The Association of American Law Schools seeks an enthusiastic, organized, and detail-oriented team player to support the fundraising work that is essential to moving our mission and vision forward. The Development Specialist provides critical administrative and operational support for the planning and execution of AALS development programs and fundraising initiatives, working under the Director of Development and in collaboration with the Executive Director and AALS Communications, Meetings, Technology, and Finance teams.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Data Management & Administration

• Support daily administrative operations for AALS development programs and fundraising initiatives.
• Manage the CRM database to maintain accurate, up-to-date information on revenue, donor pipelines, sponsors, and exhibitors.
• Coordinate development activities involving the Executive Director, board members, and key volunteers.
• Monitor key metrics with the Development Director to assess program effectiveness and year over year performance.
• Prepare accurate, ongoing reports on revenue progress and donor activity. 

Donor Management and Engagement

• Implement donor engagement and communication processes, including drafting direct mail and email campaigns in collaboration with Communications.
• Coordinate stewardship activities, ensuring timely and compliant gift acknowledgments.
• Produce donor listings for the website and program materials.
• Manage thank-you calls, emails, and other donor recognition efforts.
• Assist in managing funder contracts from initiation through completion.
• Conduct prospect research, identify and prioritize new prospects, funders, and develop tailored engagement strategies.

Development Communications

• Serve as a liaison to Communications, Meetings, and Tech teams to ensure consistent implementation of development-related content across AALS platforms and applications.
• Assist with annual updates to public-facing websites, including events, Fellows, Corporate & Nonprofit Relationships, and the Law Firm Leadership Circle pages.
• Manage direct marketing campaigns, donor recognition initiatives, donation reconciliation with Finance, and donor listings across web and print.
• Support creation of external collateral such as the annual report, board meeting reports, and digital publications.
• Support the Communication Team in other research activities.

Special Events and Meetings

• Support logistical planning and execution of donor-focused in person and virtual meetings and events.
• Assist with implementing Sponsor and Exhibitor Programs at the Annual Meeting, Clinical and New Law Teachers, including sending speaker confirmations and preparing presenters, as appropriate.
• Ensure fulfillment of sponsor and exhibitor packages, including advertising placement and listings in digital and print materials.
• Process exhibitor confirmations and invoices; distribute on-site information (shipping, AV, internet) and provide exhibitor details to registration.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED

• Bachelor's degree required
• 2+ years’ experience working in nonprofit fundraising
• Demonstrated ability to identify and solicit funds from corporations and individuals
• Excellent written/oral communication skills
• Demonstrated track record with respect to detail orientation and accuracy
• Knowledge of principles, ethics and practices of successful fundraising
• Ability to lead multiple long- and short-term projects simultaneously, meeting all related deadlines
• Ability to plan, prioritize, coordinate, and manage own work
• Ability to work unsupervised and make decisions and solve problems independently, effectively and creatively
• Excellent verbal communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills to
• Effectively work with a variety of people and personalities; ability to communicate clearly in person and in writing
• Proven ability to work effectively with board members, colleagues, donors and volunteers
• Ability to present, inform and motivate individuals and groups about mission and service
• Goal-oriented, persistent and persuasive in the contact, follow-through and completion of acquiring donor gifts

This is a full-time, hybrid position.