As a member of the Development leadership team the Senior Director for Annual Giving oversees the development, management and evaluation of strategic and tactical long-/short-term program plans and budgets for a comprehensive annual giving program. The incumbent directs communications, services and solicitation activities that engage and encourage participation of alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends of the university to successfully increase annual philanthropic support while advancing the greater development and campaign goals of University Advancement. The Senior Director actively participates in the development and implementation of communications, programs and events to engage and connect alumni with the university. In support of activities to further pipeline development, the position maintains a target portfolio of leadership annual giving prospects and conducts personal solicitation efforts; manages the gift renewal process and fosters relationships with key constituencies. The incumbent fosters the growth of best practices and leads the investigation and adoption of new solicitation methods and channels.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Oversee all annual giving programs such as SJSU Fund, college and unit appeals, faculty/staff, senior gift, recent graduates, parent and special programs, and related alumni and donor relations programs
• Provide leadership, oversight and direction to the Leadership Annual Giving program, including timely review of portfolios and establishing metrics to evaluate performance/success
• Develop annual giving and alumni/donor relations strategies that support the greater University Advancement, and university, mission and campaign goals
• Create, implement and evaluate comprehensive annual and multi-year plans that engages prospects and new donors, acquires new donors, retains current donors and renews past donors
• Formulate and execute strategies for the effective use of a variety of outreach and communication methods and solicitation channels including direct marketing, e-giving, crowdfunding, text messaging, telemarketing and social media; investigate and adopt new methods and channels for engagement
• Develop, analyze and present informational and statistical/financial reports to unit, division, campus administration, volunteer boards and others
• Serve as a liaison to the broader university community and external and community groups to share information about annual giving
• Maintain a portfolio of 50 leadership Annual Giving prospects with a focus on higher capacity leadership-level annual donors

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

• Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of fundraising for higher education and superior knowledge of the best practices within the annual giving field
• Ability to design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive annual giving program, establishing goals and objectives that translate into operating plans and appropriate staff assignments and resource allocation
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• High level of initiative, attention to detail and organization skills; ability to successfully direct multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure
• Ability to provide direction, and to motivate, develop and educate professional and support staff through communication, modeling appropriate behavior, optimism and high achievement
• Knowledge of data management and analysis techniques, database management and gift processing
• Must be able to work weekend and evenings when assigned

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution
• Five years of work experience in fundraising in higher education fundraising, campaigns and annual giving
• Experience with integration of the annual fund into an organizations greater fundraising goals and ability to be flexible in working independently as well as collaboratively with Development units
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Word, software tools
• Experience working independently, and in collaboration with other staff, handling multiple diverse projects
• Excellent written communications skills

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Knowledge and proven success in fundraising and campaigns and an analytical ability to recognize opportunities and prioritize them to attain goals
• Experience with integration of the annual fund into an organizations’ greater fundraising goals
• Leadership, managerial, and supervisory skills and a track record of success in leading and mentoring a staff of fundraising professionals

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: February 17, 2022 through March 6, 2022. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement as a condition of employment.

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).