Assistant Director of Development, Digital Fundraising (FUNDRAISER 3)

University of California - Davis; Davis (CA); Hybrid; USD 982,000 - 1,809,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance and benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

University of California, Davis is seeking an Assistant Director of Development to manage donor relationships and fundraising programs. The role operates in a donor-centric model, developing new gifts and stewarding existing ones across multiple channels including in-person, video, texting, and virtual visits.

The position emphasizes collaboration within a large, matrixed organization and requires strong judgment in selecting fundraising approaches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience.
• 1+ year fundraising or related experience; donor relations focus.
• Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Fundraising leadership and donor cultivation activities.
• Development operations support and program execution.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Strategic relationships

Portfolio management

Communication skills

Video messaging

Text messaging

Sales enablement

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Salesloft

Thank video platform

Job description

Job Summary

The Assistant Director of Development is an experienced professional who has the ability to practice, and/or has knowledge of, the fundraising field, with the ability to apply fundraising theory to the full range of responsibilities of a university development officer. This position analyzes problems/issues of varied scope, and determines solutions, and plans, schedules, and implements comprehensive fundraising projects and programs, including fundraising programs such as Give Day, Crowdfund UC Davis, the Annual Fund and Parent Fund, philanthropy programming for parents, students and employees, and the Davis Chancellor's Club. This position is metric-driven and expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established through an annual business planning process and aligned with the assigned portfolio. This is a fundraising position focused on developing new and fostering established donor relationships. Guided by a "donor centric" approach, the incumbent will strategically solicit gifts and steward existing ones using various communication methods, including in person, video, texting, phone, social media and virtual visits. This position requires good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions, and works independently, collaboratively, and collegially as part of a large, matrix organization.

Apply By Date

October 18, 2026 at 11:59p.m. PDT

Initial Application Review date is October 3, 2026. Interviews and recruiting process may occur at any time. Position will remain open until filled.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent education and experience.
• Experience demonstrated through 1 or more years of professional or volunteer fundraising experience; or equivalent transferrable professional experience including strategic relationship development and portfolio management; or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain good working relationships at all organizational levels and with outside constituencies, including donors and volunteers, to develop collaborative working relationships needed to accomplish organizational goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using texting messaging platforms as well as experience creating video and sending through a video platform such as Thank. Experience with a sales enablement platform such as Salesforce or Salesloft.
• 2+ years of professional or volunteer fundraising experience; or equivalent transferrable professional experience including strategic relationship development and portfolio management, preferably in higher education, strongly preferred. Demonstrated experience in developing strategic relationships with individual donors and prospective donors, foundations, and other philanthropic organizations and researching, building and managing a portfolio of donors and prospects with a goal of raising philanthropic support.
• Demonstrated commitment to a culture of safety, collaboration, inclusivity, and team building, working cooperatively and collegially with a complex group of department and campus constituencies.
• Thorough analytical and critical thinking skills, including skills in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution.

Key Responsibilities

• 90% - Fundraising
• 10% - Development Operations

Department Overview

The Annual and Special Gifts Program provides leadership, coordination, and support services to help the university meet its mission, strengthens philanthropic support and focuses efforts on the university's highest priorities and initiatives, including the current comprehensive campaign.

UC Davis Office of Development and Alumni Relations provides leadership, coordination and support services to help the university meet its mission of research, teaching and service by building philanthropic support and executing approved fundraising programs that support the university's highest priorities and initiatives.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Departmental Budgeted Salary Range: $88,100.00 - $92,000.00 annually
• Full FUNDRAISER 3 Classification Pay Scale: $88,100.00 - $162,100.00 annually
• Salary Frequency: Monthly
• Salary Grade: Grade 23
• UC Job Title: FUNDRAISER 3
• UC Job Code: 007547
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Staff: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100
• Shift (Work Schedule): Monday thru Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
• Location: Univ Conf Ctr (CONFCNTR), Davis
• Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• H1-B Eligible: Applicants must be permanently authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.
• This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work). This position is based in Davis, CA and may be eligible for flexible work arrangements, including a hybrid schedule.

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours