Responsibilities

• The Associate Director of External Communications reports to the Senior Director of External Communications and assists the University Development & Alumni Engagement (UDAE) unit in establishing and achieving the goals and objectives of the Department of External Communications.
• The incumbent provides day-to-day leadership and operational management for the External Communications team, overseeing the development and execution of strategic communications that advance fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, and university brand objectives.
• Incumbent works independently to manage the department's day-to-day workflow and production, including project intake, resource allocation, editorial planning, and the external communications calendar to ensure timely, coordinated communications across all external channels.
• The incumbent also serves as a key advisor to the Senior Director on staff development, and operational improvements while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented team culture focused on continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques in fundraising, marketing, planned giving, or a related professional field, preferably within a higher education or complex, dynamic environment.
• Ability to independently research, develop, and draft comprehensive funding proposals, reports, and external communications.
• Ability to actively contribute to the execution and evaluation of complex fundraising programs, demonstrating ingenuity in determining methods to achieve programmatic and development goals.
• Skill in the research, development, and evaluation of programs, including the ability to analyze complex data and information from a variety of sources, develop sound conclusions, and recommend strategic solutions.
• Working knowledge of operational and fiscal analysis, including the ability to apply principles of accounting, fund management, and budgeting to support university development operations (rather than standard clerical record-keeping).
• Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to university development, with the ability to independently interpret, communicate, and apply them.
• Bachelor's Degree and three years of progressively responsible professional experience in development, fundraising, donor relations, marketing, planned giving or other related professional experience with one year being direct fundraising experience.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one by date of hire.

Benefits

• Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees.