Paralegal - Project Management, Office of the Sr. Development Counsel, Alumni Engagement

Project Manager/Paralegal

Senior Development Counsel in the Office of the Senior Associate Vice President, Alumni Engagement & Development

Occupational Summary

Provide general coordinated oversight and leadership of the gift acceptance process (including donor/reputational due diligence and related matters), the drafting of pledge and gift agreements, and the processing and implementation of pledge and gift documentation and related administrative processes in support of the strategic needs of development and academic leadership. The position requires broad general knowledge in the legal field, optimally with experience in trust/estate administration and accounting, document assembly and database management. Position reports directly to the Senior Development Counsel.

Work Performed

Gift Acceptance Process Management – 30%

• Develop, lead, and maintain strategic and effective processes and procedures to support the integrity of the gift acceptance process around donor vetting (clearance/approval) and potential reputational consequences, and the alignment of prospective gifts with institutional priorities.
• Co-Lead with Senior Development Counsel on the creation of an annual operating plan and manage the process for tracking progress toward key goals and objectives.
• Serve as point of contact for inquiries and requests by internal constituencies, including Office of Prospect Research, Management and Analytics, Campaign Office, Office of Alumni and Development Records, and Office of Endowment Administration.
• Supervise, as appropriate, and coordinate workflow with Staff Associate/Special Assistant to the Senior Associate Vice President.
• Coordinate with team and external constituencies to ensure smooth functioning of daily operations, including handling unexpected requests and other activities as they occur.

Gift Agreement Drafting and Administration - 45%

• Manage drafting, processing, and execution of gift and pledge agreements for gifts to Duke University and Duke University Health System under the direction of Senior Development Counsel. Coordinate with the Office of Endowment Administration as required.
• Develop and manage central database/repository of executed legal agreements and other data/materials related to gift acceptance, processing, and stewardship, requiring confidentiality, accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail.
• Create and manage with Senior Development Counsel comprehensive gift and pledge agreement templates and forms.
• Serve as primary point of contact for development teams across campus with respect to the drafting of gift agreements.
• Develop and manage processes and procedures to track and report production and progress of documents.

Other Related Tasks - 25%

• Assist Senior Development Counsel with complex gifts and related research.
• Work with Senior Development Counsel on Office of Counsel projects, as assigned.
• Complete projects as may be assigned by the Senior Development Counsel and Office of Alumni Engagement and Development.
• Work with Office of Endowment Administration, as required.
• Serve as a liaison for DU/DUHS with outside legal counsel, personal representatives, retirement plan administrators, donors, and family members, as required.
• Become familiar with the internal organization and workings of Duke University and Duke University Health System.
• Other tasks as assigned.

Required Skills 

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, etc.)

Microsoft Teams

Adobe Pro

Box

Required Behavioral Competencies

• Collaboration with others: Ability to work collaboratively, formally and informally within one’s team and across the organization.
• Goal & Task Management: Prioritize and coordinate tasks with attention to deadlines, concurrent management of projects and ability to create and follow a set strategy for short and long-term goals and objectives; strong organizational skills.
• Curiosity & Information Seeking: Expresses an underlying curiosity in people and an ability to go beyond questions that are routine to gain a deeper level of understanding.
• Decisiveness & Judgment: Uses sound judgment to make appropriate, timely decisions in complex situations for which there are no set procedures.
• Ability to influence: Ability to move or persuade others to act in a desired way. Uses indirect influence.
• Flexibility: The ability to adapt to and work effectively with a variety of situations, and with various individuals. Adapts tactics appropriately.
• Dealing with Ambiguity: Makes decisions and takes action with limited information. Anticipates impact of change and directs self and others in smoothly shifting gears.
• Expressing ideas orally and in writing: Able to communicate ideas, thoughts, and facts effectively and persuasively, orally, and in writing.
• Listening: Is an “active listener.” Establishes rapport with and is receptive to speaker and picks up on underlying messages.
• Organizational Awareness: Ability to learn and understand organizational relationships and dynamics. Uses networks, alliances, and individuals to achieve objectives.
• Leadership: Ability to effectively manage and guide group efforts. Takes an active role in developing motivational strategies.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Requires broad general knowledge in the legal field, with specific knowledge in document production and document/database management.

Preferred Experience: 5 years of related business, legal or administrative experience.

A master's degree in a business-related field or a degree in paralegal studies may be substituted for 2 years of experience.

Duke Required Qualifications at this Level

Education/Training:

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent combination of relevant education and professional experience. Requires broad general knowledge in the legal and/or medical field.

Preferred Associate Degree in NC Paralegal Studies and broad general knowledge in the legal field.

Experience:

Two years working in related field.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.