Executive Director, Development & Alumni Engagement, West Coast

Emerson College; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 131,900 - 168,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses

Dental plans

Generous time-off programs

403(b) retirement benefit with 9% employer contribution

Job summary

Emerson College is seeking a knowledgeable fundraising director to expand major giving initiatives on the West Coast, particularly in Los Angeles. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in nonprofit management, preferably with a strong record in donor relations and multi-disciplinary team leadership.

This hybrid role requires the ability to engage effectively with high-capacity donors and manage a team, contributing to the college's growth and impact.

Compensation ranges from $131,900.00 to $168,200.00 annually, complemented by comprehensive health benefits and a generous retirement plan.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in development, alumni relations, or nonprofit management.
• Proven track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams and closing major gifts.
• Expertise in engaging high-net-worth individuals and navigating donor landscapes.

Responsibilities

• Grow a major giving program and build a portfolio of donors in West Coast market.
• Manage high-capacity West Coast prospects through all engagement stages.
• Collaborate to execute strategic alumni engagement events in Los Angeles.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor relationship management

Budget management

Project management

Staff coaching

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, Business, or related field

Master’s degree

Job description

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

Work closely with Institutional Advancement leadership and college leadership to grow a successful major giving program and build a portfolio of international donors residing in the West Coast market and territories as assigned.

Manage a personal portfolio of high‑capacity West Coast prospects, moving them through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship stages.

Collaborate with Boston‑based AVP for Alumni Relations to execute strategic alumni engagement events in Los Angeles.

Design and execute a comprehensive West Coast advancement plan that implements and leverages regional events and alumni networks to support Major and Principal Gift pipelines.

Ensure donors are well‑informed, acknowledged, and appreciated in appropriate ways throughout the year.

Maintain direct supervisory authority over Los Angeles‑based IA staff.

Manage the Los Angeles IA budget and oversee daily office operations to ensure a consistent Emerson presence on the West Coast.

Partner with Emerson’s Boston‑based leadership to ensure regional programs (Annual Fund, Alumni Events, etc.) adhere to global branding, data standards, and strategic objectives.

Serve as the chief IA representative to the Emerson LA (ELA) Dean and local campus leadership, ensuring advancement activity supports the specific needs of the LA program.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree preferred.

10+ years of progressively responsible experience in development, alumni relations, or nonprofit management, with a proven track record of managing multi‑disciplinary teams.

Demonstrated success in closing major gifts and navigating complex donor landscapes and ability to engage high‑net‑worth individuals and top‑tier executives.

Mastery of the Los Angeles professional landscape and ability to pivot between academic and industry environments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Represent the VP and the College to high‑level donors, industry leaders, and ELA leadership with confidence and authority.

Strong written and oral communication skills, proactive transparency, timely flow of information back to leadership, accurate CRM documentation.

Ability to work within a matrixed organization, balancing direct reporting to the VP with collaboration across Boston‑based departments.

Strong skills in budget management, staff coaching, and project management.

Professional experience in communication, arts, media, or equivalent fields preferred.

Experience and understanding of AI tools for fundraising and relationship management preferred.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

Ability to attend and lead regional events, which may include evenings and weekends; local travel within Los Angeles and periodic travel to Boston for leadership meetings and campaign planning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Usual office conditions; hybrid role with expected days in the office each week. Candidates must reside within reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness.

Compensation

$131,900.00 – $168,200.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

Health plans with limited out‑of‑pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time‑off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits include life and disability coverage and commuter offerings.