Research Development Coordinator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The UConn Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that supports the University of Connecticut by connecting alumni, donors, and friends with philanthropic opportunities to advance UConn’s educational, research, and service missions. Our work strengthens the University’s momentum as a top public research institution and supports students, faculty, patients, alumni, and communities across UConn and UConn Health.

Through Because of UConn: The Campaign for UConn Nation, the Foundation is helping drive UConn’s most ambitious comprehensive campaign, a $1.5 billion effort spanning all schools, colleges, campuses, and UConn Health. The campaign focuses on four pillars that make education more affordable, expand discovery and innovation, improve health and wellness, and strengthen Husky Pride.

• Students First: expanding financial aid, student health, career readiness, and life skills.

• Academic & Innovation Excellence: investing in faculty, graduate fellows, research, and innovation.

• Health & Wellness of People & Planet: advancing patient care, medical research, and life-changing technologies.

• Husky Pride: supporting athletic excellence and an engaged UConn Nation of more than 290,000 alumni worldwide.

We seek talented professionals to join The UConn Foundation and help grow philanthropy, engage alumni and donors, and build a strong endowment that strategically advances UConn and UConn Health.

We are committed to a caring, supportive environment through commitment to our Core Values of Purpose, Excellence, Culture, Communication, and Integrity.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We value different perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that respects each person’s experiences and identity.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Development Coordinator plays an integral role in supporting the success of the Development team through a blend of administrative, operational, and project coordination responsibilities. This position serves as a liaison with Foundation and University partners, as well as donors, prospects, and other external constituents, helping to ensure timely follow-through on priorities, accurate donor data management, and a high standard of service. The Development Coordinator supports donor cultivation and stewardship efforts, event logistics, reporting, and internal processes that advance team goals and strengthen fundraising operations.

Primary Responsibilities

Administrative & Operational Support

• Serve as a professional point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, exercising sound judgment, discretion, and strong customer service in all interactions.

• Support onboarding new team members, resource coordination, and other team operations as assigned.

• Coordinate calendars, meetings, and scheduling for assigned development staff, including internal meetings, donor visits, and other constituent-facing activities.

• Arrange travel and prepare itineraries, meeting agendas, supporting materials, and documenting and tracking any follow-up items.

• Provide general administrative support, including document preparation, proofreading, maintaining organized files, tracking action items, and supporting workflow coordination across the team.

• Prepare, submit, and track expense reimbursements and assist with budget tracking, reconciliations, and routine budget reporting as requested.

Donor Data, Reporting & Pipeline Support

• Maintain accurate donor and prospect information in the Foundation’s CRM/database systems, including biographical updates, contact reports, attendance tracking, and other constituent records.

• Support department tracking needs, including pipeline updates, meeting briefs, and other information used to advance fundraising efforts and grow the pipeline.

• Gather preliminary prospect or background information from internal systems, databases, and files to support donor meetings, briefings, and related development activity, working with Prospect Management & Research as needed.

Donor Stewardship & Engagement Support

• Coordinate logistics for donor visits, cultivation meetings, stewardship activities, and events, including invitations, RSVPs, materials, catering, venue arrangements, briefings, proposal, etc.

• Support donor acknowledgment and stewardship processes, including thank-you correspondence, recognition materials, impact-related projects, and other donor-facing communications, collaborating with central Donor Relations as needed.

General

• Model and articulate the Foundation’s organizational core values at all times.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Engagement

Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Key Competencies

• Champion for inclusive priorities both internally and externally.

• High level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.

• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.

• The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies.

• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.

• Familiar with the use of computers and information management tools, such as CRMs (Blackbaud).

• Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information; ability to represent the UConn Foundation to prospects, donors, faculty, administrators, and others.

• Ability to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.

• Attention to and concern for others.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 2+ years’ experience providing administrative and operational support to a team, preferably in higher education.

• Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems.

Salary

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $65,000. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.

• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.

• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

Please contact an Employee Support & Experience team member if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.