Associate Director, Donor Recognition (0456U), University Development and Alumni Relations - #83673

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR)

UDAR strengthens Berkeley's excellence through engagement with alums, parents, undergraduate and graduate students, and friends of the University, raising public awareness about Berkeley, and increasing private philanthropy. UDAR provides overall direction for the campus's philanthropic advancement strategies and works to strengthen unit development in partnership with campus fundraisers. UDAR handles a range of central activities and services encompassing communications, stewardship, prospect development, and gift management.

Donor Relations - University Development and Alumni Relations

Donor Relations within UDAR is an active advocate for donor interests at Berkeley. The Donor Relations team manages an array of programs that acknowledge and recognize donors for their giving in meaningful ways, report to them on the impact of their philanthropy, and deepen their engagement with the campus.

Position Summary

This Associate Director, Donor Recognition position in UDAR is responsible for reaching, serving, and engaging external constituencies--principally donors--through designing, developing, delivering, and administering campuswide donor communications and outreach programs. This work entails complex analysis of high level data in support of donor relations and stewardship activities and priorities. Provides leadership implementing and adapting new technology and tools to advance efficiencies and ability to scale and personalize programs. Translates constituent needs and priorities into customized programs to create, enhance, and sustain relationships between the campus and its donors.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 01/27/2026.

Responsibilities

Donor Recognition Programs

• Using institutional knowledge and expert awareness of alumni and other key constituencies, designs, develops, and implements donor communications associated with Donor Relations' annual, loyal and lifelong giving recognition programs.
• Collaborates at a high level with all campus units to develop effective communications and advance unit and campus-wide engagement for broad audiences, tailored to donor interest, in support of Berkeley's fundraising and stewardship goals.
• Serves broad-based internal and external constituencies, including campus units as well as highly influential donor populations which include top donors and Trustees.
• Oversees complex donor relations programs and projects, including production of audio/visual, written, and visual materials.

Data, Innovation and Strategy

• Expert in planning, executing, and evaluating information and communications programs that strengthen donor engagement and reinforce their philanthropic commitment to Berkeley.
• Analyzes and interprets data related to Donor Relations initiatives and electronic communications, preparing reports and recommending strategies to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Provides advanced data analysis to manage pledge and documented intention reminder programs.
• Collaborates with gift officers across campus-including assistant deans and executive-level directors-to implement stewardship and engagement efforts.
• Maintains thorough communication records in the advancement database to support prospect research and campuswide list development.
• Leads the design and evaluation of broad-based communications that enhance donors' understanding of the impact of their support and advance campus fundraising goals.
• Drives the evolution of lifelong giving recognition programs and stewardship strategies for major campaign donors.

Technological Solutions

• Serves as liaison between Donor Relations team and UDAR teams responsible for management and reporting of advancement data.
• Represents Donor Relations team to address significant database and other technological needs that arise.
• Leads efforts to implement and adapt new technologies and tools to facilitate and strengthen Donor Relations' work, promoting and enhancing donors' engagement with Berkeley.
• Identifies technology solutions to advance Donor Relations' ability to automate and scale its programs and tailor its communications based on donor interests.
• Ensures Donor Relations stays apace with industry trends and innovation.

May mentor less experienced staff members. Additional duties as assigned to meet UDAR operational needs.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience demonstrating expert, thorough, in-depth knowledge and understanding of all aspects of a large, complex higher education institution, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, infrastructure, history, long-range strategic plans, current issues of concern, accomplishments and awards.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience demonstrating expert knowledge of philanthropy, specifically promoting relations with donors as well as other external and campus constituencies, including their composition and areas of concern.
• Expert knowledge of the principles and concepts of building and maintaining effective relationships with external constituencies to achieve institutional goals and objectives.
• Expert level written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including attentive listening skills and skills to ascertain constituency perception.
• Expert skill to quickly identify and develop strategies to effectively communicate the institution's message.
• Expert level analytical and decision-making skills, sound judgment and highly developed political acumen.
• Expert skill to recognize potential areas of constituency concern and skill to effectively address, resolve and/or mitigate problems or issues.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $124,700.00 - $131,100.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position requires one day a week working in the office and is eligible for up to 80% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.