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Development Specialist

University of Arkansas
United States, Arkansas, Fayetteville
346 North West Avenue (Show on map)
Feb 06, 2026
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Closing Date:

02/19/2026 Type of Position:Major Gifts

Workstudy Position:

No Job Type:Regular
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)

Sponsorship Available:

No Institution Name: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation's top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation's strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process, please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations | OEOC | University of Arkansas (uark.edu) : Request an Accommodation. Applicants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:Development

Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:The Development Specialist is responsible for supporting the overall fundraising strategy within the Development Team at Bumpers College. The person in this role will assist with cultivating relationships with donors, partners, and sponsors by managing efforts to create and execute consistent, donor-centered touchpoints, including thank-you letters, personalized correspondence, impact updates, stewardship cadences, and post-visit follow-up communications for frontline fundraisers. The position also supports Bumpers College development staff and dean in generating gifts and sponsorship by providing stewardship tools, event planning and support, and coordinated outreach to strengthen donor engagement collegewide.

The Development Specialist will coordinate and assists with the execution of a variety of donor stewardship and engagement events such as tailgates, dinners, receptions, and happy hours, managing logistics from concept through on-site execution. The role also oversees the creation, inventory, and distribution of stewardship materials in partnership with communications teams. Additionally, the position assists in research to identify potential donors as well as with administrative duties, including expense reporting, gift tracking, data entry, calendar management, and record keeping.

The Development Specialist serves as the primary coordinator for the Dean's Advisory Council, managing meeting logistics, communications, agendas, and follow-up. The position also supports the Bumpers Alumni Society's activities, engagement, and events as directed by the Bumpers College Director of Development.

Key Responsibilities Include:

* Drafts and manages donor correspondence, including thank-you letters, impact updates, event follow-ups, and post-visit communications for fundraisers.
* Plans and executes stewardship events (tailgates, dinners, receptions, happy hours), with responsibility for overseeing setup, event flow, and post-event wrap-up.
* Supports college leadership and development team with coordinated stewardship efforts.
* Manages creation, inventory, and distribution of stewardship materials in collaboration with communications partners.
* Performs research and administrative tasks, including expense reporting, gift processing, and maintaining accurate donor data and records.
* Coordinates the Bumpers College Dean's Advisory Council.

This role is essential to cultivating a strong culture of gratitude and enhancing the donor experience throughout Bumpers College. The Development Specialist also works collaboratively with development staff in other colleges and with the UA System Division of Agriculture to support a donor-centric mission that strengthens relationships and generates revenue-producing resources for the college and the university.

Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others. Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education

  • Demonstrated experience providing administrative support to senior personnel with frequent travel, requiring a high degree of organization, coordination, and attention to detail

  • Demonstrated experience drafting professional correspondence

  • Demonstrated experience supporting the planning and execution of events

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Extensive experience providing high-level administrative support to senior personnel with complex and frequent travel, including proactive calendar management and independent follow-through

  • Advanced experience drafting, editing, and managing professional correspondence, with demonstrated attention to tone, accuracy, and presentation

  • Demonstrated experience independently coordinating and managing events, including planning, logistics, on-site execution, and post-event follow-up

  • Demonstrated experience working in a fundraising, development, or nonprofit environment, with exposure to donor relations, stewardship, or external engagement

  • Demonstrated familiarity with the external stakeholders served by the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, including alumni, donors, industry partners, and friends of the college

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

  • Knowledge of, or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the role and function of advancement and donor stewardship within a university setting

  • Outstanding customer service skills, with the ability to interact professionally with donors, alumni, senior administrators, and external stakeholders

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, professional correspondence and coordinate communications across audiences

  • Strong task and project management skills in a fast-paced, frequently changing environment

  • Exceptional attention to detail, particularly in written correspondence, event logistics, and administrative processes

  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, including document formatting, correspondence preparation, and tracking tools

  • Highly organized, task-oriented work style that reflects professionalism, accountability, and consistent follow-through

  • Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate needs, exercise sound judgment, and address issues independently

  • Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative development and administrative team

  • Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously while meeting deadlines

  • Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and exercise discretion when working with confidential records, donor information, and sensitive communications

  • Flexibility to adjust work hours as needed, including occasional evenings and weekends, to support donor events, meetings, and deadlines

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

$ 56,123

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Lucciana Lorenzetti, Recruitment Coordinator, llorenze@uark.edu

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Sitehttps://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:Criminal Background Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Talking Frequent Physical Activity:N/A Occasional Physical Activity:N/A Benefits Eligible:Yes
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