Director, Alumni Advancement - 142017

Department Overview

UC San Diego Advancement's dynamic team inspires, builds and nurtures relationships with our community that increase engagement with and philanthropic support for the university. Together, Advancement's units bring together strategy, partnerships and expertise to support UC San Diego's efforts to unite diverse people and unconventional perspectives to propel limitless impact here in San Diego and far beyond.

UC San Diego Alumni Relations, a key unit within Advancement, fosters lifelong connections between alumni and the university. Guided by our values of collaboration, innovation, joy, community, and respect, Alumni Relations develops strategic, data-driven initiatives that empower alumni to engage with UC San Diego and each other throughout their lives. Our priorities focus on instilling pride, developing volunteer leadership, and offering relevant programs for all alumni stages. We recognize alumni as essential stakeholders with a deep emotional connection to UC San Diego, and we aim to strengthen the alumni network, philanthropy, and partnerships across our campus. For the first time in the university's history, our alumni have a home at the Triton Alumni and Welcome Center (TAWC), the front porch from which we welcome alumni back to their alma mater during the Decade of Alumni.

Position Overview

An accomplished professional with wide-ranging experience who administers, oversees, or performs work involved in establishing and maintaining the highest-level relationships between the institution and its many alumni and other constituents, including the general public, and various other relevant publics or interest groups, which may include internal, external, domestic and foreign audiences. Constituencies typically include the most influential or powerful institutional publics or special interest groups.

Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Alumni Relations (AVC, AR), the Director, Alumni Advancement (D-AA) is a senior member of the Alumni Relations Leadership Team whose scope spans philanthropy, partnerships, and operations. The D-AA works across every part of Alumni Relations, advising the AVC, AR and translating strategy into results.

The D-AA designs and leads initiatives and strategies that advance the Alumni Relations strategic plan during the Decade of Alumni, deepening lifelong engagement, developing alumni leadership, and building pride and ownership among alumni of the highest capacity and influence. The D-AA brings proven expertise in driving revenue, whether through moves-management fundraising or through program development, and a track record of delivering programs that generate resources and increase mindshare among alumni and the community. In coordination with Alumni Relations leadership and Advancement colleagues, the D-AA leads top-of-the-pyramid strategies and programs that move alumni from engagement to investment and maintains a focused portfolio of high-capacity alumni prospects.

The D-AA serves as the connective tissue between alumni relations and the university's philanthropic programs, working within the collaborative One Advancement model. In partnership with Annual Giving, the D-AA designs, plans, and implements the alumni giving program for giving day campaigns and targeted giving efforts that support university-wide initiatives. In partnership with the Office of Gift Planning, the D-AA designs, plans, and implements alumni programs that elevate legacy conversations and gifts. As a university generalist, the D-AA anticipates and responds to emerging opportunities and shifting priorities, building credibility and moving the organization forward in an environment of high-velocity change.

The D-AA oversees Alumni Relations operations, supervising the Administrative Operations Assistant and the Assistant Director, Alumni Communications and Engagement, and ensures that day-to-day operations are delivered in a forward-thinking, customer-service-centered manner that elevates our connection to the alumni community. The D-AA partners with Alumni Relations leadership to align programs with the department's alumni engagement focus. The D-AA manages the Alumni Relations budget process and quarterly updates; works closely with the Advancement Business Office and the UC San Diego Alumni Board Treasurer to review and report on the Alumni Association's budget and fiscal year planning; analyzes and strengthens business operations; and represents the AVC, AR in Alumni Board relations and support as designated. The D-AA ensures that Alumni Relations operates as a data-informed department, using accurate data and analysis to measure impact and guide decisions.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience / training.

• Expert, thorough, in-depth knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the campus, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, infrastructure, history, long-range strategic plans, current issues of concern, accomplishments and awards.

• Expert knowledge and understanding of general issues in higher education and campus specific issues.

• Expert knowledge of alumni, internal and external constituencies, including their composition and areas of concern.

• Expert knowledge of the principles and concepts of building and maintaining effective relationships with alumni and key constituencies to achieve institutional goals and objectives.

• Expert level written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including attentive listening skills and skills to ascertain constituency perception.

• Expert skill to quickly identify and develop strategies to effectively communicate the institution's message.

• Expert level analytical and decision-making skills, sound judgment and highly developed political acumen.

• Expert skill to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and skill to effectively address, resolve and / or mitigate problems or issues.

• Demonstrates ability to lead in a collaborative, matrixed environment such as the One Advancement model and to thrive amid high-velocity change and ambiguity. Exercises decision velocity, sound judgment, and adaptability, and builds credibility and trust with leadership, colleagues, and constituents in ways that move the organization forward. Maintains a visible, accessible presence with alumni, staff, and campus partners.

• Demonstrates understanding of the full relationship and revenue cycle, whether in development (prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship) or in sales and business development (lead generation, relationship building, closing and account retention).

• Proven track record of driving revenue through moves-management prospect development and fundraising, sales, or business development, including building and managing a portfolio of high-value relationships, personally closing gifts or revenue agreements at the six-figure level, and consistently meeting or exceeding revenue or fundraising goals, including experience contributing to a comprehensive or capital campaign.

• Typically at least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, alumni relations, sales, business development, or revenue-generating program development, including senior-level accountability for revenue results and a demonstrated record of designing and delivering programs that drive mindshare, increase visibility and engagement.

• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain collaborative partnerships across a complex, decentralized organization with multiple stakeholders, including corporate and community partners.

• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff, including hiring, performance management, coaching, and development, and fostering a positive, collaborative, and accountable team culture.

• Ability to set priorities that accurately reflect the relative importance of job responsibilities and take into consideration deadlines, competing requirements and complexity.

• Demonstrated experience leading the strategy, operations, and finances of a program, unit, or organization, and advising senior executives on strategy, priorities, and resource decisions.

• Demonstrated working knowledge of accepted accounting principles and practices, with direct accountability for developing, monitoring, and managing program and operating budgets.

• Strong operational and project management skills, including the ability to design efficient processes and systems, set priorities, and deliver customer-centered service.

• Demonstrated ability to use data to drive decisions, including analyzing complex reports, establishing performance indicators, measuring program impact, and translating findings into strategy. Understands the downstream impact of data quality on fundraising, reporting, and institutional decision-making. Proficiency with CRM systems, MS Office Suite, and AI tools.

• Compelling storyteller and public presenter, able to convey the impact of alumni engagement and philanthropy and to translate complex information for alumni, donors, campus leaders, and community audiences. Demonstrated ability to write and present persuasive proposals, briefings, and presentations.

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion, with a strong sense of ethical conduct that inspires confidence.

• Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Proven experience designing and delivering high-level cultivation, stewardship, and recognition events with clear strategic purpose, tied to moves management and measurable pipeline outcomes.

• Working knowledge of annual giving, giving day, and planned giving strategies, with experience partnering across fundraising programs to grow participation and legacy commitments.

• Demonstrates success identifying, recruiting, and managing high-level volunteers, including engaging volunteer leaders in philanthropy and advancing them into board, council, or campaign leadership roles.

• Experience working with nonprofit boards of directors and committees, including financial oversight of a 501(c)(3), budget reporting, and audit coordination.

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

• Hybrid schedule: a minimum of four days per week on site, with one remote day. Working on site five days per week is encouraged.

• Must be willing and able to travel.

• 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

• Must have access to a reliable vehicle.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.