Advancement Assistant

Summary of Responsibilities:

The Advancement Assistant supports the Office of Institutional Advancement by executing donor stewardship, office operations, and event support functions. This role exists to ensure donors and partners experience timely, excellent, and consistent engagement through accurate data management, thoughtful acknowledgment, and well-coordinated events. The position contributes to the mission of Highlands College by supporting operational excellence and strengthening relationships with donors who invest in the College’s vision.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Stewardship Support
  
  
  
  • Coordinate weekly handwritten donor cards and stewardship touchpoints.
  
  
  • Prepare and send weekly birthday cards, emails, and birthday gifts.
  
  
  • Execute weekly donor thank-you video processes.
  
  
  • Assist with Impact Team mailings and fulfillment.
  
  
  • Prepare and mail appropriate donor other miscellaneous acknowledgements.
  
  
  • Reconcile and maintain data and documentation within the donor database.
  
  
  
  


• Office Operations
  
  
  
  • Manage inventory and organization of stewardship and gifting supplies.
  
  
  • Maintain and update donor profiles as assigned.
  
  
  • Support database correction, cleanup, and ongoing maintenance.
  
  
  • Assist with the execution of scholarship-related processes.
  
  
  • Support miscellaneous gifting needs.
  
  
  • Execute and assist with administrative projects across the department as assigned.
  
  
  
  

• Donor Communications Support
  
  
  
  • Assist in building and distributing donor newsletters and targeted communications.
  
  
  • Collaborate with the Marketing and Social Media teams to support donor focused videos and content initiatives.
  
  
  • Assist in generating ideas to improve donor communication strategies and storytelling.
  
  
  • Support project coordination, timelines, and content needs in collaboration with internal departments necessary for each project.
  
  
  • Coordinate student involvement in donor communications, including identifying opportunities for student stories, participation, and content creation.
  
  
  
  

• Event Support
  
  
  
  • Support weekly chapel events by maintaining RSVPs, managing invite schedules, and coordinating seating logistics.
  
  
  • Send donor communications prior to events as directed.
  
  
  • Coordinate communication with internal departments related to event logistics.
  
  
  • Host and assist Impact Guests during on-campus visits.
  
  
  • Provide day-of-event support as needed.
  
  
  
  

Other Duties:

• Affirm and uphold the Statement of Faith and the Core Values and DNA of the College, exemplifying all by word and lifestyle.


• Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Qualifications

Personal Characteristics:

• Encourages the contribution of others and takes their views into account.


• Highly focused, self-started with an elevated level of energy and positive outlook.


• Ability to remain resilient under pressure and effectively adapt to multiple demands, ambiguity, and rapid change.


• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy and follow-through.


• Service-minded with a genuine desire to support donors, teammates, and the mission of the College.


• Organized, dependable, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.


• Positive, professional, and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Traits:

• Action-orientated.


• Initiative.


• Customer Service.


• Strong Organizational and time management skills.

Abilities & Skills:

• Must exemplify a high level of customer service.


• Ability to self-motivate.


• Ability to manage administrative processes with attention to detail.


• Ability to clearly communicate information and follow established procedures.


• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a team.


• Proficiency with databases and standard office software, or ability to learn quickly.

Knowledge:

• Proficiency with databases and standard office software, or ability to learn quickly.

Education:

• High school diploma required.


• College coursework preferred.

Experience:

• Prior administrative, customer service, or operations experience preferred.

Extent of Public Contact:

• Medium.

Physical Demands:

• Moderate exposure to physical risk.


• Good physical condition is required.


• Ability to drive between campuses.


• Ability to lift 50 lbs without assistance.


• Ability to stand for long periods of time.

Direct Reports:

• This position is not a team lead for any Highlands College teammates.