Summary Statement

Reporting to the Chief of Strategic Initiatives, the Director of Development for Annual & Digital Giving is a key leader in managing a strategic marketing and fundraising program for UC Santa Cruz. The Director will work in collaboration with faculty, staff, student groups, divisional-based development officers, marketing and communications, and others to ensure strategic messaging and compatible branding and marketing. It will be important this individual monitor annual giving and unrestricted giving support regularly and prepare reports to be shared with University Relations, divisional leadership, and campus. The incumbent will have a thorough understanding of, and insight into, the new media landscape including social media tools and trends, social media monitoring, and analysis.

The Director will work to develop strategies that integrate traditional annual giving methodologies and crowdfunding/Giving Day strategies. This individual will explore ways to expand the implementation of crowdfunding as a lead Annual Giving tool. Additionally, this position requires familiarity with crowdfunding platform technology, editing and the creation of content, development, maintenance and on-line strategy as well as knowledge and experience with web platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn blogs, podcasts, and other emerging web communication. The selected candidate will have a thorough understanding of various analytical tools to interpret donor giving throughout campus, and the ability to develop future strategy based on past performance. The Director will be responsible for acting as the strategic leader and project manager of Giving Day. This will include creating and overseeing a committee, developing strategy for content and structure, and ensuring successful day-of execution. This position will also lead the process of creating a comprehensive solicitation calendar annually and overseeing the implementations of that calendar.

University Relations supports the teaching, research, and public service of UC Santa Cruz by making and keeping deep, heartfelt connections. Building enduring relationships among students, alumni, faculty, donors, and others is the lifeblood of our work and helps to make UC Santa Cruz a thriving community of knowledge, inquiry, public service, and social mobility.

We are a welcoming group of ambitious and creative professionals pursuing our mission in support of the university’s overarching purpose. We take our work seriously because we care – but we don’t take ourselves too seriously! The University Relations culture is lively and dynamic; we value collaboration; and our staff is resourceful, enthusiastic, and hard-working.

The division is a fun, friendly, and open place, and staff is supportive of and positive about one and other’s goals and aspirations. We often jump in to help where needed, rolling up our sleeves to get the job done. We dare to approach challenges as opportunities. Our custom is to seek creative ways to overcome obstacles, at times with limited resources, while keeping our eye on the objective: helping students achieve their goals, providing crucial public service, and advancing life-changing research and discovery.

Qualifications / Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Proficient working with donor databases and reporting systems.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a myriad of people of differing temperaments, socioeconomic backgrounds, and political/ethical philosophies; and to be tactful, diplomatic, and attentive in personal contacts with donors, external constituencies, and university personnel.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and decision-making skills to prioritize work, meet deadlines for simultaneous projects, and make decisions using independent judgment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills sufficient to prepare and deliver reports and presentations to both small and large groups.
• Excellent organizational skills, including an ability to prioritize projects and work flow, and make decisions using independent judgment.
• Strong computer skills, preferably in a mixed Macintosh-Windows environment, with proficient working knowledge of common software programs, e.g. MS Office Suite.
• Experience and/or skills sufficient to prepare, produce, and statistically analyze trends and create reports.
• Experience using social media platforms to engage volunteers and promote initiatives.
• Knowledge and experience working with volunteers.
• Familiarity with crowdfunding and online grassroots campaigns.
• Ability to work effectively in both a team environment and in an independent/unsupervised capacity.
• Basic understanding of fund-raising principles.

Preferred Qualifications / Competencies

• Knowledge and understanding of academic administration, academic and research goals, and external relations goals of a research institution and academic unit.
• Knowledge and experience with Community Funded platform.
• Experience with the principles and ethics of professional fundraising, preferably in an educational institution.
• Experience and/or skills sufficient to use market research techniques to: ascertain customer satisfaction, plan, develop and evaluate programs, and generate revenue.
• Experience managing staff.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Will be required to complete Title IX (Sexual Harassment) training every two years.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to travel as a University Relations representative, and/or on behalf of UC Santa Cruz business.
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends as required.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=pen&group=11001-12000&file=11164-11174.3

EEO/Affirmative Action Statement

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.