Annual Giving Officer

The California State University; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State University in San José is seeking an Annual Giving Officer to plan, execute, and evaluate annual giving campaigns through audience segmentation, campaign management, reporting, and operational coordination.

You will translate fundraising strategy into data-driven outreach, develop targeted audiences, monitor performance, and coordinate activities to improve donor engagement and revenue. Four years of relevant experience and a bachelor's degree required.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Four years of relevant experience; an advanced degree may be substituted for the required experience.
• Ability to analyze donor data and generate reports.
• Experience with data systems, spreadsheets, or databases.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute annual giving campaigns across multiple channels.
• Coordinate with Advancement Services for data requirements and reporting alignment.
• Translate campaign needs into data requests and specifications.
• Validate data against official records and maintain data documentation.
• Develop audience lists and segmentation frameworks for donor outreach.
• Prepare campaigns timelines, project plans, and operational schedules.
• Monitor campaign performance and adjust tactics to improve participation.

Skills

Data analysis

Campaign management

Audience segmentation

Donor relations

Reporting

Project coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job no: 561743
Work type: Staff
Location: San José
Categories: Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Probationary, Fundraising & Alumni Relations, Full Time

The Annual Giving Officer supports the planning, execution, and evaluation of annual giving campaigns through audience segmentation, campaign management, reporting, and operational coordination. Embedded within the Annual Giving program, this position plays a direct role in advancing fundraising outcomes by improving donor targeting, increasing donor participation, strengthening donor retention, and supporting more effective, data-informed fundraising strategies. The position translates fundraising strategy into actionable campaign execution by developing targeted audiences, monitoring campaign performance, and coordinating operational activities that improve donor engagement and fundraising results.

The Annual Giving Officer helps optimize fundraising performance by identifying donor trends, improving audience engagement, supporting personalized outreach, and increasing the effectiveness of annual giving appeals, crowdfunding initiatives, and Day of Giving. The position contributes directly to growing annual giving revenue, increasing alumni donor participation, strengthening donor loyalty, and building a pipeline of engaged donors for future major gift cultivation. In addition, the Annual Giving Officer manages select annual giving campaigns and supports campaign operations, including coordinating on-campus Day of Giving activation efforts. By translating data into actionable fundraising strategy, the position helps Annual Giving deliver more targeted, efficient, and impactful campaigns that strengthen donor relationships and advance philanthropic support for the university.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and prepare campaign-specific data for Annual Giving initiatives, ensuring that data used for appeals, crowdfunding, and Day of Giving is accurate, complete, and aligned with campaign needs
• Coordinate closely with Advancement Services to ensure Annual Giving campaign data requirements (e.g., audience selection, gift tracking, reporting alignment) are met within institutional systems
• Translate Annual Giving campaign needs into data requests and specifications
• Validate and reconcile campaign data against official records
• Document campaign-specific data processes and workflows initiatives
• Execute audience segmentation strategies for Annual Giving campaigns, including appeals, crowdfunding, and Day of Giving
• Develop and maintain audience lists supporting donor acquisition, donor retention, anniversary giving, loyalty giving, stewardship, and pipeline development
• Translate campaign strategy into actionable audience selections
• Maintain and refine segmentation frameworks (LYBUNT, SYBUNT, first-time donors, recurring donors, etc.)
• Perform quality assurance on audience lists
• Support stewardship and donor retention strategies through targeted segmentation for recognition, anniversary giving, loyalty outreach, and ongoing engagement
• Independently plan, implement, manage, and evaluate assigned Annual Giving campaigns and initiatives throughout the year, including alumni scholarships appeals, program and department specific fundraising initiatives and other smaller target annual giving campaigns
• Develop campaign timelines, project plans, and operational schedules for assigned programs
• Coordinate campaign implementation across internal and campus partners to ensure successful execution
• Monitor campaign progress and recommend adjustments to improve participation and fundraising performance
• Evaluate campaign outcomes and recommend improvements based on results and donor behavior
• Develop and maintain reports for appeals, crowdfunding, Day of Giving, and assigned campaigns
• Create year-over-year reporting frameworks measuring donor participation, retention, revenue, and campaign performance
• Support execution of Annual Giving campaigns through data preparation, operational coordination, and project management

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• General awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and a willingness to develop skills in their appropriate, responsible, and ethical use in a higher education environment, consistent with institutional policies and practices
• Knowledge of data management principles, including data integrity, validation, and reporting
• Understanding of segmentation strategies and how data supports fundraising outcomes
• Ability to generate, manipulate, and analyze data using spreadsheets and/or database systems
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in handling data and producing reports
• Ability to create and maintain reporting structures that track performance and trends over time
• Understanding of donor behavior and how data supports fundraising strategies, including donor acquisition, retention, and stewardship
• Ability to coordinate data processes with Advancement Services and other stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple data requests and deadlines
• Ability to document processes and maintain consistency in workflows
• Ability to interpret data and communicate findings clearly to support decision-making
• Ability to connect data outputs to campaign performance and fundraising objectives
• Ability to coordinate logistical tasks, including planning and executing on-campus activation activities
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to interact with campus partners and the public
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a related field
• Four years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• 2-4 years of experience in data analysis, operations, administrative support, or related field
• Experience working with data systems, spreadsheets, or databases
• Experience managing detailed work with a high level of accuracy
• Experience coordinating tasks or projects with multiple stakeholders
• Experience in annual giving