Job Summary

The Digital Giving Specialist reports to the Associate Director of Annual Giving and assists the University Development & Alumni Engagement (UDAE) unit to establish and meet the goals and objectives of Cal Poly Annual Giving. Incumbent works independently on a broad range of projects primarily focused on digital giving and communications that promote the image of the university and/or programs by using market research data to determine the most effective techniques and approaches for reaching target audiences; identifying the needs and interests of various constituent groups; translating the results of research into strategic digital communication efforts; creating marketing programs to better position the university to achieve its goals.

Department Summary

The role of the University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) is to foster strong relationships with internal and external partners to enhance support for Cal Poly. University Development and Alumni Engagement establishes and implements an overall advancement program, including coordinating fundraising, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, training and systems support for the donor database, and Cal Poly Foundation support and administration. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are core values at Cal Poly and UDAE is committed to a continuous process of learning and updating practices to support systemic evolution toward equity, diversity, and inclusion for our team and constituents.

Key Qualifications

• Working knowledge of research and analysis techniques, including project design, data collection, qualitative and quantitative analysis, the presentation of findings, and the creation and implementation of appropriate recommendations.
• Thorough working knowledge of current best practices and trends within annual giving and ability to apply knowledge to advance defined goals and outcomes.
• Skilled at developing and delivering clear, concise, and effective giving communications to different audiences utilizing digital/web modalities, including email, social media, and web and digital content.
• Through knowledge of standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques applicable to annual giving to develop conclusions and make recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships and work collaboratively and professionally with others to meet shared objectives.

Education and Experience

Education and Experience:

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university and three years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and public relations, or a related field. A graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:

• Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain by the date of hire.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $65,000 - $83,000 annually

Classification Range: $49,752 - $90,000 annually

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.