Development Associate (Program Specialist III) Texas Historical CommissionSUBMISSION OF A COVER LETTER, RESUME, AND WRITING SAMPLE IS MANDATORYThe Texas Historical Commission, by statutory authority, has a development office within the THC's Administrative Division. This development office includes the THC Chief Development Officer, the Development Manager, and the Office Manager/Bookkeeper, all of whom are state employees. Per a Memorandum of Agreement between the THC and the non-profit 501(c)(3) Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC), the THC Development staff also staffs the nonprofit organization. Therefore, the THC Chief Development Officer serves as the Executive Director of the Friends of the THC, and the Development Manager(s), the Development Associate, and Finance and Office Manager serve in parallel roles for the nonprofit organization as well. Provide complex fund development and consultative services and technical assistance to the Texas Historical Commission (THC) agency staff, Texas Historical Commission (THC) Commissioners, Friends of the Texas Historical Commission (FTHC) Board of Trustees. The ideal candidate will bring experience in development and fundraising (including research and prospect development), communications and outreach, as well as the skills for program management. The Development Associate is a critical position supporting the Executive Director and Development Managers, and will work under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential Duties:
Development & Fundraising Support the Friends of the THC ED and Development Managers on all aspects of fundraising, including foundation, individual, and corporate giving.
Manage and maintain the donor database, ensuring accuracy and currency of the donor data. Ensure that all requests submitted, and gifts received are entered and updated promptly in the database.
Manage all campaign and events information on the donor database, including setting up events, running reports, setting up campaign forms, etc.
Managing the reporting functions in the donor database, running donor, mailing, and analytical reports.
Train THC staff and facilitate utilization of the donor CRM software across agency, to build proficiency and maintain accuracy of data.
Work closely with THC staff to integrate use of CRM software for event registrations, contact list management, etc.
Work in partnership with the Development Manager to ensure timely annual fund mailings and renewal mailings.
Support the Development Manager in maintaining renewal mailing schedule, tracking responses, and managing timely acknowledgments for all donations, including sending thank you gifts.
Program Development and Support Lead and coordinate all aspects of the Preservation Scholars Program including: cultivating donor relationships in support of the program, and soliciting annual grants or individual gifts for the program with guidance from the ED/Development Managers; managing the Preservation Scholars Committee (which includes THC staff and FTHC Board members); Coordinating the annual planning process (Fall through Summer) for the program including organizing all pre-program planning; updating and managing the applications process through the winter of each year; coordination application review by committee in the spring; and coordinating the internship program through the 10-week period in the summer of each year.
Support the creation and/or development and expansion of other distinct FTHC programs, as required.
Support the Development Training Seminars/Workshops program.
Communications and Outreach Coordinate all aspects of the Friends of the THC's Communications Program, including the website, Social Media, online and print communications (newsletter and annual report).Update and manage the FTHC communications plan for ongoing communications with donors, partners, and supporters, and with the Commission
Support the Office Manager and the FTCH Social Media consultant in creating and implementing content for the Social Media plan for the Friends.
Manage and develop the FTHC's virtual events program; identify and solicit speakers, manage schedule of programming, work with ED to develop potential funding asks to support the program.
Board Support Support the ED and Finance and office manager on arrangements for board/committee meetings.
Assist in building FTHC board and committee meeting agendas and board meeting planning.
Facilitate board action items that relate to THC divisions
Maintain targeted donor lists.
Financial Management Support Assist the ED and the Finance and Office Manager in the development and review of FTHC's budget and financial reports.
Participate in the annual budgeting process.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications/Requirements:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; Minimum three to four (3-4) years of experience in the nonprofit sector, specifically in development and fundraising support roles; One to two (1-2) years of experience in program development/support; Experience in donor database management (customer/constituent database management (CRM) systems, such as Neon, Raiser's Edge, or other fundraising software); Experience in donor communications (emails, newsletters, etc.); Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc.); Proficiency in online communications software (like Gov Delivery, MailChimp, Constant Contact, etc.); Ability to maintain the security or integrity of the critical infrastructure; Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record and ability to drive a state vehicle; and
Required to travel a minimum of 20% of the work period.
Prefer:
- Experience in fundraising events support/coordination; Experience in board management/support; Experience in website management and web content development; Experience and skill in public speaking a plus; and
- Demonstrated interest in history, historic preservation, or the arts.
- Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Good strategic thinking and planning skills, and the ability to plan, organize and work with moderate oversight, as well as within a team environment; Good to excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills; Exercise sound professional judgment and discretion in establishing, applying, and interpreting fundraising policies and procedures; Exercise ethical considerations for management of sensitive donor data, and for broader development activities; Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to detail; Ability to work in a setting requiring self-motivation/cooperative decision-making and to work effectively with diverse groups of people; Attention to detail and high standard of quality; Ability to collaborate with various constituencies, including agency staff, FTHC board, community partners, donors, and volunteers, with a full commitment to customer service; Ability to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and engage in developing effective solutions; Ability to process information in a logical manner and to assess validity; Effective critical thinking skills; Skill in identifying measures and indicators of program performance; Knowledge of graphic design; Skill in the use of general office machines, including a personal computer with word processing, excel, and other software; Skill in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; Ability to travel as needed for meetings, events, etc.
Must have or obtain a valid Driver's License and Defensive Driving Course to be able to operate state vehicles.
This is an in-office position, housed in a historic state building next to the agency's headquarters near the State Capitol in Austin and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping, and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Applicants must be willing to travel, and some overnight travel is required. The Development Associate attends and sometimes presents at conferences, meetings, and workshops, requiring evening and weekend work hours. Travel typically requires driving, although some air travel is also expected.
