Assistant Director, Donor Engagement - Stewardship (6299U), Intercollegiate Athletics #87774

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Departmental Overview

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics consists of more than 275 staff members and coaches and sponsors 30 varsity sports programs. These 30 programs include more than 850 student-athletes who participate in the various sports programs annually within the National Collegiate Athletics Association

Position Summary

The Assistant Director, Donor Engagement - Stewardship reaches, serves and engages external constituencies through programs, events, products, and services not primarily related to fundraising. This position translates constituent needs and priorities into customized programs to create, enhance, and sustain relationships between the campus and its external constituencies. The Assistant Director, Donor Engagement - Stewardship manages complex stewardship efforts and serves as a key member of the donor engagement and alumni relations team. This position oversees the gift acknowledgment process and ensures that development messaging is strategically timed, cleanly edited and consistently aligned with the mission of the department of Intercollegiate Athletics. Additionally, this role oversees the production of annual benefit fulfillment and stewardship publications, including the benefit guide and annual report, as well as other key stewardship initiatives such as capital recognition, written donor features, yearly impact reports, individual donor reports, scholarship recognition, and stewardship focused events. This position also serves as the primary development office contact for donors and alumni who have questions about giving or engagement.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is August 11, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Donor Engagement & Stewardship - 50%

• Develops and implements comprehensive donor stewardship, recognition, and engagement strategies that enhance donor satisfaction, retention, and long-term philanthropic support.
• Oversees stewardship programs, donor recognition and signature engagement events.
• Guides the creation and execution of donor-facing communications across digital and print platforms, maintains a comprehensive stewardship and engagement calendar, and ensures consistent branding and messaging across all donor materials.
• Supports the execution of Cal Athletics Fund benefits, and scholarship and capital project recognition.
• Supports all development events both in planning and in day-of execution.

Communications - 20%

• Serves as the primary writer for the department - drafting donor features, press releases, proposals, collateral pieces, emails, acknowledgements, and annual/impact reports.

Infrastructure Development & Maintenance - 10%

• Responsible for maintaining data integrity for all sources of information (Paciolan, CADS, Salesforce).
• Continuously looks for ways to improve systems in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness of fundraising and engagement practices.
• Actively seeks new tools to support efforts of the athletics development office.
• Maintains key data lists and accuracy of donor/alumni information.

Inquiries and Point of Contact - 10%

• Responds to constituent inquiries and serves as a primary point of contact for addressing questions or concerns around Cal Athletics Fund benefits.
• Assists with giving/ticketing troubleshooting as needed.

Special Initiatives - 5%

• May take lead on special initiatives and campaigns.

Mentorship - 5%

• May mentor less experienced staff members.

Required Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of basic concepts, principles, and procedures of building and maintaining effective relations with alumni, internal and key constituencies.
• Thorough knowledge of and/or ability to learn about the campus, its mission, goals, objectives, programs, achievements, infrastructure and issues of concern.
• Thorough written, verbal and interpersonal communications, tact and political acumen to effectively represent the campus.
• Thorough research, analytical and critical thinking skills, including sound judgment and decision-making skills and skill to correctly identify real and potential problems, advising management as required, and proposing effective strategic resolutions.
• Skill in project management, including event planning and meeting deadlines.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and best practices of donor stewardship, recognition, and engagement, with the ability to cultivate meaningful relationships that inspire continued philanthropic support.
• Thorough knowledge of and/or ability to learn about the university's mission, strategic priorities, athletics programs, fundraising initiatives, and the impact of philanthropy, with the ability to communicate compelling cases for support and demonstrate donor impact.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build trust with donors, alumni, volunteers, and campus partners while representing the department with professionalism, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate stewardship programs, identify opportunities to enhance the donor experience, manage competing priorities, and recommend effective solutions.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to plan and execute donor stewardship initiatives, recognition programs, and engagement events while managing multiple projects, collaborating across teams, and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with development officers, coaches, alumni relations, communications, and campus partners to execute integrated donor engagement and stewardship strategies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in college athletics, higher education, or non-profit fields.

Education / Training

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

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 range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $77,000.00 - $79,000.00.

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

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Driving Required

Required to hold a 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.
• This position may be required to work outside of traditional office hours including nights and weekends.

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

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.