Associate Director of Annual & Special Giving

University of the Pacific•Stockton, CA

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.