Assoc. Director, Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement

Job Overview California Western School of Law (CWSL) seeks an experienced and motivated Associate Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement to support the strategic advancement of the law school's philanthropic support and alumni engagement efforts. Reporting to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement, the Associate Director will lead fundraising and alumni engagement strategies for the Annual Fund, scholarship campaigns, and other institutional initiatives, with a particular emphasis on major giving. This position is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and planned gifts from current and prospective donors while managing a portfolio of 75–100 donors and prospects. Working collaboratively to strengthen donor relationships and engagement, the Associate Director will provide customized and meaningful communication and involvement opportunities that support long‑term philanthropic investment. This role is integral to building and sustaining a strong donor pipeline for key fundraising priorities. Primary Responsibilities Major Gift Fundraising Develop and manage a portfolio of alumni, corporate, community, and prospective donors who have the capacity to contribute $10,000 or more annually. Collaborate with colleagues across the law school to identify prospective donors and new engagement strategies that leverage relationships with the Office of Career and Professional Development, the law school Clinics, the Office of the Dean, the Alumni Board, and faculty. Create compelling proposals, one‑sheets, stewardship reports, and presentations for donors and prospects. Utilize key data strategies and identify new prospective donors. Alumni Engagement Serve as staff liaison to the California Western Alumni Board, providing support to Board President for regular meetings, sharing key institutional communications and volunteer opportunities, and providing key engagement with alumni board members. Provide key project management support for the annual Alumni Reunion, including the development and implementation of key communication strategies, sponsorship outreach, and the Distinguished Alumni Awards. In collaboration with various departments and community volunteers, plan and implement local and regional alumni events. Attend law school and community legal functions. Strategy & Planning Provide key project management support for the annual Alumni Reunion and other alumni programming, developing alumni engagement and communications strategies to support attendance and sponsorship, managing the Distinguished Alumni Awards process, and coordinating programs in collaboration with event planning and IA colleagues. Evaluate programs using financial feasibility studies and market research, making recommendations for improvement. Recruit, train, and support key volunteers who assist in advancement efforts. Provide strategic guidance for the development of multi‑channel fundraising campaigns. Participate in prospect management system and record‑keeping. Support budget development and management. Work with the appropriate level of assistance, instruction, and supervision. Proactively advise the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Engagement on project status, potential issues, and overall departmental progress. Responsible for the reconciliation of travel expenses. Perform, with team approach, perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required. Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible and successful experience in major gift fundraising required, including donor cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, prospect research, annual giving, volunteer management, donor relations, gift administration, and communications. Demonstrated knowledge of major gift fundraising principles, donor stewardship, donor relations, and advancement best practices required. Experience developing and writing compelling gift proposals, donor agreements, and strategic cultivation and engagement plans for current and prospective donors required. Proven success managing a portfolio of donors and prospects through all stages of donor “moves management,” including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Demonstrated ability to prepare donor briefings, talking points, and other materials to support institutional leadership in donor engagement and fundraising activities. Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered. Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Strong customer service orientation with a commitment to building and maintaining positive relationships with internal and external constituents. Highly motivated, organized, and self‑directed, with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously, exercise sound judgment, and handle sensitive and confidential matters with professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, along with strong organizational, project management, analytical, and problem‑solving abilities. Professional demeanor, appearance, and presentation required. Experience in higher education, legal education, or nonprofit fundraising preferred. Ability and willingness to attend evening and weekend events as needed. Ability and willingness to travel locally, regionally, and occasionally nationally or internationally in support of fundraising and alumni engagement activities. Technical Skills Required Intermediate level computer skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Experience with database management systems required. Proficiency with Salesforce preferred. Familiarity with Salesforce and DonorSearch helpful. Experience with website management, electronic communication and database systems, data analysis and interpretation required. Knowledge of effective internet search properties. Ability to learn and use various databases for research, including State Bar websites, Internet search engines, and other public databases to locate alumni. Knowledge and proficiency in social media required including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, and Instagram. Aptitude for learning new technology. Compensation Salary: $90,000.00 – $100,000.00 Annual Salary. Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for this role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The higher end of the range will be considered for well qualified candidates. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the law school reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the law school anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity and budget. 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. Perks Little Italy/Downtown location for convenient access to great restaurants and after‑hour activities. Free on‑campus parking facilities provided. Employee engagement events are held both virtually and on‑campus. On‑Campus Convenience Store. Complimentary bottomless Specialty Coffee. Use of on‑campus Law Library facilities. Resume & Cover Letter Required Resume, Cover Letter Required. The law school is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to excellence through diversity. The law school provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities upon request. #J-18808-Ljbffr San Diego Organizing Project