Asst. Director, Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement

California Western School of Law (CWSL) seeks a dynamic, relationship-driven, and highly organized Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement to support the law school's fundraising and alumni engagement efforts.

About the role

Reporting to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement & Alumni Engagement, this position plays a vital role in advancing the law school's mission through annual giving campaigns, donor stewardship, alumni communications, and engagement programs. The Assistant Director will collaborate with alumni, donors, students, volunteers, and community partners to develop meaningful connections that strengthen philanthropic support and foster lifelong engagement with CWSL. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with strong project management, communication, and relationship-building skills who thrives in a collaborative and mission-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Executive Director and Associate Director, administer a comprehensive, multi-channel annual giving program including direct mail, email, social media, web, phone, video, and in-person strategies, ensuring donor segmentation and attention to deadlines.
• Manage a portfolio of prospective and current donors and solicit donations of up to $5,000.
• Develop and implement strategies to engage with and facilitate philanthropy from 3Ls and young alumni.
• Engage with Student Organizations to support their fundraising initiatives and ensure compliance with CWSL policies.
• Support special community engagement and philanthropy programs developed by California Western’s Clinics, Centers, and other departments.
• Develop and implement strategies to secure first-time donors, engage/re-engage current and lapsed donors.
• Oversee stewardship strategies for annual campaigns, including recognition lists and giving societies.
• Create and implement a strategy for an annual Giving Day, including oversight of software platforms.
• Conduct timely annual donor acknowledgements, including thank you letters, personal visits, and telephone calls.
• Engage with law firms and corporate partners to support Alumni and student programs.
• Develop and implement a quarterly Alumni newsletter.
• Support strategic engagement with Alumni across the country by planning and executing alumni engagement events including the Annual Alumni Reunion, networking events, community lectures, regional mixers, and other programs.
• Responsible for annual updates of all donor recognition lists, including donor and judicial walls, signs and placards, and all print publications.
• Serve as the departmental point person for various fundraising and communications platforms, including website updates, Salesforce, GoFundMe Pro webpages, Constant Contact, Donor Search, and Thankview.
• Oversee donor reports, annual giving lists, and segmentation for appeals and communications.
• Manage strategies and implementation for donor record updates.
• Responsible for the integrity of data records.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Three (3) years of fundraising experience in a higher education institution and/or nonprofit organization specifically focused on annual giving.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
• Professional attire and presentation is required.
• Attendance at evening, weekend events, and programs required.
• Must be able to travel to local, regional, and international events.
• Daily access to a reliable vehicle, obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license, and personal vehicle insurance acknowledging the vehicle is used for employee’s work purposes. Must maintain a clean driving record.
• Demonstrated ability and interest in working with a highly diverse student and employee population.
• Must be motivated, highly organized, and a self-directed individual with excellent interpersonal skills who can effectively multitask and handle a variety of matters independently, with minimal supervision, in a professional, polished, and mature manner with tact, diplomacy, and appropriate judgment.
• Effective time management skills, organizational skills, analytical and problem-solving ability, strong process orientation, project management skills, and flexibility.

Pay

$72,000.00 - $80,000.00 Annual Salary. Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for this role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The higher end of the range will be considered for well-qualified candidates.

Benefits

• Generous employer contribution for Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (depending on which plan/level the employee elects).
• 403(b) Employer Retirement contribution of 8% (up to 8k per year), fully and immediately vested.
• Company Paid Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Plan.
• Paid Fall and Winter Breaks.
• Additional 10+ Paid Holidays.
• Accrued Paid Time Off.
• Wellness Programs.
• Free on-campus parking facilities provided.
• Employee engagement events held both virtually and on-campus.
• On-Campus Convenience Store.
• Complimentary bottomless Specialty Coffee.
• Use of on-campus Law Library facilities.

About us

Established in 1924, CWSL is an ABA accredited and AALS member, non-profit law school located in downtown San Diego, California. CWSL has the distinction of being San Diego’s oldest law school. CWSL is the recipient of numerous community service awards, including the State Bar of California President’s Pro Bono Service Award, and the federal government’s President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The law school is also home to numerous outstanding programs, including the Innocence and Justice Clinic, Community Law Project, and New Media Rights Program. The faculty are dedicated to teaching, research, and service to the community.