Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

The Advancement Division supports the Swarthmore College mission by building and strengthening relationships with alumni and parents/families, communicating the needs and achievements of the College so that they can make their most meaningful contributions. These contributions may be in the form of expertise, ideas, insights, guidance of current students or young alumni, leadership, time, or money, and the relationships they reflect should be mutually beneficial and satisfying.

The Individual Giving Department of the Advancement Division engages with leadership donors (philanthropic giving capacity of $100K and higher) to advance the strategic priorities of the College.

The opportunity:

Swarthmore College seeks an Advancement Program Coordinator to join a highly collaborative and motivated team of development and alumni relations professionals at a pivotal time in Swarthmore’s history, as it launches an ambitious $100M campaign to construct a new athletic center and seeks to implement Swarthmore Forward, a strategic plan that emphasizes holistic development of the student, integrating advising and academic excellence with opportunities for personal growth, recreation, civic engagement, and joy.

The Advancement Program Coordinator reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Capital Giving & Campaigns and serves as a project manager for high-impact fundraising campaign activity. This includes a wide range of high-level support including writing, reporting, project planning, campaign budget and resource oversight, event and committee coordination, and related tasks. The Advancement Program Coordinator will provide organizational support for campaign committees and other leadership councils, prepare briefings for meetings and events, and assist with select donor communications and events.

Essential Responsibilities

• Coordinate all activities supporting volunteer advancement committees and other leadership councils:
• Track any follow-up actions resulting from committee meetings or individual or smaller group meetings of volunteers are recorded, shared with appropriate College staff, and executed.
• Execute all details of meetings, including scheduling, general meeting preparation, and recording minutes.
• Prepare briefings in partnership with Prospect Discovery & Development colleagues and follow-up materials for volunteer solicitors. Support volunteers in their advancement-related correspondence.
• Provide high-level support for campaigns / other defined fundraising initiatives:
• Manage a calendar of cultivation and solicitation activities and partner with the Advancement Events team and other Advancement staff on execution.
• Coordinate the development and production of print and digital materials and ensure they are up-to-date.
• Draft a variety of written materials as assigned.
• Create and maintain a filing system of campaign materials and correspondence.
• Working in tandem with other advancement colleagues, ensure that every campaign gift and pledge is managed seamlessly so that the donor is promptly, officially thanked and thanked again by other members of the volunteer campaign team.
• Work with Gift & Data Records to ensure that each gift is credited appropriately in the database, noting any on-going pledge payments and reminders.
• Update campaign reports and have current campaign reports easily accessible.
• Oversee the campaign budget and resources.
• Produce regular campaign status reports on income and expense.

Who you are:

• Exceptional communication skills with special emphasis on advanced writing ability and editing. Ability to communicate effectively with prospective donors and College administrators.
• Mature judgment and the ability to plan and accomplish goals independently.
• Strong skill in dealing with people, using tact and diplomacy, and maintaining a high level of confidentiality. Strong customer service skills.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated organizational and research abilities with strong attention to detail, including analyzing large volumes of information from disparate sources and synthesizing it in a cogent and concise form.
• Advanced proficiency with Word, Excel, database software, and reporting, as well as the ability to conduct data analysis and work with financial information.
• Strong skill in articulating the value of higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work, manage multiple tasks involving many stakeholders, and meet deadlines in a time-constrained environment.
• Ability to initiate and complete tasks with minimal supervision, exercising discretion and independent judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a fundraising setting.
• Experience working in a college or university setting, especially in a comprehensive fundraising campaign environment.
• Understanding of how data is used to inform decision-making.
• Proficiency with G Suite (especially Google Docs and Sheets), PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with pay expectations including a resume, cover letter, and writing sample by November 15, 2024. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled.

Please submit a writing sample for each of the prompts below with your application materials:

• An email or letter written in the voice of a volunteer committee member, which asks a prospective donor to entertain a meeting with the volunteer and the President of the College to discuss a high-impact project.
• An email or letter written in the voice of a volunteer committee member, which thanks the prospective donor for the meeting they just had together with the President of the College, and which should include agenda follow-up items.

PA Criminal Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Review the 2024 Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2024 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

2025 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and those with underrepresented identities are encouraged to apply.