External Communications Lead - Alumni & Development

The California State University; San Luis Obispo, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cal Poly is seeking an Associate Director of External Communications in the University Development and Alumni Engagement unit to lead the External Communications team and advance fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, and the university brand.

The incumbent will manage day-to-day workflow, editorial planning, and the external communications calendar, ensuring timely, coordinated output across channels while advising on staff development and operational improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 3+ years in development, fundraising, donor relations, or marketing; at least 1 year direct fundraising.
• Experience researching, developing, and drafting funding proposals and external communications.
• Ability to contribute to complex fundraising programs and evaluate outcomes.
• Experience analyzing data to recommend strategic solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the External Communications team to support fundraising and alumni engagement.
• Oversee editorial planning and external communications calendar for coordinated output across channels.
• Advise Senior Director on staff development and operational improvements.
• Collaborate to advance university brand objectives and fundraising goals.

Skills

Fundraising

Marketing

Donor relations

Editorial planning

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's Degree and 3+ years in development/fundraising

Job description

Cal Poly is seeking an Associate Director of External Communications in the University Development and Alumni Engagement unit to lead the External Communications team and advance fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, and the university brand.

The incumbent will manage day-to-day workflow, editorial planning, and the external communications calendar, ensuring timely, coordinated output across channels while advising on staff development and operational improvements.