University Advancement Graduate Assistant

Job summary

The graduate assistant will support the University Advancement team by managing donor communications, data segmentation, and constituent engagement. Responsibilities include crafting donor outreach, maintaining database records, and assisting with administrative operations for gift processing and grant support.

Job details

Position Department: University Advancement Position School: Administration Overview: The position provides essential support to the University Advancement team, with a primary emphasis on donor communication, data segmentation, and constituent engagement. Working up to 20 hours per week, this role requires a highly organized, detail-oriented individual with exceptional communication skills to foster strong relationships with university donors, prospects, and alumni. Responsibilities: Primary: Crafts compelling written communications for donors and leadership giving prospects, and conducts direct outreach via stewardship phone calls and emails. Formats and sends email communications using Raiser's Edge NXT to support targeted advancement campaigns. Assists with list development for donor cultivation and stewardship across both annual and planned giving programs. Executes weekly administrative operations related to gift receipting, gift acknowledgments, the leadership giving society and preparation of presidential stewardship notes. Secondary: Assists with various research, foundation background research, administrative tasks supporting grant administration. Works independently to complete projects that strengthen relationships with key university constituents. Helps maintain accurate database records to ensure overall office efficiency and support the production of advancement materials. Minimum Qualifications: Must be fully accepted and enrolled in an RMU Graduate Program and maintain required academic standing. Strong, professional written and verbal communication skills are required. Must possess exceptional attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently on detailed tasks. Must have the ability to provide staff support at occasional evening and weekend events on campus; support for off-campus events is optional and subject to logistical feasibility. Proficiency in Adobe, Microsoft Office and Google Suite is essential. Prior experience with database management or background in professional writing, grant support, or donor relations is a plus. Academic Years Preferred: First Year Graduate Student or Greater Wage: 12 Wage Frequency: Hourly Is this position funded through Federal Work Study dollars?: No Average Number of Hours Per Week: 20 Days of the Week to Work: Anticipated Time Frames to Work: Preferred Start Date: Oct 16, 2026 Anticipated End Date: Act 153 Clearance Required: No Required To Pass a Motor Vehicle Report Check (If driving on behalf of the University): No Required to Pass a Credit Check: No Additional Posting Information: None Special Applicant Instructions: None Commitment to Diversity: RMU complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and provides equal opportunity in all educational programs and activities, admission of students and conditions of employment for all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. Reasonable Accommodation Notice: Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please email [email protected] or call us at (412) 397-6270 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Student Jobs for Academic Credit Students may apply to use their on-campus job for academic credit. This is incumbent upon the student completing the application process through the Career & Professional Development Center and receiving approval from the appropriate department head. Visit www.rmu.edu/why-rmu/campus-experience/cpdc/students [https://www.rmu.edu/why-rmu/campus-experience/cpdc/students] for more information).

What you’ll do

The graduate assistant will support the University Advancement team by managing donor communications, data segmentation, and constituent engagement. Responsibilities include crafting donor outreach, maintaining database records, and assisting with administrative operations for gift processing and grant support.

Requirements

Applicants must be fully accepted and enrolled in an RMU graduate program and maintain required academic standing. The role requires strong professional communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Adobe.

Listed skills

• Google Suite · Preferred
• Adobe · Preferred
• written communication · Preferred
• Microsoft Office · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Donor communication
• Data segmentation
• Constituent engagement
• Written communication
• Stewardship
• Raiser's Edge NXT
• List development
• Gift receipting
• Administrative operations
• Research
• Grant administration
• Database management
• Adobe
• Microsoft Office
• Google Suite
• Professional writing
• Database Management
• Sales Prospecting
• Administrative Functions
• Professional Writing
• Data Segmentation
• Communication
• Leadership
• Interpersonal Communications
• Operations
• Planned Giving
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Writing
• Google Workspace
• Detail Oriented

Job areas

• Education
• Administrative
• Data & Analytics
• University Assistant
• Unclassified Specialized Occupation