Assistant Director, Donor Recognition (6300U), University Development and Alumni Relations #88695

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Departmental Overview

University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) strengthens Berkeley's excellence through engagement with alums, parents, undergraduate and graduate students, and friends of the University, raising public awareness about Berkeley, and increasing private philanthropy. UDAR provides overall direction for the campus's philanthropic advancement strategies and works to strengthen unit development in partnership with campus fundraisers. UDAR handles a range of central activities and services encompassing communications, stewardship, prospect development, and gift management.

Donor Relations within UDAR is an active advocate for donor interests at Berkeley. The Donor Relations team manages an array of programs that acknowledge and recognize donors for their giving in meaningful ways, report to them on the impact of their philanthropy, and deepen their engagement with the campus.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director, Donor Recognition takes a lead role in managing Berkeley's campuswide donor recognition programs. Through developing, delivering, and administering campuswide donor recognition programs and responding to donor inquiries and issues, this position plays a meaningful role in shaping how Berkeley stewards and communicates with our donors. This multi-faceted role combines program management, donor communication, data analysis, problem solving and collaborative strategy. The Assistant Director, Donor Recognition ensures that recognition programs support the objectives of timely, accurate, and personal stewardship and cultivation of leadership and principal gift donors, while providing a foundational level of stewardship for the campus's broader donor community.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: September 18, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Manages Donor Recognition Giving Societies - 50%

• Using institutional knowledge and awareness of donor and constituent perceptions, and with a strong focus on data analysis, executes outreach activities associated with annual, lifelong, and loyal giving recognition programs and giving societies. These activities include analyzing large data sets, ensuring donor communication preferences and special handling requirements are accurately implemented.

Advances Recognition and Stewardship Strategy - 20%

• Recommends and helps implement enhancements to recognition programs, stewardship initiatives, and donor engagement strategies based on program outcomes, donor feedback, evolving campus priorities, as well as the new advancement database system and innovative technologies such as AI. Networks with campus partners and industry peers to identify trends and program improvements and support fundraising objectives. Pursues automated solutions to gain efficiencies and manage programs at scale.

Coordinates Data, Reporting, and Program Administration - 10%

• Works closely with Information Strategy and Analytics department and other campus partners to support reporting needs, ensure data accuracy, facilitate program administration, and resolve operational issues that arise. Tracks progress on reporting updates and changes resulting from database system change.

Maintains Documentation and Data Integrity - 10%

• Ensures stewardship activities and communications are accurately documented in the advancement database. Effectively documents processes for execution of donor recognition programs.

Manages Donor Inquiries and Benefits Administration - 10%

• Monitors donor-facing e-mail and phone accounts, responding to inquiries, and coordinating with campus partners to ensure donor benefits and engagement opportunities are aligned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of experience demonstrating knowledge of a large complex organization (e.g. higher education or non-profit institutions) including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, issues of concern, and infrastructure.
• Minimum of three years of experience applying advanced knowledge of donor relations, stewardship, and donor recognition principles and practices.
• Minimum of three years advanced knowledge of practices and procedures associated with building and maintaining effective relationships with donors, fundraising professionals, and internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to tailor communications to a variety of donor audiences.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to analyze complex information, evaluate alternatives, and make sound recommendations.
• Demonstrated skill in recognizing potential areas of donor or constituent concern and addressing, resolving, and/or mitigating issues.
• Advanced project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated technical acumen and proficiency with relevant systems, tools, and technologies, with the ability to quickly learn and effectively apply new platforms and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of higher education fundraising and constituent engagement strategies.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,000 - $110,000.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a 3-year, full-time (40 hours/week) contract position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 80% remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.