Development Associate

Company: Northeastern University
Location: Boston
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

About the Opportunity Job Summary Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President, Development (SAVP), this is a critical member of the University Advancement team. The Development Associate works closely with the SAVP, an Executive Director of Advancement who focuses on top prospects for the Dean of College of Engineering and the Dean of College of Professional Studies(ED), a Director of Major Gifts responsible for subject matter at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences as well as other schools and/or programs, and an Assistant Director of Major Gifts with subject matter responsibility for College of Professional Studies(ADMG) as well as other schools and/or programs. The role requires frequent collaborations with other Development staff, academic leaders across campus, Alumni Relations, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Advancement, the Office of the Provost, and the Office of the President. This position requires an energetic and personable individual with excellent interpersonal and written communication skills who thrives in a collaborative, complex, and fast-paced environment. The Development Associate provides executive support and logistics management for the SAVP and one to three additional development officers, to ensure clear and timely day-to-day communications. Responsibilities include managing expense reports and reconciling departmental budgets, composing and proofreading correspondence and reports, coordinating mailings and weekly gift acknowledgments, and handling general office administration including phones, filing, and document preparation. The Development Associate works independently with minimal supervision, proactively updating the SAVP on project status and priorities. Core responsibilities include database management, prospect research and analysis, briefing preparation, event coordination, and drafting and editing correspondence and documents. The Development Associate provides comprehensive administrative support to the SAVP, an Executive Director of Advancement who focuses on top prospects for the Dean of College of Engineering and the Dean of College of Professional Studies(ED), a Director of Major Gifts responsible for subject matter at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences as well as other schools and/or programs, and an Assistant Director of Major Gifts with subject matter responsibility for College of Professional Studies(ADMG) as well as other schools and/or programs. This includes developing detailed briefings with biographical information and meeting logistics, gathering and maintaining data, and preparing reports using various software systems. The role requires organizing and implementing administrative systems and procedures to ensure efficient and effective operations for senior leadership. The ideal candidate is comfortable engaging with alumni, parents, and faculty through phone and in-person interactions and serves as a liaison with groups across the university. Minimum Qualifications Excellent verbal and written communication skills required. A writing and/or journalism background a plus. Must be able to exercise discretion and good judgment when dealing with confidential and sensitive material. Ability to manage and facilitate an intense workload while producing quality results in a fast-paced environment while working on multiple priority projects. Strong organizational skills required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Outlook; knowledge of Salesforce a plus. Must possess the necessary interpersonal skills to build relationships with internal and external constituents to include donors, prospects, alumni, parents, deans, faculty, and staff. Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through completion of an Associate's degree, certificate program, or equivalent. One or more years of experience in office management, administration, or customer service environment (higher education, development, and/or communication experience preferred). Key Responsibilities Administrative and Office Management Provide executive-level support and logistics management for the Senior Assistant Vice President (SAVP), Executive Director (ED), Director of Major Gifts (DMG), and Assistant Director of Major Gifts (ADMG). Manage complex calendars, coordinate travel arrangements, and reconcile travel expenses. Prepare gift documentation, review and process expense reports for SAVP approval, and reconcile monthly departmental budgets. Communication and Prospect Management Prepare materials for events and meetings with donor prospects, including researching and developing comprehensive briefings to ensure all data is accurate and current. Draft timely follow-up correspondence after meetings and events, debrief team members on next steps, and document interactions in the database. Compose, proofread, and edit correspondence, reports, and other materials for leadership. Serve as a key point of contact with alumni, donors, and prospects. Coordinate mailings, support volunteer recruitment efforts, and conduct outreach to prospective donors for travel visits. Act as liaison with central Advancement and other university units. Reporting and Progress Management Provide regular progress reports to the SAVP on staff performance toward fundraising goals. Lead database management efforts to ensure timely and accurate entry of key contacts, correspondence, and strategies in the relationship management system for major and principal gift prospects. Design and extract reports to monitor strategic activity with prospects and donors. Implement and maintain systems that ensure strategic follow-up by senior administrators and faculty. Other Duties Coordinate departmental events and provide support to other Development activities as needed. Perform additional duties as assigned. Position Type Advancement Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 106H Expected Hiring Range: $23.37 - $32.14 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Keywords: Northeastern University, Boston , Development Associate, Administration, Clerical , Boston, Massachusetts