Working Title
Director of Development Communications & Donor Relations
Administrator Level
This position is an MPP II in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP), reporting to the Associate Vice President of Development
SF State University
San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager.
Applicants may visit titleix.sfsu.edu for more information on SF State's policy prohibiting discrimination, and how to file an online report using the procedures under Executive Order 1096 Revised. Inquiries can be directed to the campus Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Administrator by calling (415) 338-2032 or emailing vpsaem@sfsu.edu.
San Francisco State is a 100% Smoke/Vapor-Free Campus. Smoking or Vaping of any tobacco/plant-based substance is not permitted on any University properties.
The person holding this position may be 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.
This position may be a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position may be required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Department
Development Office
Appointment Type
At-Will
Time Base
Full Time (1.0)
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Anticipated Hiring Range
$9,167.00 - $10,000.00 Per Month ($110,004.00 - $120,000.00 Annually)
Salary is commensurate with experience.
Position Summary
The Director of Development Communications & Donor Relations reports to the Associate Vice President of Development. The Director is responsible for communications designed to support fundraising and campaign goals. The Director is also responsible for supervising one fulltime staff member, the Associate Director of Development Communications and Donor Relations, part-time student workers, and consultants.
Employing a customer-friendly model focused on the implementation of effective best practices in development-focused communications, the Director ensures that all development-oriented promotional materials, proposals and newsletters reflect the appropriate image, quality and tone for San Francisco State University. Writes and/or edits proposals in support of major gifts solicitations for foundations, corporations and individuals. Produces, creates, writes and/or edits and oversees the production of development publications and printed and digital collateral. Writes and/or edits and oversees the production of development-related news, both internally and externally. Working with designers, web masters, photographers and videographers, the Director develops and executes a range of promotional and marketing collateral to support development objectives.
The Director is a motivated, self-directed individual who is capable of working without close supervision to successfully meet the Advancement division’s fundraising goals and campaign objectives. The Director may be assigned to special projects depending on the priorities of the University or Advancement division. Where required, the Director coordinates and/or collaborates with Strategic Marketing and Communications.
This position will plan and execute stewardship and cultivation strategic initiatives, donor outreach and communications, donor recognition, acknowledgements, stewardship newsletters, and impact reports. The Director implements and leads a successful and integrated donor relations program that strategically targets all levels of giving as defined by the Development team. They serve as the primary liaison and specialist to advancement personnel in order to provide cultivation and stewardship oversight to individual donors and prospects.
Position Information
Structuring Work
- Creates, writes and/or oversees the preparation of campaign and other development-oriented case statements, newsletters, brochures, video scripts and other promotional materials related to development objectives; coordinates with Development Office leadership, fundraisers, other staff and volunteers as appropriate to develop publications content.
- Proactively produces, updates and manages proposal templates and boilerplate copy for all campaigns and University fundraising objectives.
- Coordinates with University Communications and Development staff to review artistic design of proposals and assists with packaging.
- Designs and implements a stewardship plan that ensures that the various donor segments are adequately stewarded though Donor Impact Newsletters, impact reports, student testimonials etc.
- Attends and provides support to college or university related special events as requested by Advancement leadership.
Use & Share Information
- Reviews and edits all communication materials developed in support of Development’s programs and objectives.
- Initiates and manages the development of original development-oriented publications and coordinates external vendors for production, print and mailing as needed.
- Maintains Development social media pages
Inspire Performance
- Regularly analyzes the efficacy of donor relations and stewardship staff production; conducts a formal evaluation with staff annually and as needed in coordination with Associate Vice President of Development and other team members.
Facilitate Change
- Researches, conceptualizes, writes and edits content for Development and campaign web pages. Works collaboratively with University Strategic Marketing and Communications staff, including Advancement’s web master, on the development, maintenance and regular updating of Development and campaign web pages – and the production and distribution of web-based publications.
- Serves as the lead point-person to gather development-oriented news, as well as to determine related policies and strategies.
- Maintains an active, current understanding of Development and University priorities and programs.
Build Teams
- Coordinates with Development staff to review artistic design of promotional materials.
- Collaborates with fundraisers to help prepare written leadership-level solicitation proposals to individuals, foundations and companies as needed; available to edit all solicitation proposals as needed.
- Works collaboratively with University Strategic Marketing and Communications, Advancement staff, volunteers and the University’s executive and academic leadership.
Manage Talent
- The Director acts as an advocate for the donor relations and stewardship staff, and ensures their efficacy, timely work production, and the implementation of effective best practices in this field.
- Coordinates with the Associate Director of Development Communications and Donor Relations to support effective stewardship programs as appropriate.
- Hires and manages qualified student assistants as needed.
Other Duties as Assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Six to Seven years of experience in communications, preferably in donor or customer communications.
- Extensive knowledge of communications, promotional and marketing principles.
- Demonstrated outstanding, persuasive writing, including experience developing proposals, donor or client briefings, web articles, recognition letters, reports and related publications.
- Demonstrated experience developing communications-oriented business plans, as well as reports focused on production progress and ROI/impact.
- Understanding, knowledge and experience with donor relations or the equivalent.
- Ability to conceive fundraising communications strategies for a variety of audiences and projects.
- Project management experience; multitasking organizational ability enabling a capacity to work on multiple projects with competing deadlines; experience proactively managing regularly changing work priorities.
- Excellent attention to detail, editing and proofreading skills.
- Ability to develop and monitor production schedules and budgets.
- Knowledge of and experience with equity in representation and asset framing.
- Ability to meet deadlines and work with flexibility as deadlines evolve.
- Working knowledge of design, photography and digital media strategies and techniques.
- Ability to effectively use desktop publishing and other computer software.
- Demonstrated ability to produce web-based publications.
- Demonstrated strong oral communications skills; including capacity to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse university community.
- Deep appreciation and understanding of the University’s mission and the ability to articulate academic values internally and externally.
- Bachelor’s degree.
Preferred Qualifications
- Management experience.
- Experience with Development, preferably in a university setting.
- Experience with Drupal, HTML and similar products, techniques and platforms.
Environmental/Physical/Special
- Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Must possess a valid California driver’s license and comply with Defensive Driver’s Training Program requirements.
- Must pass Live Scan background check.
Pre-Employment Requirements
This position requires the successful completion of a background check.
Eligibility to Work
Applicants must be able to provide proof of US Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, within three business days from their date of hire.
Benefits
Threaded through our Total Compensation package is a commitment to Bridging Life's Transitions. SF State is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students and the customers we serve.
We offer a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, 401k, Healthcare Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Vacation and Sick Leave as well as State Holidays and a dynamic Fee Waiver program, all geared towards the University's commitment to attract, motivate and retain our employee.
CSUEU Position (For CSUEU Positions Only)
Eligible and qualified on-campus applicants, currently in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9 are given hiring preference.
Additional Information
SF STATE IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (i.e. H1-B VISAS).
Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU). CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exception. While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.
CSU strongly encourages faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process are encouraged to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to hrwww@sfsu.edu.
The Human Resources office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at (415) 338-1872.
Please note that this position, position requirements, application deadline and/or any other component of this position is subject to change or cancellation at any time.
