Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Association of Fundraising Professionals; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Marshall B. Ketchum University in Fullerton, California, is seeking an Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations to lead annual giving, scholarship stewardship, and alumni engagement across MBKU programs.

The role manages a donor portfolio of 75–125 alumni and organizational prospects, develops cultivation and solicitation strategies, and partners with the AVP to implement fundraising plans and reports progress.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of annual fundraising experience, preferably at a higher education institution.
• Thorough working knowledge of annual fundraising, donor relations, alumni relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Direct solicitation fundraising experience both orally and in written format.
• Strong knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• Strong organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills, including project management.
• Strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently with department, school and institutional goals in mind.

Responsibilities

• Articulate the case for support and communicate the priorities and mission of the university.
• Manage and engage a portfolio of 75–125 alumni and organizational prospects, conducting strategic outreach.
• Develop and execute cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies to advance donors through the major gift pipeline.
• Develop proposals and collateral to secure private support for scholarships, sponsorships and program priorities.
• Write, develop and manage annual giving appeals and donor communications.
• Collaborate with Alumni Council and program-based alumni societies to engage donors and volunteers.

Skills

Donor relations

Alumni relations

Portfolio management

Prospect identification

Effective communication

Fundraising strategy

Writing skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

MS Office

Job description

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Advancement (AVP), the Associate Director of Development and Alumni Relations is responsible for annual giving, scholarship stewardship, and alumni relations for MBKU and all three programs (Southern California College of Optometry, School of Physician Assistant Studies, and the College of Pharmacy). This position is responsible for annual fundraising from individuals and organizations at the $24,999 level and below, through annual giving appeals and individual portfolio outreach. The Associate Director works closely with the AVP for University Advancement to develop fundraising priorities and execute annual fundraising plans for MBKU and the three programs. This position actively manages a prospect portfolio of 75-125 individuals, identifies and qualifies new prospects, and oversees the annual solicitations and stewardship for scholarship donors. Additionally, the Associate Director works closely with the Alumni Council and affiliated program-based alumni societies and the AVP, to develop programs to engage alumni and build relationships to secure private support and build alumni pride.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Articulate the case for support with effectiveness; communicate the priorities, goals and mission of the university.
• Articulate the value of gifts to MBKU and the three programs to meet programmatic fundraising priorities and goals.
• Manage and actively engage a portfolio of approximately 75-125 alumni and organizational prospects. Conduct strategic outreach to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies designed to advance prospects through the major gift pipeline. Performance expectations include consistently achieving monthly, quarterly, and annual metrics including but not limited to outreach attempts, number of meaningful donor visits, substantive donor conversations, gift solicitations, and other key metrics as defined by UA leadership.
• Develop proposals and other necessary written collateral to secure private support for annual campus and program priorities including scholarships, sponsorships, programmatic needs and other college based and MBKU programmatic fundraising priorities.
• Write, develop, and manage the execution of annual giving appeals.
• Responsible for developing increasing levels of involvement and support among donors and prospects utilizing best practices for cultivation and stewardship through regular correspondence and contacts in person, by phone, mail and email.
• Assist with annual giving, scholarship, Alumni Council and Club engagement activities and events. Assist the AVP in developing programs to increase engagement activities for alumni, including alumni awards programming, regional receptions, alumni giving clubs and other volunteer opportunities that align with institutional and program-based priorities.
• Contribute to the overall strategic plan for the office of University Advancement as it relates to Alumni Relations, scholarship fundraising, stewardship of donors, and annual fund outreach.
• Assist with Alumni Council meetings by preparing agendas, scheduling meetings and working with the AVP to record minutes and provide other resources needed.
• Participate in professional conference alumni receptions and programs.
• Field phone calls and inquiries from alumni and donors and assist or direct them to the proper UA representative.
• Utilize the Raiser’s Edge database to record donor interactions, solicitations, opportunities, and other significant fundraising/stewardship information and actions on behalf of MBKU, complying with expectations as outlined for UA Prospect Management.
• Collect data and generate reports for assigned prospects as well as the scholarship and annual fund programs as needed.
• Engage in campus and community activities and functions as assigned.
• In collaboration with the UA team, develop donor stewardship reports for assigned prospects and scholarship donors
• Be an active and collaborative team member in University Advancement and with colleagues across the campus to accomplish goals.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 2-5 years of annual fundraising experience, preferably at a higher education institution; or equivalent combination of education/experience.
• Thorough working knowledge of annual fundraising, donor relations, alumni relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Direct solicitation fundraising experience both orally and in written format.
• Strong knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• Strong organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills, including skills in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification / avoidance / resolution, and project management skills.
• Strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently with department, school and institutional goals in mind.
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving multiple and sometimes competing constituencies.
• Skill in communicating persuasively, both orally and in writing, about private philanthropy in general and in particular as it applies to MBK.

Preferred:

Thorough working knowledge of the location, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure. Working knowledge of Raiser’s Edge or comparable a donor/prospect database system.

• Understanding of academic and education functions and operating principals of a university.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office, Excel, Raiser’s Edge or similar donor databases.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to work weekends and evenings as needed.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize daily based on demands and deadlines.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training at a similar institution or non-profit.
• 2+ years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, annual fundraising and/or alumni relations and fundraising.
• Strong writing skills with experience developing annual fund solicitations, gift agreements and stewardship reports.
• 2+ years of event planning experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with campus partners and volunteers.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to achieve timely progress on multiple simultaneous complex projects, meet deadlines and maintain a high level of productivity.

Preferred:

• Working knowledge of the higher education and/or health care environment.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

SEE YOURSELF HERE

Located on a beautiful, seven-acre campus in Fullerton, California, MBKU is an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution. MBKU is home to the Southern California College of Optometry, the School of PA Studies, College of Pharmacy and the Doctor of Medical Science Program (DMSc) . MBKU owns and operates three health care centers at their clinical teaching facility, Ketchum Health, providing a vision center and PA medical clinic practice in Orange County and second vision center in Los Angeles.

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE SINCE 1904

In 1904, Marshall B. Ketchum, MD, opened the Los Angeles School of Ophthalmology and Optometry in Los Angeles. Dr. Ketchum was a visionary entrepreneur and prominent leader in the optometric profession. He made very significant and long-standing contributions in his field of care, in California and throughout the nation.

In the early ‘70s the College moved to its current home in Fullerton, CA and was renamed Southern California College of Optometry. But even the pioneering Dr. Ketchum could not have envisioned his school would grow to become Marshall B. Ketchum University, an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution encompassing multiple disciplines.

BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION

Marshall B. Ketchum University offers career opportunities that will put you at the forefront of health care education. You will be provided with learning and advancement opportunities, as well as a culture that recognizes the importance of fun, employee appreciation and a work-life balance.

Our mission is to educate caring, inspired health care professionals who are prepared to deliver collaborative, patient-centric health care in an interprofessional environment. By joining our family, you can help us reimagine the future and inspire future health care leaders.

INTERPROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE LEADERS

At Marshall B. Ketchum University, we have led the way in interprofessional healthcare, building on a century of experience as an optometry school. In 2012, the first Physician Assistant program in Orange County was added, followed by the College of Pharmacy program in 2014. Most recently in 2024, we expanded our offerings with the addition of the fully-online Doctor of Medical Science(DMSc) program. Side-by-side in group discussions, community service, and clinical experience, our OD, PA, PharmD and DMSc students learn what it means to deliver patient-centered health care as a collaborative team of professionals.

BENEFITS

MBKU provides an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance, free vision exams, short and long term disability, generous paid time off plans, a university-sponsored retirement plan.

• medical
• dental
• life insurance
• free vision exams
• short and long term disability
• generous paid time off plans
• a university-sponsored retirement plan

See our website under Employment for more details regarding benefits of working for MBKU (www.ketchum.edu).

MBKU is an equal opportunity employer; requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

MBKU is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, it is University policy to prevent the unlawful discrimination against students, applicants for admission, employees, applicants for employment and patients requesting treatment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The University also prohibits sexual harassment and harassment on any of the above bases (please refer to the Title IX page for more information).

Located on a beautiful, seven-acre campus in Fullerton, California, MBKU is an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution. MBKU is home to the Southern California College of Optometry, the School of PA Studies, College of Pharmacy and the Doctor of Medical Science Program (DMSc) . MBKU owns and operates three health care centers at their clinical teaching facility, Ketchum Health, providing a vision center and PA medical clinic practice in Orange County and second vision center in Los Angeles.