Assistant Director of Donor Reporting, Stewardship and Engagement Programs

Department: Development (UC Santa Barbara Office of Development)

Location: Phelps Hall - 1121

Pay range: $75,180 to $84,000/year (full range: $75,180 to $133,770/year). Final offer based on candidate qualifications, experience, and budget.

About the role

The UC Santa Barbara Office of Development blends centralized and decentralized operations. Development officers report to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, with some dedicated to specific schools, units, or regions, working closely with Deans, Directors, faculty, alumni, and donors. A strong central core provides expertise in foundation relations, planned giving, capital projects, donor stewardship, and the UCSB Foundation, ensuring a collaborative environment to enhance UC Santa Barbara's engagement with the private sector.

Reporting to the Senior Director for Donor Relations and Gift Services (DRS), the Assistant Director of Donor Reporting, Stewardship and Engagement Programs ("Assistant Director") oversees centralized stewardship planning and reporting, including highly customized reports, and manages the interpretation and application of complex data for the unit. This role provides expert analytical, strategic planning, project management, and proactive support for DRS, maintaining knowledge of University and divisional policies related to data acquisition, use, and application of Advance in a major capital fundraising environment.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Project Management (40%)
  • Develop stewardship strategies for key donors and gifts in collaboration with Senior Development Leadership.
  • Create a central, comprehensive stewardship plan for key donor constituencies (e.g., Gold Circle Society, Trustees, Lancaster Society).
  • Analyze effectiveness of stewardship strategies and adjust as needed.
  • Design innovative, personalized donor relations and engagement experiences for major donors.
  • Stay current on trends in donor stewardship, philanthropy, fundraising, and higher education to inform DRS recommendations.
  • Manage endowed fund reporting cycles, including financial data and donor audience insights.
  • Oversee annual stewardship portfolios (impact reports, fellowship, scholarship, and programmatic stewardship).
  • Develop and drive stewardship reporting cycles through proactive collaboration and project completion.
  • Manage new projects under the direction of the Senior Director.
• Complex Analysis & Reporting (40%)
  • Produce reports for unit-based and central fundraising programs, analyzing stewardship trends and recommending future programs.
  • Lead research on endowed and current-use funds, including expenditures and market values, to enhance reporting processes.
  • Collaborate with Development Officers to obtain stewardship letters from faculty, deans, students, and campus administrators for impact reporting.
  • Develop, review, evaluate, and modify reports and procedures to improve donor relations and stewardship functions.
  • Provide expert consultation on stewardship reporting and donor experiences to development staff.
  • Perform high-level data analysis to support data-driven decision-making in the development community.
  • Develop and analyze key donor metrics to inform and expand stewardship and engagement programs.
  • Review quantitative and qualitative data to develop strategic donor stewardship recommendations.
  • Generate and analyze broad data sets, identify underlying causes, and develop actionable recommendations.
  • Collaborate with Prospect Management and Research (PMATS) and Advancement Services (including Gift Administration) to resolve data-related issues and policies.
• Supervisory Responsibility & Operations Support (20%)
  • Train and supervise support staff and/or student assistants for major DRS processes related to stewardship reporting and analysis.
  • Serve as liaison between DRS and key administrators, faculty, and staff on donor stewardship, including managing monthly meetings for a DRS liaison group.
  • Implement policies for donor stewardship and reporting protocols.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area.
• 1–3 years of experience demonstrating:
  • Strong analytic and project management skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in reporting and process management.
  • Expertise in writing, grammar, composition, and proofreading.
• Ability to:
  • Analyze problems/issues of diverse scope and determine solutions.
  • Multi-task in a fast-paced, evolving environment with demanding timeframes.
  • Think critically, make informed decisions, and demonstrate sound judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1–3 years of demonstrated expertise in:
  • Analysis and problem-solving, balancing detail with broader contexts for diverse stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, donors).
  • Development, prospect management, development research, and donor relations practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of common organization- or research-specific computer application programs.

Special Conditions

• Occasional evenings and weekends for Development Office, Institutional Advancement, or campus-wide events.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check.
• Compliance with UC Vaccination Programs Policy (proof of vaccination or approved exception/declination).
• UCSB is a tobacco-free environment.
• Final candidate must disclose any prior findings of employment misconduct (e.g., violations of policies on harassment, discrimination, or sexual violence/assault).

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Benefits

Full benefits eligibility, including excellent retirement and health plans. Learn more about benefits of working at UC.