Executive Director, Development & Alumni Engagement, West Coast

About the role

The Executive Director (ED) is the senior regional leader for Institutional Advancement (IA) on the West Coast. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the ED provides the executive presence and operational authority necessary to lead a high-functioning regional team while serving as the primary strategic advancement bridge between the Los Angeles office and the Boston campus.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with Institutional Advancement leadership, as well as college leadership to grow a successful major giving program as well as build a portfolio of international donors residing in the West Coast market and territories as assigned.
• Manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity West Coast prospects, moving them through the stages of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Working closely with the Boston-based AVP for Alumni Relations, execute strategic alumni engagement events in Los Angeles.
• Design and execute a comprehensive West Coast advancement plan that implements and leverages regional events and alumni networks to feed the Major and Principal Gift pipelines.
• Ensure that donors are well-informed, acknowledged in meaningful ways, and appreciated in an appropriate manner throughout the year.
• Maintain direct supervisory authority over Los Angeles-based IA staff.
• Manage the Los Angeles IA budget and oversee daily office operations to ensure a consistent and professional Emerson presence on the West Coast.
• Partner closely with Emerson’s Boston-based leadership to ensure regional programs (Annual Fund, Alumni Events, etc.) adhere to global branding, data standards, and strategic objectives.
• Serve as the chief IA representative to the Emerson LA (ELA) Dean and local campus leadership, ensuring advancement activity supports the specific needs of the LA program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, Business, or a related field or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in development, alumni relations, or nonprofit management, with a proven track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams.
• Mastery of Los Angeles’ professional landscape and the ability to pivot seamlessly between academic and industry environments.
• Demonstrated success in closing major gifts and navigating complex donor landscapes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to represent the VP and the College to high-level donors, industry leaders, and ELA leadership with confidence and authority.
• Masterful written and oral communication skills, characterized by a commitment to proactive transparency.
• Exceptional ability to work within a matrixed organization, balancing a direct reporting line to the VP with the need for deep, functional collaboration with Boston-based department heads.
• Strong skills in budget management, staff coaching, and project management.
• Professional experience working and/or fundraising in communication, arts, media, or equivalent fields preferred.
• Strong understanding and experience on the application of AI tools for fundraising and relationship management preferred.

Physical Abilities

• Ability to attend and lead regional events, which may include evening and weekend commitments.

Work Environment

• Usual office conditions

In-office Expectations

• This position is primarily a hybrid role with expected days in the office each week.
• Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness.

Compensation

$131,900.00 - $168,200.00 annually, commensurate with experience.