Assistant Athletic Director, Donor Engagement, (6301U), Intercollegiate Athletics #87887

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley is seeking an Assistant Athletic Director, Donor Engagement to lead external engagement for the Cal Athletics Fund. You will oversee events, stewardship, alumni relations, marketing and communications, benefit fulfillment, and donor outreach, including budget management.

The role requires strong leadership, strategic planning, and donor relations expertise, with travel and evening/weekend work as needed to support donor events and programs.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of higher education development, donor stewardship, alumni engagement, events and hospitality.
• Demonstrated leadership with 3+ years supervising 3+ staff.
• Experience planning donor cultivation events and alumni programs.
• Ability to develop integrated marketing and communications strategies across channels.
• Understanding of gift acceptance guidelines and donor lifecycle management.
• Excellent organizational, planning and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage donors, alumni and volunteers.
• Proficiency with CRM systems and donor databases.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise staff supporting fundraising activities, events, communications, and donor relations.
• Oversee donor benefit programs, stewardship and recognition.
• Manage budget allocation for events and engagement priorities.
• Develop and execute marketing and communications strategies for athletics philanthropy.
• Plan year-long donor engagement and alumni events with coaches and campus leaders.
• Ensure timely and compelling donor communications and stewardship activities.

Skills

Donor relations

Alumni engagement

Event planning

Team leadership

Budget management

CRM systems

Communication

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

Salesforce

Advance

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.

Departmental Overview

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics consists of more than 275 staff members and coaches and sponsors 30 varsity sports programs. These 30 programs include more than 850 student‑athletes who participate in the various sports programs annually within the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

Position Summary

The Cal Athletics Fund has a staff of approximately 25 individuals and is responsible for raising more than $75M annually in support of Cal’s 30 sports programs and 800+ student‑athletes. The Donor Engagement and Alumni Relations team executes more than 100 donor and alumni events annually that range from small dinners to large gala events with several hundred attendees. The Cal Athletics Fund is also charged with donor stewardship efforts for more than 6,000 donors every year.

The Assistant Athletic Director, Donor Engagement oversees the external engagement that happens on behalf of the Cal Athletics Fund, this includes all events, stewardship, alumni relations, marketing and communications efforts, benefit fulfillment, and donor outreach related to renewing gifts. The role also oversees the day to day operations of the Cal Athletics Fund, including budget management.

Supervision and Leadership (55%)

Leads, mentors and supervises staff responsible for supporting critical fundraising activities (stewardship, marketing/communications, events, database management, benefit fulfillment, et cetera). Manages staff areas of stewardship, events, communications, alumni relations and development operations.

• Selects, trains, evaluates and as required, takes corrective action, with staff.
• Oversight and final decision maker to allocate resources and budget to differing event priorities in order to build out an annual event plan. Ensures that decisions are in line with unit wide priorities.
• Oversees the execution of all donor benefit programs; ensures fulfillment, accurate tracking, and manages questions/concerns regarding recognition/benefits.

Marketing & Communications Strategy Administrative Oversight and Strategy (30%)

• Manages all marketing and communications for the development office on all platforms (web, email, direct mail, social, digital ads etc.); maintaining a comprehensive communications calendar for the development office; ownership of branding and design for all development marketing material. Determines and oversees annual communication plans to market philanthropy for athletics through traditional channels such as print collateral as well as web and social along with keeping a library of documents and proposals to assist frontline fundraisers with solicitation.
• Develops stewardship strategies. Oversees turnkey gift acknowledgement program as well as creative opportunities to thank leadership level donors. Supports capital recognition projects.

Engagement Strategy (15%)

• Supports event and alumni relations staff in working with Head Coaches to determine year long engagement strategies.
• Plans and executes select high level events throughout the year, primarily for football and basketball programs.
• Supports IA and campus leadership attendance at events - managing briefings, remarks, scheduling, and logistics as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of higher education development with demonstrated success designing, implementing, and evaluating donor stewardship, alumni engagement, events and hospitality, cultivation, and external relations programs that strengthen philanthropic relationships.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, including at least three years supervising three or more full-time staff, with the ability to recruit, mentor, motivate, evaluate, and develop high‑performing teams.
• Experience planning and managing donor cultivation events, alumni programs, game‑day hospitality, and other special events that enhance engagement. Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen and the ability to develop compelling donor‑ and alumni‑focused communications and storytelling.
• Experience developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies across email, social media, websites, digital advertising, direct mail, and other channels.
• Understanding of university policies, development operations, gift acceptance guidelines, fundraising best practices, donor lifecycle management, and prospect management.
• Strong organizational, strategic planning, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, budgets, and events simultaneously.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate effectively with donors, alumni, volunteers, coaches, campus leadership, and external partners.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, analyze, and resolve problems while exercising sound judgment, discretion, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Canva, and constituent relationship management (CRM) systems and donor databases (e.g., Blackbaud CRM, Salesforce, Advance); Adobe Creative Suite experience preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess engagement metrics, evaluate program effectiveness, and recommend data‑informed improvements.
• Strong customer service skills and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences.
• Knowledge of the institution's mission, goals, programs, policies, and organizational structure, with the ability to effectively represent and advocate for the university with alumni, donors, volunteers, campus partners, and external constituents.
• Must maintain current knowledge of applicable rules and standards of the Atlantic Coast Conference, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), as well as other associations and agencies to which the Berkeley campus of the University of California adheres, and, at all times, avoid any and all violations of these rules and standards.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, collaborative team environment.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and travel as required to support donor events, alumni programming, and other university activities.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $105,000.00 - $115,000.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly‑paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H‑1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Driving Required

Required to hold valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Mandated Reporter

This position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter required to report the observed or suspected abuse or neglect of children, dependent adults, or elders to designated law enforcement or social service agencies. We reserve the right to make employment contingent upon completion of signed statements acknowledging the responsibilities of a Mandated Reporter.

Misconduct Disclosure

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” Means Any Violation Of The Policies Or Laws Governing Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Or Laws Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Harassment, Discrimination, Dishonesty, Or Unethical Conduct, As Defined By The Employer. For Reference, Below Are UC’s Policies Addressing Some Forms Of Misconduct

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.