Asst. Director, Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement

San Diego Organizing Project; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free on-campus parking

Employee engagement events

Complimentary specialty coffee

Job summary

San Diego Organizing Project is seeking an experienced Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement. This role is crucial in managing fundraising efforts and enhancing alumni relations to support California Western School of Law's mission. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment, driving annual giving campaigns and engaging donors and alumni through innovative strategies.

The position requires strong project management and communication skills, coupled with the ability to develop lasting connections with diverse stakeholders throughout the community.

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of fundraising experience in higher education or nonprofit.
• Ability to engage a diverse population.
• Strong multitasking and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Administer comprehensive annual giving program.
• Manage donor relationships and contribute to fundraising strategies.
• Oversee community engagement programs.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Relationship building

Fundraising experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Salesforce

Constant Contact

Thankview

Job description

California Western School of Law (CWSL) seeks a dynamic, relationship‑driven, and highly organized Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement to support the law school’s fundraising and alumni engagement. Reporting to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement, this position plays a vital role in advancing the law school’s mission through annual giving campaigns, donor stewardship, alumni communications, and engagement programs. The Assistant Director will collaborate with alumni, donors, students, volunteers, and community partners to develop meaningful connections that strengthen philanthropic support and foster lifelong engagement with CWSL. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong project‑management, communication, and relationship‑building skills who thrives in a collaborative and mission‑driven environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Work in collaboration with the Executive Director and Associate Director to administer a comprehensive, multi‑channel annual giving program including direct mail, email, social media, web, phone, video, and in‑person strategies; manage donor segmentation and ensure campaign deadlines are met.

Maintain a portfolio of prospective and current donors, soliciting contributions of up to $5,000 and developing strategies to engage 3Ls and young alumni.

Support student organizations in their fundraising initiatives and ensure compliance with CWSL policies.

Oversee special community‑engagement and philanthropy programs developed by California Western’s clinics, centers, and other departments.

Implement strategies to secure first‑time donors, re‑engage lapsed donors, and oversee stewardship activities for annual campaigns, including recognition lists and giving societies.

Create and manage the annual Giving Day, including oversight of software platforms, and conduct timely donor acknowledgements – thank‑you letters, personal visits, and telephone calls.

Alumni Engagement

Engage law firms and corporate partners to support alumni and student programs, develop a quarterly alumni newsletter, and strategically engage alumni nationwide through events such as the Annual Alumni Reunion, networking functions, community lectures, regional mixers, and other programs.

Systems and Reporting

Update donor recognition lists, judicial walls, signs, placards, and all print publications annually. Serve as the departmental point person for fundraising and communications platforms – website updates, Salesforce, GoFundMe Pro webpages, Constant Contact, Donor Search, Thankview – overseeing donor reports, annual giving lists, and segmentation for appeals and communications. Manage donor record updates, maintaining data integrity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three (3) years of fundraising experience in a higher‑education institution or nonprofit organization specifically focused on annual giving.
• Professional attire and presentation required; attendance at evening, weekend events, and programs required.
• Must be able to travel locally, regionally, and internationally; daily access to a reliable vehicle, valid California driver’s license, and personal vehicle insurance are required.
• Must maintain a clean driving record and meet the organization’s vehicle‑usage policy.
• Demonstrated ability and interest in working with a highly diverse student and employee population.
• Highly organized, self‑directed individual with excellent interpersonal skills, multitasking ability, and strong interpersonal diplomacy.
• Effective time management, analytical and problem‑solving, strong process orientation, project‑management skills, and flexibility.

Compensation

$72,000.00 – $80,000.00 annual salary. The higher end of the range will be considered for well‑qualified candidates.

Benefits

• Generous employer contribution for medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 403(b) employer retirement contribution of 8% (up to $8,000 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

• Convenient location near Little Italy/Downtown with access to restaurants and after‑hour activities.
• Free on‑campus parking facilities.
• Employee‑engagement events 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.

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.