Associate Director for Annual Giving Campaigns and Donor Experience

San José State University•San Jose, CA

8d•$7,350 - $7,667

About The Position

The Associate Director for Annual Giving for Campaigns and Donor Experience is responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and evaluation of annual giving campaigns and donor communications. The Associate Director leads the development and implementation of multi-channel solicitation strategies and ensures a cohesive, donor-centered approach to messaging and engagement. The Associate Director oversees the annual appeal calendar, manages the creation of all donor-facing content, and ensures consistency and quality across print, email, and digital communications. The role plays a central part in shaping the donor experience by leading stewardship, retention, and re-engagement strategies designed to increase donor loyalty and lifetime value. In addition, the position manages key programmatic campaigns, including faculty/staff giving, senior class gift, and parent giving initiatives, and is responsible for promoting matching gift opportunities to maximize donor impact. The incumbent exercises independent judgment in campaign planning, messaging development, and donor engagement strategy, and collaborates closely with digital engagement and data staff to ensure effective targeting, execution, and performance analysis.

Requirements

Working knowledge of, or the ability to develop proficiency in, the appropriate and ethical use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in higher education and administrative contexts
Ability to apply emerging technologies to support operational effectiveness, data-informed decision-making, and service delivery to students, faculty, and staff
Demonstrated ability to support continuous improvement and organizational learning through the responsible application of technology within assigned areas of responsibility
Ability to evaluate potential applications, promote responsible, ethical, and equitable use, and ensure alignment with institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and strategic priorities
Comprehensive knowledge of annual giving strategies, including direct marketing, email, and digital fundraising campaigns
Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills for donor communications across multiple channels
Knowledge of donor stewardship, retention, and engagement best practices
Working knowledge of donor segmentation strategies, including the ability to develop audience targeting approaches based on donor behavior, giving history, and engagement patterns
Understanding of segmentation frameworks such as first-time donors, LYBUNT, SYBUNT, anniversary giving, and multi-year loyal donors
Ability to collaborate with data staff to translate campaign strategy into actionable segmentation and targeting plans
Working knowledge of graphic design principles, including layout, visual hierarchy, and design for digital and print communications
Demonstrated ability to create and edit visual assets using tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar platforms
Ability to develop cohesive campaign messaging and translate it into effective written and visual communications
Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage timelines, vendors, and multiple concurrent campaigns
Ability to analyze campaign performance data and apply insights to improve outcomes
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and campus partners
Familiarity with fundraising platforms and donor CRM systems used to support campaign execution and audience targeting
Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
3–5 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, communications, or a related field
Strong writing and editing experience, including development of donor- or customer-facing communications across multiple channels
Experience creating visual campaign materials using graphic design tools such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar platforms
Experience managing multiple projects, deadlines, and targeted communications in a fast-paced environment

Nice To Haves

At least one consecutive year of experience in annual giving or higher education fundraising
Experience working with fundraising platforms such as GiveCampus and/or donor CRM systems such as Raiser’s Edge NXT (RE/NXT) or comparable databases
Experience developing or applying audience segmentation strategies for fundraising or marketing campaigns
Experience managing print and mail vendors

Responsibilities

Develop and implement comprehensive annual giving campaign strategies across direct mail, email, digital, and crowdfunding channels
Create, maintain, and manage a detailed annual appeal calendar, coordinating multiple solicitations across audiences and channels to ensure appropriate timing, frequency, and alignment
Determine campaign strategies, including audience targeting, segmentation approach, messaging themes, and solicitation timing
Integrate Day of Giving and other major campaign initiatives into the overall annual giving strategy, ensuring alignment with broader goals and priorities
Coordinate campaign execution across internal stakeholders to ensure consistency and effectiveness
Monitor campaign performance metrics and recommend adjustments to improve donor participation, retention, and revenue outcomes
Lead development of all donor-facing communications, including solicitations, stewardship messaging, campaign narratives, and digital content
Write, edit, and proof content for print, email, crowdfunding, and digital platforms, ensuring clarity, consistency, and effectiveness
Develop and execute messaging strategies for major campaigns, including Day of Giving, ensuring cohesive and compelling communications across channels
Design and produce digital assets such as email graphics, campaign visuals, and basic marketing materials using appropriate tools
Coordinate with Strategic Communications and Marketing to ensure alignment with university branding and messaging standards
Manage production timelines and deliverables for print and digital materials, including coordination with external vendors
Develop and implement donor stewardship strategies, including acknowledgment communications, recognition efforts, and impact messaging
Design and execute retention and re-engagement campaigns targeting key donor segments, including LYBUNT, SYBUNT, and multi-year loyal donors
Support development of recurring giving and donor upgrade strategies to increase donor lifetime value
Ensure that all campaigns, including Day of Giving, reflect a consistent and donor-centered experience across all touchpoints
Monitor donor engagement trends and recommend enhancements to improve satisfaction and long-term engagement