Associate Donor Relations Officer - Davis, CA, Job ID 88599

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Associate Donor Relations Officer is a frontline development professional responsible for managing a portfolio of individual donors and prospects while leading donor engagement, fundraising, and stewardship activities that strengthen relationships with UC ANR supporters and encourage continued philanthropic support. The position combines portfolio management with donor communications, gift acknowledgment, reporting, recognition, strategy development, and donor data oversight, and is intended to operate at an advanced professional level with broad responsibility for cultivating and advancing philanthropic relationships.

This role works closely with UC ANR leadership, frontline fundraisers, academics, volunteers, and the broader development team to coordinate outreach strategies, support solicitations, develop donor-facing materials, and ensure a well-integrated donor experience across development activities. The position requires strong writing, project management, strategic thinking, and relationship-building skills, along with the ability to manage complex assignments, provide informed recommendations, and serve as a resource on donor relations, stewardship, and fundraising strategy.

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, UC ANR works to improve the life of every Californian by collaborating to solve problems and serving communities. For more than 100 years, UC ANR has connected Californians to their land-grant university through a collaborative, mission-driven network of advisors, specialists, academics, and staff. UC ANR is committed to attracting and retaining a workforce reflective of our community and encourages applications from individuals whose experiences and perspectives contribute to equitable, and welcoming working and learning environments.

The Development Services unit follows a purpose-driven model of fundraising that begins with listening to what donors hope to accomplish and aligning those aims with UC ANR's unique strengths and statewide mission. Instead of leading with internal needs and categories, the team focuses on real-world outcomes in communities and industries, building cases for support that reflect shared purpose and public benefit.

This position is a career appointment that is 100% fixed.

The home department is the Development Services Office. While this position normally is based in Davis, CA, this position is eligible for hybrid flexible work arrangements for applicants living in the State of California at this time. Please note that hybrid flexible work arrangements are subject to change by the University.

Budgeted Pay Scale: $103,100.00/year to $120,000.00/year

Standard Pay Scale: $103,100.00/year to $149,700.00/year

Job Posting Close Date: This job is open until filled. The first application review date will be 9/16/2026.

Key Responsibilities:

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or three years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in development, donor relations, stewardship, fundraising, advancement services, or a related field.
• Advanced ability to manage a donor portfolio or comparable set of external relationships with initiative, sound judgment, and growing strategic responsibility.
• Advanced ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent writing, research, editorial, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and customer service skills in handling confidential and sensitive matters.
• Advanced ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with donors, colleagues, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Advanced ability to develop donor-facing materials, coordinate stewardship communications, and support donor strategy across multiple constituencies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor database or CRM applications, including Raisers Edge NXT or similar systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in higher education, nonprofit development, or a large, complex organization.
• Experience with individual giving, donor stewardship, gift acknowledgment, donor recognition, donor events, or frontline fundraising.
• Knowledge of advancement practices and applicable policies and procedures.
• Experience supporting donor strategy, proposal development, stewardship reporting, or development communications.
• Interest in professional growth within frontline fundraising and donor relations.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess valid California Driver's License to drive a County or University vehicle. Ability and means to travel on a flexible schedule as needed, proof of liability damage insurance on vehicle used is required. Reimbursement of job-related travel will be reimbursed according to University policies.
• Travel outside of normal business hours.
• The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. This is a designated position requiring a background check and may require fingerprinting due to the nature of the job responsibilities. UC ANR does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities.
• As of January 1, 2014, ANR is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment in which smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes), is strictly prohibited.
• As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

• Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer.

1. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies governing employee conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, or discrimination, 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

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) brings the power of University of California research and education to all 58 California counties. Through research and extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition, and youth development, we work to improve the life of every Californian.

Collaborating to solve problems.

Connecting to serve communities.

For over 100 years, our advisors, specialists, faculty and staff have been committed to connecting Californians to their land grant university. We are highly collaborative and mission-driven to promote the health and well-being of people and places across the state. We are also trusted partners with hundreds of community organizations in addressing California's most pressing challenges.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Internal Candidates*: To apply as an internal UC ANR employee, please go to:
https://ucphrprdpub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucphrprd/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_EMP_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Employee&SiteId=18&JobOpeningId=88599&PostingSeq=1

External Candidates*: You must register to apply for a job or create a job search agent profile. Click the 'Register Now' link and follow the steps to create the account. The system will not prompt you to register until you try to apply for a job online.

*Employment applications must be submitted online through our careers site. Please note, we do not accept resumes or applications by email or on paper.