University of California San Diego seeks an experienced Executive Director of Annual Giving (ED-AG) to identify, solicit, retain and reactivate donors in annual giving programs. The ED-AG will oversee the acquisition, retention, and stewardship of donors whose interests align with UC San Diego’s strategic and philanthropic priorities and are identified through annual giving integrated direct marketing.

The ED-AG has primary responsibility for managing annual giving integrated direct marketing participation in existing and future campaigns, as well as developing and implementing post-campaign and pipeline-feeding fundraising strategies.

Incumbent has the primary responsibility to provide leadership and overall program strategy in planning, coordinating and implementing annual giving fundraising programs for university initiatives, particularly for integrated direct marketing. On an ongoing basis, the incumbent will analyze program results and impact, making adjustments as necessary to ensure continued success and growth. The ED-AG has primary responsibility for the recruitment, training, evaluation, coaching and retention of professional staff in areas of responsibility.

The ED-AG will work with the Managing Senior Executive Director of Central Fundraising, Advancement Operations and Campaign (AOC) to ensure efforts are coordinated with Advancement and academic leadership and are in alignment with university and philanthropic priorities.

The ED-AG will create an environment that enhances communication and encourages collaboration between and among the colleagues across campus and Advancement, partnering closely with AOC central programs on data, analytics, marketing, communications and stewardship.

Serves as a member of the Central Advancement leadership team providing strategic insight and guidance to Advancement leadership regarding annual giving fundraising programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated experience at creating and implementing a fundamental plan for successful annual giving fundraising programs, including feasibility studies, identification of integrated marketing projects, establishment of priorities, strategy, cultivation and solicitation, negotiation, finalization of proposals and follow through, while providing leadership to staff.

• Knowledge of integrated direct marketing practices to provide direction to special programs for outreach to prospective and continuing donors.

• Expert working knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.

• Expert knowledge of all aspects of the location, including current issues of concern for both the campus and / or throughout higher education / healthcare, generally. Expert knowledge of the location, including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure. Demonstrated outreach/fundraising experience in a large, complex, public university.

• Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location in order to secure gifts. Proven record of writing proposals for a significant project/leadership annual gift level ($100,000) directed at individuals.

• Expert organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills. Expert project / program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program / project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.

• Demonstrated success at raising funds by developing and implementing strategic solicitation fund raising plans that incorporate a concise definition of goals, targeted audiences, and strategies in-line with institution and academic goals in higher education and closing annual and special gifts $100,000 and above from individuals, both local and national.

• Progressive experience in outreach/fundraising roles leading to opportunities to lead and manage individuals working in a different program and/or disciplinary roles.

• Proven success working in a highly sophisticated donor-centered fundraising environment in annual giving, alumni engagement or similar environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge, accountability, and comprehension skills to formulate budgetary planning and prioritization of projects, programs and activities, using sound judgment while meeting organizational skills.

• Demonstrated personnel management skills to provide guidance to maintain a strong team of players. Dispense appropriate disciplinary action when necessary. Ability to hire, train, supervise and evaluate staff. A good faith effort to advocate UCSD’s affirmative action program when hiring individuals. Individual shall be evaluated annually.

• Demonstrated expertise to utilize on-line databases and other software to create, retrieve, and compile up-to-the-minute documents and historical information for reports.

• Exceptional leadership skills, with the ability to represent UC San Diego favorably to both campus and community constituents.

• Proven ability in developing an effective volunteer structure to maximize the strengths of volunteers, thereby creating a sound, strong volunteer base for fund raising purposes.

• Ability to inspire confidence by displaying a strong sense of ethical conduct that will effectively motivate and persuade diverse groups.

• Proven ability to provide critical analysis, using sound judgment with realistic expectations for projected results.

DUE TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND CAMPUS CURTAILMENT, APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AFTER THE FILING DEADLINE IN DECEMBER AND INTERVIEWS WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 2024. THIS POSITION WILL REMAIN OPENED UNTIL FILLED.