Gift Specialist (HR Title: Advancement Records Specialist I)

Hourly Range: $23.08 per hour About SMU SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences , Cox School of Business , Lyle School of Engineering , Meadows School of the Arts , Simmons School of Education and Human Development , Dedman School of Law , Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies . SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact. SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry. About the Department: Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body. DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development. SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fundraising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact. About the Position: This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Gift Specialist position is responsible for the daily processing of charitable contributions to the University in a timely manner in accordance with SMU policies, IRS regulations, and FASB, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education guidelines. This role handles gift processing & maintenance of University constituent data which includes project work involving data updates and generating charitable tax receipts while providing stellar customer service & demonstrating keen problem solving skills. Duties & responsibilities include (not limited to): processing gifts & updating donors’ biographical & demographical information in SMU’s constituent database; maintaining & updating information, creating & modifying data, assisting with data cleanup, & document imaging. The position requires a high degree of professionalism, attention to detail, and an awareness and involvement in preparing and/or approving financial deposits. Essential Functions: Process and enter gifts, pledges, and transactional information into the University's donor database from a number of different sources and payment methods. Complete all tasks associated with electronically batched gift entry to ensure timely charitable receipts and donor stewardship, including appropriate biographical and demographic information. Perform documented steps to record complex transactions such as pledges, planned gifts, in-kind and stock gifts, pre-deposit and matching payment transactions. Accuracy is the primary objective. Analyze gift documentation to determine legal donor, gift category, appropriate fund, and gift eligibility. Work with gift officers to coordinate donor information and intent. Verify and update biographical information in donor database from a multitude of sources; scan and link revenue documentation into imaging system; maintain accurate constituent gift biographical history records through research and corrections. Special database clean-up projects on a scheduled and as needed basis. Sort and group gifts received by mail and in person following intake best practices; manage processes such as pledge payment reminders, tax receipts, recurring gifts & automated pledge payments. Make informed decisions about proper entry, allocation, & documentation of University donations. Communicate with internal & external stakeholders as needed & staff department email/phone "Help" lines. Occasional overtime work may be required during peak times. Hourly Range: $23.08 per hour About SMU SMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences , Cox School of Business , Lyle School of Engineering , Meadows School of the Arts , Simmons School of Education and Human Development , Dedman School of Law , Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies . SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact. SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry. About the Department: Development and External Affairs (DEA) supports SMU by securing funding for University priorities; by promoting meaningful involvement in the life and work of the University; by heightening international, national, state and local awareness of SMU; and by supporting the enrollment of a diverse and able student body. DEA comprises the offices of Office of the Senior Vice President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, Development Services, Program Services and Donor Relations, Principal and Major Gifts, and School and Project Development. SMU continues to leverage the benefits from the largest fundraising campaign in its history to achieve dramatic increases in academic quality and impact. About the Position: This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Gift Specialist position is responsible for the daily processing of charitable contributions to the University in a timely manner in accordance with SMU policies, IRS regulations, and FASB, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education guidelines. This role handles gift processing & maintenance of University constituent data which includes project work involving data updates and generating charitable tax receipts while providing stellar customer service & demonstrating keen problem solving skills. Duties & responsibilities include (not limited to): processing gifts & updating donors’ biographical & demographical information in SMU’s constituent database; maintaining & updating information, creating & modifying data, assisting with data cleanup, & document imaging. The position requires a high degree of professionalism, attention to detail, and an awareness and involvement in preparing and/or approving financial deposits. Essential Functions: Process and enter gifts, pledges, and transactional information into the University's donor database from a number of different sources and payment methods. Complete all tasks associated with electronically batched gift entry to ensure timely charitable receipts and donor stewardship, including appropriate biographical and demographic information. Perform documented steps to record complex transactions such as pledges, planned gifts, in-kind and stock gifts, pre-deposit and matching payment transactions. Accuracy is the primary objective. Analyze gift documentation to determine legal donor, gift category, appropriate fund, and gift eligibility. Work with gift officers to coordinate donor information and intent. Verify and update biographical information in donor database from a multitude of sources; scan and link revenue documentation into imaging system; maintain accurate constituent gift biographical history records through research and corrections. Special database clean-up projects on a scheduled and as needed basis. Sort and group gifts received by mail and in person following intake best practices; manage processes such as pledge payment reminders, tax receipts, recurring gifts & automated pledge payments. Make informed decisions about proper entry, allocation, & documentation of University donations. Communicate with internal & external stakeholders as needed & staff department email/phone "Help" lines. Occasional overtime work may be required during peak times. Education and Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree is preferred. A minimum of one (1) year of full-time work experience in data entry is required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills Demonstrated experience in a customer service environment with diplomacy and professionalism and the ability to work with people with varying technical skills is essential. Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. Candidate must have strong time management skills and experience in prioritizing competing priorities and completing projects in a timely manner. Candidate must have working knowledge of or the ability to learn university infrastructure, policies, and procedures. Must also have ability to safeguard confidential information and adhere to database security protocols. Candidate must have intermediate skill level in using Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word. Experience with relational database and/or donor management software such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge or SunGard Advance is preferred. Knowledge of fundraising terminology and best practices/business rules is preferred. Knowledge of donor database/Blackbaud CRM, IRS charitable guidelines and CASE standards desired. Physical and Environmental Demands: Sit for long periods of time Deadline to Apply: Open until filled. Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by June 22, 2026 EEO Statement SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. Benefits: SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution. SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU. The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities , including tuition benefits . Education and Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree is preferred. A minimum of one (1) year of full-time work experience in data entry is required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication skills Demonstrated experience in a customer service environment with diplomacy and professionalism and the ability to work with people with varying technical skills is essential. Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills. Candidate must have strong time management skills and experience in prioritizing competing priorities and completing projects in a timely manner. Candidate must have working knowledge of or the ability to learn university infrastructure, policies, and procedures. Must also have ability to safeguard confidential information and adhere to database security protocols. Candidate must have intermediate skill level in using Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word. Experience with relational database and/or donor management software such as Blackbaud Raiser's Edge or SunGard Advance is preferred. Knowledge of fundraising terminology and best practices/business rules is preferred. Knowledge of donor database/Blackbaud CRM, IRS charitable guidelines and CASE standards desired. Physical and Environmental Demands: Sit for long periods of time Deadline to Apply: Open until filled. Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by June 22, 2026 EEO Statement SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. Benefits: SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefit s. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution. SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU. The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities , including tuition benefits .

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