas, preparing materials, coordinating guest speakers and managing meeting logistics. 
• Monitor and communicate campaign progress against key goals and timelines, advising the Advancement Senior Leadership Team on necessary action items in order to complete the campaign on plan, on budget and on deadline.
• Manage campaign expenses, reporting, and variance tracking to budget allocation, including the development, spending, activity generation and invoices for outside services related to the campaign in consultation and coordination with the Chief of Staff and Advancement Operations.
• Work collaboratively with Campaign counsel and Advancement Communications counsel in support of general campaign needs.
• Support the planning, materials coordination, information dissemination and agenda for Board Committee meetings and other campaign-related meetings.
• Provide support to the Campaign Director, AVP for Development, AVP for Complex, Legacy and Principal Gifts and Complex Assets Officers (Principal and Legacy) in developing and executing prospect cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to ensure the skills, contacts and expertise of Trustees, President, senior leadership and volunteers are maximized.
• Provide support to ensure the integration of campaign components with other ongoing Advancement efforts; direct mail campaigns, materials generation, fundraising plan and timetable elements, named gift opportunities, campaign volunteer education/training programs, and other key tools and resources necessary to ensure a successful campaign with aligned, effective, and integrated advancement efforts.
• Prepare campaign reports and conduct fundraising program benchmark and data analysis as needed for internal and external meetings.
• Work independently, collaboratively, and proactively with the Campaign Director and the Office of College Events on all campaign-related donor events.
• Provide planning, analysis, and logistical support for advancement programs, activities, and events. Occasional travel may be required. 
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree is required, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree in the areas of marketing, fundraising, or  business, or related field is preferred.
• Experience: A minimum of 6 years of relevant experience with increasing responsibility in fundraising or campaigns. Experience at an academic institution or advancement office is preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND CRITICAL SKILLS: The Advancement Program Specialist must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using other skills and abilities not listed below.

The Advancement Program Specialist will:

• effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• possess effectiveness and clarity of verbal and written communication with exceptional  interpersonal communication and phone manners;
• effectively handle confidential and proprietary information;
• be a highly motivated team player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization;
• work proactively and successfully in a multi-cultural environment;
• plan, schedule, organize, and follow up on tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames and work independently and take initiative with increasing levels of responsibility;