Verified Job
Marketing
Director, Annual Giving and Development Communications
Marketing
#57537
Remote / WFH
Art Center College of Design
Job Description
ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Director, Annual Giving and Development Communications to join our team.
The salary range for this position: $90,000.00 - 95,000.00
Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
This is a full-time in-region position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as defined by the department. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed hybrid with the expectation of at least 3 days in the office or required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings. The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice. Maybe required to work nights and weekends to staff department events.
Essential Functions
Annual Giving Strategy and Execution – 25%
Lead a comprehensive, data-informed annual giving program supporting both unrestricted and targeted priorities (e.g., ArtCenter100, FullCircle, tribute giving, faculty/staff campaigns)
Develop and manage a data-informed, year-round calendar of annual giving activities, appeals, and stewardship initiatives aligned with College priorities.
Plan and implement multi-channel solicitations:
Partner directly with the College’s mail house to produce and distribute hard copy appeals
Oversee digital appeals and email campaigns through RENXT
Design and implement donor acquisition, retention, and engagement workflows, including:
Identifying and cultivating new donors
Retaining and upgrading existing annual donors
Identifying donors with potential to move into mid-level, major, and planned giving portfolios
Partner with Major Gifts and Planned Giving to strengthen pipeline development and identify upgrade opportunities
Collaborate with Advancement Services to analyze performance metrics, track ROI, and optimize campaign effectiveness
Stewardship and Donor Relations – 20%
Develop and oversee donor stewardship strategies that reflect best practices in donor relations.
Oversee acknowledgment and recognition programs, ensuring timely, personalized, and meaningful donor communications
Maintain appropriate donor recognition levels and benefits, with attention to tax deductibility and donor experience
Conceive and support donor engagement and appreciation opportunities in collaboration with Advancement colleagues.
Development Communications and Project Management – 25%
Serve as the primary Advancement point of contact with the College’s Marketing and Communications team, ensuring alignment of messaging and brand voice
Lead Advancement communications planning and execution across fundraising, alumni, and industry engagement initiatives
Manage complex, cross-functional communications projects from concept through delivery, including timelines, stakeholder coordination, and outcomes
Oversee the creation of print, digital, and web-based Advancement communications related to annual giving and stewardship.
Volunteer and Board Leadership (FullCircle) – 15%
Provide strategic and operational leadership for the FullCircle Board
Oversee meeting planning, communications, and engagement strategies to maximize volunteer impact
Partner with Advancement leadership to align board activities with fundraising goals and donor pipeline development
Collaborate with alumni and industry engagement colleagues to strengthen volunteer and donor relationships.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or any equivalent combination of training and experience
At least 5 years of experience in annual giving, advancement, or nonprofit fundraising
Demonstrated success executing annual giving programs and donor stewardship initiatives
Experience working with volunteer groups or advisory boards
Working knowledge of donor pipelines, including annual, mid-level, major, and planned giving
Excellent written and oral communication and negotiation skills; ability to translate complex academic, artistic, and technical concepts into language understandable by lay audiences
Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other equivalent Customer Relations Management (CRM) systems
Ability to maintain good working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders related to the ongoing operations of the division, including, donors, volunteers, executive leadership, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni
The salary range for this position: $90,000.00 - 95,000.00
Final salary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role, and internal equity.
About ArtCenter
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education and has had an international reputation for its rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strong ties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is a private nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
Every position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
This is a full-time in-region position. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or as defined by the department. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed hybrid with the expectation of at least 3 days in the office or required as a condition of employment. The demands of this work may include weekends or evenings. The college reserves the right to modify schedules as needed to meet the business needs with appropriate notice. Maybe required to work nights and weekends to staff department events.
Essential Functions
Annual Giving Strategy and Execution – 25%
Lead a comprehensive, data-informed annual giving program supporting both unrestricted and targeted priorities (e.g., ArtCenter100, FullCircle, tribute giving, faculty/staff campaigns)
Develop and manage a data-informed, year-round calendar of annual giving activities, appeals, and stewardship initiatives aligned with College priorities.
Plan and implement multi-channel solicitations:
Partner directly with the College’s mail house to produce and distribute hard copy appeals
Oversee digital appeals and email campaigns through RENXT
Design and implement donor acquisition, retention, and engagement workflows, including:
Identifying and cultivating new donors
Retaining and upgrading existing annual donors
Identifying donors with potential to move into mid-level, major, and planned giving portfolios
Partner with Major Gifts and Planned Giving to strengthen pipeline development and identify upgrade opportunities
Collaborate with Advancement Services to analyze performance metrics, track ROI, and optimize campaign effectiveness
Stewardship and Donor Relations – 20%
Develop and oversee donor stewardship strategies that reflect best practices in donor relations.
Oversee acknowledgment and recognition programs, ensuring timely, personalized, and meaningful donor communications
Maintain appropriate donor recognition levels and benefits, with attention to tax deductibility and donor experience
Conceive and support donor engagement and appreciation opportunities in collaboration with Advancement colleagues.
Development Communications and Project Management – 25%
Serve as the primary Advancement point of contact with the College’s Marketing and Communications team, ensuring alignment of messaging and brand voice
Lead Advancement communications planning and execution across fundraising, alumni, and industry engagement initiatives
Manage complex, cross-functional communications projects from concept through delivery, including timelines, stakeholder coordination, and outcomes
Oversee the creation of print, digital, and web-based Advancement communications related to annual giving and stewardship.
Volunteer and Board Leadership (FullCircle) – 15%
Provide strategic and operational leadership for the FullCircle Board
Oversee meeting planning, communications, and engagement strategies to maximize volunteer impact
Partner with Advancement leadership to align board activities with fundraising goals and donor pipeline development
Collaborate with alumni and industry engagement colleagues to strengthen volunteer and donor relationships.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or any equivalent combination of training and experience
At least 5 years of experience in annual giving, advancement, or nonprofit fundraising
Demonstrated success executing annual giving programs and donor stewardship initiatives
Experience working with volunteer groups or advisory boards
Working knowledge of donor pipelines, including annual, mid-level, major, and planned giving
Excellent written and oral communication and negotiation skills; ability to translate complex academic, artistic, and technical concepts into language understandable by lay audiences
Experience with Raiser’s Edge or other equivalent Customer Relations Management (CRM) systems
Ability to maintain good working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders related to the ongoing operations of the division, including, donors, volunteers, executive leadership, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni
