Asst. Director, Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement

California Western School of Law • San Diego, CA

13d • $72,000 - $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

California Western School of Law (CWSL) seeks a dynamic, relationship-driven, and highly organized Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement (Assistant Director) to support the law school's fundraising, and alumni engagement. Reporting to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement, this position plays a vital role in advancing the law school's mission through annual giving campaigns, donor stewardship, alumni communications, and engagement programs. The Assistant Director will collaborate with alumni, donors, students, volunteers, and community partners to develop meaningful connections that strengthen philanthropic support and foster lifelong engagement with CWSL. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong project management, communication, and relationship-building skills who thrives in a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three (3) years of fundraising experience in higher education institution and/or nonprofit organization specifically focused on annual giving.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• Professional attire and presentation is required.
• Attendance at evening, weekend events, and programs required.
• Must be able to travel to local, regional and international events.
• Daily access to reliable vehicle, obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license and personal vehicle insurance acknowledging the vehicle is used for employee’s work purposes. Must maintain a clean driving record.
• Demonstrated ability and interest in working with a highly diverse student and employee population.
• Must be motivated, highly organized, and a self-directed individual with excellent interpersonal skills who can effectively multitask and handle a variety of matters independently, with minimal supervision, in a professional, polished, and mature manner with tact, diplomacy, and appropriate judgement.
• Effective time management skills, organizational skills, analytical and problem solving ability, strong process orientation, project management skills, and flexibility.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Executive Director and Associate Director, administer a comprehensive, multi-channel annual giving program including direct mail, email, social media, web, phone, video and in-person strategies, ensuring donor segmentation and attention to deadlines.
• Manage a portfolio of prospective and current donors and solicit donations of up to $5,000.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage with and facilitate philanthropy from 3Ls and young alumni.
• Engage with Student Organizations to support their fundraising initiatives and ensure compliance with CWSL policies.
• Support special community engagement and philanthropy programs developed by California Western’s Clinics, Centers and other departments.
• Develop and implement strategies to secure first-time donors, engage/re-engage current and lapsed donors.
• Oversee stewardship strategies for annual campaigns, including recognition lists, and giving societies.
• Create and implement a strategy for an annual Giving Day, including oversight of software platforms.
• Conduct timely annual donor acknowledgements, including thank you letters, personal visits and telephone calls.
• Engage with law firms and corporate partners to support Alumni and student programs.
• Develop and implement a quarterly Alumni newsletter.
• Support strategic engagement with Alumni across the country by planning and executing alumni engagement events including the Annual Alumni Reunion, networking events, community lectures, regional mixers and other programs.
• Responsible for annual updates of all donor recognition lists, including donor and judicial walls, signs and placards, and all print publications.
• Serve as the departmental point person for various fundraising and communications platforms, including website updates, Salesforce, GoFundMe Pro webpages, Constant Contact, Donor Search, Thankview.
• Oversee donor reports, annual giving lists and segmentation for appeals and communications.
• Manage strategies and implementation for donor record updates. Responsible for the integrity of data records.

Benefits

• Generous employer contribution for Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (depending on which plan/level the employee elects).
• 403(b) Employer Retirement contribution of 8% (up to 8k per year) Fully and immediately vested.
• Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Plan.
• Paid Fall and Winter Breaks
• Additional 10+ Paid Holidays
• Accrued Paid Time Off
• Wellness Programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level