Job Description

Details

Open Date 10/02/2026 Requisition Number PRN46389B Job Title Donor Relations Specialist Working Title Philanthropy and Communications Events Coordinator Career Progression Track P00 Track Level P2 - Developing, P1 - Entry Level Pro FLSA Code Professional Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary

The schedule for this position is designed to be primarily onsite, M-F with normal office hours, though due to the nature of this position, evenings and weekends are required as necessary when we have scheduled events and projects on deadline.

VP Area Academic Affairs Department 00018 - Utah Museum of Natl Hist Oper Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range 45,900-56,500 Close Date 11/02/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) Job Summary

The Natural History Museum of Utah seeks an enthusiastic and highly-motivated Philanthropy and Communications Events Coordinator to help advance the Museum’s diverse fundraising and marketing initiatives. Reporting to the Manager, Philanthropy & Major Gifts, the successful candidate will support the Philanthropy and Communications Department by: designing and executing a robust calendar of donor and member events; supporting the fulfillment of special, private donor events and donor travel to domestic and international locations; managing relationships with event vendors and partners; tracking event expenses and pending invoices; assisting with setup needs related to press conferences and special marketing events; assisting with our annual summer Gala; and providing general support to the department.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

• Plan and produce NHMU Philanthropy and Communications Department annual eventsincluding special exhibition openings, Copper Club events, Member Preview Days, Lecture Series events, donor stewardship activities, weekend donor field trips, and more.
• Coordinate special events and activities related to the fulfillment of items sold through our annual fundraising gala. Examples of past projects include: planning a cocktail party and behind-the-scenes tour for 20 people at the Museum; designing and helping to book a nine-day trip to Argentina for two; creating a complete itinerary and coordinating equipment and reservations for a seven-day camping trip through Wyoming and Idaho for two; and more.
• Support department colleagues working in the PR and Marketing team as needed by helping to schedule and set up for promotional video shoots and press conferences.
• Provide critical day-to-day support of the Museum’s Philanthropy team including help with event invitations, tracking RSVPs, managing the reservation of event spaces, administrative tasks, and more. – Assist with the planning, preparation, and execution of NHMU’s Annual Gala.
• Work with members of the Museum’s Philanthropy Team to implement a wide range of special initiatives designed to foster deeper engagement for NHMU donors, including tours of the Museum and other unique experiences.

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Donor Relations Specialist, I: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) with up to 2 years of directly related work experience or a master’s (or equivalency) degree.

Donor Relations Specialist, II: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences

The successful candidate should have: strong event skills and availability to attend weekend and evening events as the calendar requires; very strong organizational skills and attention to detail; the ability to work with a wide range of partners — including gala committees, vendors, internal departments, and others — to execute successful events. The ideal candidate approaches projects with a sense of urgency, is eager to help execute a wide variety of tasks, enjoys ensuring even the smallest jobs are completed with the greatest attention to detail, and has a passion for the mission of the Natural History Museum of Utah. Experience with CRM software is a plus, but not required.

Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.