Digital Giving Specialist - University Development & Alumni Engagement

Job Summary

The Digital Giving Specialist reports to the Associate Director of Annual Giving and assists the University Development & Alumni Engagement (UDAE) unit to establish and meet the fundraising goals and objectives of Cal Poly Annual Giving. Incumbent works independently on a broad range of projects primarily focused on digital fundraising strategy, crowdfunding, and donor acquisition and retention through digital communications that promote philanthropic support of the university and/or programs.

Using market research data and fundraising performance metrics, the incumbent determines the most effective techniques and approaches for reaching target donor audiences; identifies the philanthropic interests and giving behaviors of various constituent groups; translates research and donor insights into strategic digital fundraising campaigns; and creates marketing and solicitation programs to increase donor participation, revenue, and engagement in support of university priorities.

The role of the University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) is to foster strong relationships with internal and external partners to enhance support for Cal Poly. University Development and Alumni Engagement establishes and implements an overall advancement program, including coordinating fundraising, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, training and systems support for the donor database, and Cal Poly Foundation support and administration.

• Working knowledge of annual giving principles, digital fundraising strategies, and current best practices in advancement and philanthropy.
• Demonstrated ability to independently analyze fundraising performance data, donor engagement metrics, and campaign outcomes to develop data-informed recommendations and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Proficiency in digital fundraising and donor management platforms (e.g., crowdfunding platforms, e-solicitation tools, CRM/advancement databases) and the ability to train others on their use.
• Skilled in developing compelling fundraising content and communications across digital channels including email, social media, web, and multimedia formats tailored to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple fundraising campaigns, projects, and events within time and budget constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including campus partners, donors, and vendors.

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis

• Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain by the date of hire

Anticipated Hiring Range: $68,508 - $85,188 per year

Classification Range: $63,288 - $92,208 per year

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining…