Associate Director, Development

Art Center College of Design is searching for an experienced Associate Director, Development to join our team. The salary range for this position: $85,000.. Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.

Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, Art Center College of Design is a global leader in art and design education, accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). It offers a rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum and is committed to a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

The Associate Director, Development reports to the Director of Development and is responsible for frontline fundraising activities. The role focuses on cultivating and soliciting individual donors, primarily targeting major donors and mid-level prospects to support Art Center’s annual, programmatic, capital, and scholarship opportunities.

Frontline Fundraising — 75%

• Act as a relationship manager for 70–100 assigned prospects and donors.
• Develop, propose, and execute strategies to contact, qualify, and cultivate individuals with potential to make major and mid‑level gifts.
• Participate in targeted screening and cultivation events and other strategic methods for donor engagement.
• Identify, cultivate, and develop prospects within existing Art Center philanthropic groups and alumni associations.
• Coordinate and lead campus site visits and tours with donors and prospects.
• Collaborate on campaigns, higher‑ask solicitations, tribute and honorary gifts, and other micro‑campaigns.
• Build and maintain a portfolio of prospective major donors, stewarding their engagement and soliciting increased support.
• Partner with alumni and industry colleagues to expand the donor pool.
• Collaborate with annual giving to craft strategies for donors who are also annual, mid‑level, and planned giving prospects.
• Maintain prospect and donor reporting and monitoring in accordance with all protocols.
• Maintain working and professional relationships with volunteers, faculty, administration, alumni, and staff.

Database Management and Donor Stewardship — 20%

• Ensure compliance with donor intent and coordinate stewardship with all internal departments.
• Collaborate with the advancement services team to use the Raiser’s Edge database for tracking, reporting, and monitoring the emerging prospect pool.

Non‑Essential Duties — 5%

• Assist with restricted gift documentation and scholarship report distribution.
• Serve on educational or college‑wide committees, work groups, task forces, and/or councils.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience cultivating donor relationships and understanding major donor needs.
• Ability to collaborate with the advancement team to build support for operating, capital, and endowment funds.
• Effective research skills and experience with electronic prospect‑screening information.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication and public‑speaking skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and collaboratively with a diverse team.
• Ability to problem‑solve, organize, and complete multiple tasks simultaneously with attention to detail and prioritization.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database systems.
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging in work practices.
• Ability to handle confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Ability to enforce and implement policies and procedures.
• Ability and willingness to travel locally and out of state, and to work evenings and weekends as necessary.
• Valid California Driver License and proof of current insurance.

• Demonstrated ability to strategize, solicit, and close gifts of $25,000 and above.
• Experience and/or interest in contemporary art, media, and design.
• Experience in higher‑education or complex non‑profit environments.
• Experience with Raiser’s Edge database.