Big C Director (7139U), Intercollegiate Athletics - #83145

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Departmental Overview

Established in 1908, the Big C Society is among the campus's most historic and iconic University of California, Berkeley support groups, with over 14,000 varsity letter winners comprising the organization. The Big C Society is dissolving its 501-c3 organization to become positioned within the Intercollegiate Athletics Department at the University of California, Berkeley. The Big C Director, positioned adjacent to the Cameron Institute, will lead all strategic, operational, and innovative efforts. Exceptional leadership is desired by hiring a Big C Director to uphold and enhance this critical mission.

Position Summary

This inaugural leadership role bridges internal and external functions across the enterprise of intercollegiate athletics. The Big C Director leads the strategic outreach, recruitment, and engagement of all Cal student-athlete alumni (SAA), embedding them systematically into two key organizations: the Cameron Institute for Student-Athlete Development and the Cal Athletics Fund (CAF). In close partnership with University of Development & Alumni Relations and the Chief Alumni Officer, the Director builds frictionless pathways for alumni to contribute to current student-athletes-directly and indirectly-while cultivating a long-term pathway for philanthropic support.

The Big C Director develops scalable systems and signature opportunities for alumni engagement across multiple touchpoints: mentorship, career development, The Golden Bear Network, and the Mentorship Program. This includes facilitating structured networking between alumni and student-athletes, fostering reciprocal civic engagement partnerships, and activating alumni participation in existing community initiatives. The role also supports the senior class's annual transition into alumni life. May collaborate with the Associate Athletics Director for NIL to engage alumni interested in Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities. Participation in team-specific and large-scale events (e.g., Hall of Fame) reinforces sustained connection and visibility. Evaluates gaps in historical support for revenue-sport alumni and develops targeted engagement approaches to reconnect and re-engage them post-competition.

In addition to programmatic leadership, the Director sets the vision, operational strategy, and innovation agenda for key organizational pillars: the Big C Board, membership models, letterwinner dues and communications, data and engagement analytics, loyalty programming, and digital platforms. The role ensures integration with campus-wide alumni data systems and tracks impact via the UC Berkeley engagement dashboard.

Administrative oversight includes managing Big C operations and budget, in coordination with the CAF Associate and Big C Board members. The Director contributes actively to the strategic direction and culture of both the Cameron Institute and the Cal Athletics Fund.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 01/19/2026.

Responsibilities

Lead Alumni Engagement Strategy & Programming

• Design and execute systems for alumni engagement across the Cameron Institute and Cal Athletics Fund, with a focus on career development, mentorship, and community engagement.
• Support coaches and teams with best practices for alumni engagement, including LinkedIn-based communications.
• Guide the annual transition of senior student-athletes into alumni status; create pathways to remain connected and involved.
• Host at least one annual networking event connecting alumni and student-athletes.
• Continuously evaluate and adapt engagement strategies to meet evolving alumni and department needs.

Drive Strategic Operations & Program Development

• Lead innovation and operational oversight of core Big C Society functions, including Letterwinner Philosophy, dues structure, membership models, data infrastructure, and strategic communications (website, social media, etc.).
• Build and manage alumni giving pipelines that align with broader fundraising goals and student-athlete support initiatives.
• Oversee Board and Staff Leadership
• Provide strategic direction and support to the Big C Board and direct reports (CAF Associate and Associate Director of Alumni Relations).
• Act as liaison and coordinator for sport-specific alums representatives and teams across Cal Athletics.

Manage Organizational Operations & Budget

• Oversee Big C Society operations and administrative functions, including budget planning, financial tracking, and organizational evaluation.

Advance Institutional Partnerships & Strategic Alignment

• Contribute to initiatives across the Cameron Institute, Cal Athletics Fund, and UDAR.
• Provide input on key alumni events (e.g., Hall of Fame) and alumni engagement platforms.
• Collaborate with University Development and Alumni Relations and Chief Alumni Officer to align Big C programming with campus-wide alumni strategies.
• Actively participate in the Berkeley Alumni Engagement Group and associated workshops, summits, and learning opportunities.

Other duties as assigned, including engaging in professional development.

Required Qualifications

• Interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a variety of client groups.
• Ability to multi-task effectively; demonstrates sound judgment and decision-making; is an effective problem solver and effectively communicates verbally and in writing.

• Functional knowledge of the intercollegiate athletics.

• Must maintain current knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the affiliated athletic conference, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), as well as other associations and agencies to which the campus adheres, and, at all times avoid any and all violations of these rules and standards.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in alumni relations and/or college athletics development.
• 2+ years of management/supervisory experience
  Demonstrated experience growing alumni engagement and/or philanthropy through execution of events, communication, membership programs, mentorship, and/or affinity groups.
  Experience working with databases and managing data input and accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programs from concept through execution-including strategic design, implementation, delivery, and outcome evaluation.
• Strong project management capabilities, including prioritization, delegation, time management, and execution within scope, timeline, and budget.
• Proven ability to support a variety of constituencies-including 30+ varsity teams, coaching staff, alumni, and external partners-with professionalism and adaptability.
• Executive-level critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with sound judgment and the ability to navigate ambiguity and competing demands.
• Exceptional organizational skills; excels in high-volume, deadline-driven environments managing multiple, concurrent priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with cultural competence to engage a variety of stakeholders (alums, donors, staff, coaches, students, etc.).
• Effective communicator across platforms-public speaking, digital, written reports, and live events-with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills, including experience hiring, coaching, performance management, and team motivation.
• Advanced written communication abilities; able to prepare compelling correspondence, reports, agreements, policies, and presentations.
• Skilled in active listening, conflict resolution, and consensus-building across internal departments and external communities.
• Composed and resilient under pressure; flexible in responding to shifting priorities and dynamic institutional environments.
• Demonstrates a meaningful connection to, and understanding of, Cal Athletics alums-through personal experience, professional alignment, or prior engagement.
• Working knowledge of intercollegiate athletics, including student-athlete life cycles, team dynamics, and departmental structures.

• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of NCAA, conference, and institutional rules; ensures full compliance and ethical engagement.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $82,800.00 - $149,800.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

• Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

This job is part of the Employee Referral Program. If a UC Berkeley employee is referring you, please ensure you select the Referral Source of "UCB Employee". Then enter the Employee's Name and Berkeley E-mail address in the Specific Referral Source field. Please enter only one name and email.