KPBS Mid-level Development Officer

SDSU Research Foundation; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule/remote work options

10 vacation days

13 holidays off

Full benefits package

On-site childcare discounts

Job summary

SDSU Research Foundation is seeking a Mid-Level Development Officer to manage donor relationships and grow philanthropy with mid-level supporters (roughly $600–$5,000 annually). You will collaborate with the Development and Membership teams to advance fundraising strategies and donor engagement across channels.

The role emphasizes portfolio management, stewardship, and data-driven revenue growth within KPBS programming and campus initiatives, with remote work flexibility depending on position.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated fundraising experience, including donor cultivation and soliciting gifts.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills with donors and partners.
• Knowledge of the mission of public media and KPBS programming.
• Ability to collaborate across teams to coordinate donor engagement and revenue.
• Experience with donor databases and fundraising software.

Responsibilities

• Manage a tiered portfolio of 400-600 mid-level members with touchpoints.
• Develop and achieve portfolio revenue goals and forecast revenue.
• Cultivate and steward relationships with donors through multiple channels.
• Participate in in-person stewardship and Producers Club activities.
• Ensure donor-centric communications in solicitation, acknowledgement and stewardship.

Skills

Donor cultivation

Donor solicitation

CRM systems

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

CRM software

Donor management databases

Job description

Overview

The salary range for this position is $6,250.00 - $7,250.00 per month / $75,000 - $87,000 per year depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position is scheduled to close on 11/17/2026 at 4:00 p.m. (PST)

KPBS serves the greater San Diego community with informative, cultural, entertaining and educational television, radio, and digital programming. KPBS TV/FM is the public television and radio station for San Diego. Licensed to San Diego State University, KPBS supports and furthers the university’s educational and community service mission by informing, enlightening and empowering its audience. It does so not only by presenting national and locally produced programming of value to its San Diego audience, but also by producing programming about San Diego and its people for distribution nationwide.

The Development Division plays a key role in raising awareness of KPBS programming and activities throughout the community. The function of the Development Division is to manage and increase all aspects of major gifts, mid-level gifts, planned gifts, endowment gifts, campaign gifts, and annual membership at the Producers Club level and above.

Perksyou'll enjoy as a member of #teamKPBS

• Working on a college campus & in public media: Access to campus facilities and staff perks, weekly farmer's market, tons of eateries, community events, entertainment, etc.

• Hybrid schedule/ remote work flexibility options (varies by position)
• 10 vacation days, 1 personal day & 13 holidays off (4+ days off over winter break)
• Enjoy a 'beautiful day in the neighborhood' with local employee discounts
• Opportunity drawings to attend SDSU basketball games, local concerts and events
• Discounts on local attractions (theme parks, entertainment, restaurants, memberships)
• Free wellness classes & programs
• Staff pop-up events
• Full benefits packages that are unmatched (medical, dental, vision, life)
• Sick leave accruals and paid leave options
• On-site childcare at a discounted rate (based on availability)
• Opportunities for continued learning and professional development
• Flexible spending account(s)
• Employee assistance program
• Matching and voluntary retirement savings plan

*Flexibility to attend events that occur on nights and weekends is a must*

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Mid-Level Development Officer is responsible for managing a portfolio of current and prospective mid-level members (currently defined as $600-$5,000 in annual support), including discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. The goal of the Mid-Level Development Officer is to identify donor capacity, elevate engagement, and increase philanthropy from our membership pool.

In collaboration with the Development and Membership teams and partners across the organization, the Mid-Level Development Officer advances philanthropic support by cultivating donor relationships and building a pipeline of prospective donors from Membership to Major Gifts. This position develops meaningful opportunities for donors and prospects to deepen their engagement with KPBS’s mission, increase their understanding of organizational programs and initiatives, and connect their philanthropic interests with opportunities to make a lasting impact.

The Mid-level Development Officer is responsible for but not limited to:

Fundraising (80%)

• Manage a tiered portfolio of 400-600 current and prospective mid-level members with planned touch points, prompt and timely communications, and a focus on donor retention and increased giving

• Develop and achieve portfolio revenue goals, monitor giving trends, and forecast revenue for sustained growth

• Cultivate and steward relationships with current and prospective mid-level donors through multiple engagement channels (phone, email, meetings) to strengthen donor relationships, increase philanthropic support, achieve revenue goals, and enhance the overall donor experience
• Strengthen donor relationships and deepen engagement through meaningful in-person stewardship, including active participation in Producers Club activities and other donor and community events
• Ensure appropriate and consistent donor-centric communications in all materials, such as solicitation, acknowledgement, stewardship and customer service
• Participate in writing, editing, image sourcing and content approval

Operations and Administration (10%)

• Work closely with department leadership to develop and implement analysis on financial trends, key performance indicators (KPIs) and testing successes; ensure data-driven decision making on current and future strategy to continuously strengthen relationships and increase revenue

• Maintain accurate and updated donor records by documenting outreach activities, such as call notes, member interactions, email communications and new or updated donor information
• Understand KPBS programs and initiatives and effectively communicate the organization’s mission and impact to donors and prospects
• Collaborate with the Development and Membership teams and cross-functional partners to coordinate donor engagement, share information, and advance fundraising and organizational goals

Other Duties & Responsibilities as Assigned (10%)

• Support donor cultivation, stewardship, and organizational initiatives by attending events and representing KPBS in the community

• Monitor fundraising trends (especially public media giving trends) and continue learning about effective fundraising approaches and solutions
• Assist with strategic initiatives and projects as needed

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience in philanthropic fundraising, including successful donor cultivation and gift solicitation
• Proven ability to provide exceptional customer service and build relationships with donors, colleagues and external partners
• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of public media and KPBS programming
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across teams to coordinate donor engagement, share information, and advance organizational goals
• Knowledge of CRM systems and databases
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, strategies, and best practices to support donor engagement, cultivation, stewardship, and revenue growth
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and apply strong interpersonal skills to advance objectives
• Knowledge of strong grammar, composition, and attention to detail required for drafting correspondence
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage, and complete projects on time, within budget, and within established scope

• Ability to maintain data integrity through accurate, transparent, and timely reporting of steward activities
• Ability to manage multifaceted priorities and project timelines effectively

• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to exercise sound judgement and meet critical deadlines
• Knowledge of and ability to adhere to established protocols and operational guidelines
• Ability to apply a high degree of cultural competency and sensitivity when engaging with diverse stakeholders

Minimum Education

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Nonprofit Management, Communications, Business) or additional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis

Minimum Experience

• Two years of progressively responsible experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of experience in non-profit fundraising, donor relations, development, or a related field
• Experience with membership or fundraising program management, developing donor communication strategies, and implementing stewardship plans
• Familiarity with major gifts programs, public media fundraising and donor cultivation events
• Proven experience cultivating and stewarding relationships with mid-level and annual donors
• Proficiency in using donor management databases and fundraising software
• Understanding of philanthropic practices, donor demographics, and motivations for giving, with familiarity in specialized financial reporting
• Experience achieving measurable fundraising outcomes in an organization with an annual operating budget that exceeds $20 million

Additional Applicant Information:

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.