Primary Purpose The Associate Director of Annual Giving is responsible for qualifying, soliciting, managing, and stewarding leadership annual giving prospects to advance the University of the Pacific’s fundraising goals. This role is pivotal in expanding the leadership annual giving donor base, developing and managing annual giving programs and societies, and building a strong, consistent donor pipeline to support major gift cultivation.
The Associate Director will play an instrumental role in Pacific Gives, the University’s annual giving day, working collaboratively across campus to strengthen participation, foster relationships, and ensure effective coordination and communication among internal partners. Additionally, this position will engage key external groups—including alumni clubs, affinity groups, and volunteer organizations—to drive annual fundraising initiatives and deepen engagement.
Focused on innovation, engagement, and scalable strategies, this role aims to broaden the base of support and cultivate a culture of philanthropy throughout the university community. Essential Functions
- Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of 200-250 prospects, including alumni, parents, and friends of the university, capable of making annual gifts at the Leadership Annual Gift level ($1,000-$24,999).
- Creates, manages, and executes the implementation of special annual giving programs/ societies.
- Participates in discovery work to uncover new leadership annual donors, ensure long-term engagement of existing leadership annual donors, and qualify major gift donor prospects to expand pipeline development.
- Participates in daily high-volume touchpoints (email, phone calls, text, social media) to grow acquisition and retention of leadership annual giving donors.
- Collaborates with university-wide annual giving teams to add new value and build upon the success of mail, email, text, and digital solicitation campaigns.
- Coordinates with major gift officers to successfully hand-off qualified prospects and donors above the Leadership Annual Giving level.
- Evaluates, builds, and assesses full Leadership Annual Giving program to maximize revenue potential.
- Helps to lead the planning and execution of Pacific Gives, under the guidance of the Director of Annual Giving, including coordination with schools, colleges, and units; managing campus-wide participation, as well as internal and external partner engagement; and marketing and promotion.
- Identifies and solicits donor support for Pacific Gives, including matches and challenges
- Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to increase awareness, participation, and integration of annual giving efforts across campus.
- Plans and coordinates on-site events and activations tied to annual giving efforts (e.g., Pacific Gives, crowdfunding launches, Giving Tuesday, and student philanthropy initiatives) to build donor engagement and participation.
- Supports a culture of philanthropy through visibility, stewardship, and storytelling related to annual giving priorities, including the Pacific Fund.
- Ensures fundraising efforts reflect the university’s values around diversity, equity, and inclusion by promoting accessible and inclusive opportunities for giving and engagement.
University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff. Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- Three (3) years of fundraising or relevant experience.
- Two (2) years experience working directly with data, data analysis, and/or database software to evaluate key performance indicators and assess outcomes.
- Two (2) years experience utilizing project management practices to oversee multiple projects and timelines.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree.
- Five (5) years of experience in annual giving, digital fundraising, project management, or volunteer engagement, preferably in higher education or nonprofit settings.
- Proven success managing a prospect portfolio, including qualification, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership annual gifts ($1,000–$24,999).
- Strong knowledge of fundraising principles and experience developing leadership annual giving strategies and programs.
- Meticulous attention to detail and outstanding organization and time-management skills.
- Proficiency with CRM databases (e.g., Raiser’s Edge), digital giving platforms, and MS Office Suite.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and execute donor engagement strategies, storytelling for fundraising, and digital campaigns.
- Excellent project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and managing multiple initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
- Exceptional writing skills for donor correspondence, solicitations, and stewardship communications.
- Commitment to higher education and ability to articulate a compelling case for annual support.
- Positive attitude and proven ability to work effectively with diverse populations, applying culturally responsive practices and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel for university-related events.
- Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
- Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.
Physical Requirements The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Requires extended periods of sitting and repetitive hand/wrist motion while using computer keyboard and phone. Occasional standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, and reaching. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
Work Environment/Work Week/Travel:
Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment with use of computer and phone. Work scheduled during standard business hours. Evenings and weekends are required periodically to accommodate business needs. Occasional travel both local and overnight.
Valid driver’s license required. Incumbent must also be able to meet the University’s fleet rules and be eligible to drive for University business. The University and its insurance carrier reserves the right to exclude applicants based on their driving record. Hiring Range $70,304 - $78,000; We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. Background Check Statement All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.
AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.
Anti-Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.
