Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving (ALUMNI EXTERNAL REL SPEC 4)

About the Role

The Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving serves as a technical and strategic leader responsible for developing and implementing complex alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives for the School of Law. Using advanced expertise and a high degree of autonomy, this position designs programs, events, and outreach strategies that strengthen relationships with alumni and external constituencies while advancing the School of Law Alumni Relations and Development’s goals.

The Director oversees day-to-day alumni relations operations and leads the creation of innovative engagement and fundraising programs. This position collaborates with internal partners to maximize outreach, volunteer participation, and constituent connections. The Director works closely with the central development office to create and execute annual giving and stewardship efforts, including key engagement events such as Give Day, reunions, and digital campaigns.

This position has the authority and latitude to design and implement a comprehensive alumni engagement program in alignment with institutional priorities and the strategic goals of the School of Law. The Director provides leadership in improving business processes, recommending policy or procedural enhancements, and developing training related to alumni relations operations.

Responsibilities

• 35% - Stewardship & Annual Giving Strategy: Develop and execute strategies to advance annual giving and stewardship initiatives.
• 30% - Alumni Events & Strategic Programming: Design and implement high-visibility events and programs to engage alumni and external stakeholders.
• 20% - Volunteer Engagement & Leadership Development: Foster volunteer participation and leadership through targeted engagement strategies.
• 15% - Staff Leadership, Training & Operational Oversight: Lead, train, and oversee staff while improving operational processes and policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of training and professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading or designing engagement strategies, programs, or events that advance organizational goals and deepen constituent relationships.
• Experience managing complex projects or high-visibility events involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and sensitive issues with institutional reputational implications.
• Advanced project management skills, including planning and executing complex events or engagement initiatives with measurable objectives, evaluation methods, and continuous improvement practices.
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to produce polished executive-level briefings, persuasive proposals, impact reports, board materials, and constituent-facing communications tailored to target audiences.
• Political acumen and diplomacy to navigate sensitive situations, build partnerships, and represent the institution to senior leadership, volunteers, donors, and external stakeholders.
• Skill to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and address, resolve, and/or mitigate issues diplomatically and proactively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience advising leadership or senior stakeholders on constituent engagement, alumni relations, or volunteer management strategies, preferably within higher education.
• Experience leading high-visibility or complex events, campaigns, or volunteer programs.
• Advanced knowledge of the campus, its mission, goals, academic programs, administrative structure, and issues of concern; and advanced understanding of higher education environments and constituent dynamics.
• Awareness, knowledge, and skill in applying inclusion to one’s work. A profound belief in the value of a safe workforce and a commitment to achieve this goal through collaboration and team building.

About the Department

Development & Alumni Relations (DEVAR) provides leadership in building enduring public trust, understanding, and support for UC Davis and its mission of teaching, research, and public service. DEVAR offers leadership, coordination, and support services to help the university meet its mission by building philanthropic support and executing approved fundraising programs that align with the university's highest priorities and initiatives.

The University of California, Davis, School of Law is a top-tier U.S. law school. Its mission is to provide legal research, education, and outreach. Its outstanding scholarly reputation, high rankings, small size, dedicated faculty of internationally renowned scholars, and uniquely supportive learning environment combine for an experience of legal education that is second to none for its students. The King Hall School of Law is consistently ranked among the best and is expected to continue its upward trajectory.

The School of Law offers a three-year curriculum in the study of law and has a student body of approximately 600-650 degree-seeking candidates, 50+ faculty and lecturers, and 70+ staff members. The staff work in a dynamic workplace and are dedicated to providing unparalleled service and support to the legal community. The School of Law promotes collaboration, innovation, and professional development opportunities among its staff.

Pay

Departmental Budgeted Salary Range: $90,000.00 - $95,000.00/yr., with a full pay range of $88,100.00 - $162,100.00. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Schedule

This is a full-time (100% time), hybrid position with a standard schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional evenings and weekends may be required to meet operational needs.

Benefits

• High-quality and low-cost medical plans for you and your family.
• UC-paid dental and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement plans, including Pension and other Retirement Savings Plans.
• Supplemental insurance options, including life, disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity.
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance, and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees.
• Lactation Support Program and family care discounts and resources.
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support personal and professional thriving.
• On-site Employee Assistance Program with free mental health services.
• Generous paid holidays, vacation, and sick time as outlined in UC policies or collective bargaining agreements.
• Continuing Education allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Standing: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Walking: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Sitting: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Lifting/Carrying (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Pushing/Pulling (0-25 lbs): Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Bending/Stooping: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Squatting/Kneeling: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Twisting: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Reaching overhead: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Complex problem solving/reasoning: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Ability to organize & prioritize: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Communication skills: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Numerical skills: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Constant Interaction: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Customer/Patient Contact: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.

This position is hybrid, based in Davis, CA, and may be eligible for flexible work arrangements. Employee must have the ability to travel to various sites using their own transportation. The position is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance, and functional capacity assessment.