Gift Processing Specialist

Purpose

Advancement at York leads and inspires meaningful engagement and philanthropic support from alumni and friends to advance the University's mission. We are also deeply committed to building the reputation of York University as a leading, progressive, research-intensive University uniquely positioned for the betterment of society in the 21st century.

Our division is comprised of four departments:

• Advancement Services & Operations is the administrative and technology support unit for all Advancement activities
• Alumni Engagement provides programs, services, and engagement to over 350,000 York alumni worldwide
• Development leads efforts to promote and secure philanthropic support from alumni, donors, friends, corporations, and foundations
• Advancement Communications & Marketing works to promote and communicate alumni and donor messages along with direct marketing services for alumni and donor engagement

Our mission is to inspire and cultivate meaningful engagement and philanthropic support within our diverse communities to advance York University's excellence in education, research and community service. We accomplish our mission through our values of accountability, collaboration and entrepreneurship. Under the general direction of the Manager, Gift Processing & Finance, the Gift Processing Specialist (GPS), will provide coordination and direction of the day-to-day operations and services provided by the gift processing team. The GPS will bring a high degree of professionalism to facilitate the achievement of the Division's goals. The role will work closely with other staff in the Division of Advancement, the University's central Finance Office, Internal Audit, external auditors, and other university units on the administration of donations. The GPS will also work on continuous improvement projects as assigned.

Education

College diploma in a related field such as accounting, finance, bookkeeping, fundraising, or business or an equivalent of 2 years recent experience (defined as within the last five years) working at York University and performing the same or similar tasks. This education equivalency is in addition to the experiential requirements outlined below.

Experience

Minimum 3 years of experience with Gift Processing including receipting and acknowledgements in a fundraising environment. Requires a general understanding of philanthropy, as well as knowledge of operational best practices related to gift processing, receipting, and donor stewardship, including a strong understanding of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) compliance requirements. Experience coordinating the work of others is required.

1. Preparing research profiles on Individuals, Corporations and Foundations, and in preparing Wealth Indicators.
2. Reviewing financial and giving details and providing information and recommendations on potential philanthropic capacity.
3. Preparing prospecting lists of potential leads for fundraising and other advancement initiatives, programs and regional trips. Knowledge of prospect management systems an asset.
4. Conducting media reviews and identifying opportunities for distribution to advancement colleagues or for additional research.
5. Using relational databases with experience in extracting, uploading, and operating basic reporting tools.
6. Demonstrated ability to analyze data for potential trends.
7. Working with records management system(s) is an asset, in hard copy file plans, share folders and email systems.
8. Knowledge of PIPEDA and best practices in privacy-related policies are an asset.

Skills

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills to express relevant information in a clear, concise and courteous manner
• Attention to detail and accuracy required, works with financial data and reports
• Good judgment, tact and diplomacy required
• Effective organizational and administrative skills, including time management skills to develop, plan and coordinate operational activities
• Ability to train and work effectively with others
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Excellent customer service
• Ability to provide accurate information when responding to inquiries
• Work effectively under pressure of high volume and meet deadlines
• Familiarity with GL account structure, use of cost centers and recording journal entries
• Advanced level skills in Microsoft Office365 Excel and Access for inputting data, creating/updating spreadsheets, creating pivot tables, graphs, sorting and filtering data
• Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Office 365 Word for preparing documents, reports, forms, etc.

Additional Notes

This position requires the candidate to produce a verification of degree(s), credential(s), or equivalencies from accredited institutions and/or international equivalents at the time of interview.

Hours of work: Hours of work: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm or 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Summer: same
Occasional overtime will be available
Vacation restriction: Vacation may be restricted due to operational requirements and / or other staff approved absences.

Equal Opportunity

The University welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, including, but not limited to women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities (racialized), Indigenous Peoples and persons of any gender identity and sexual orientation. York University is committed to a positive, supportive and inclusive environment.

York University offers accommodation for applicants with disabilities in its recruitment processes. If you are contacted by York University regarding a job opportunity or testing, please advise if you require accommodation.

We are committed to enhancing our environmentally and socially responsible practices for the benefit of all members of the York community. Our long term perspective recognizes our responsibility to be innovators and to continually work as a community to reduce our ecological impact.