Campaign Director

Note: The funding for this position is currently expected to conclude in December, 2028, to align with the University's campaign goals.

The campaign director is the primary driver of campaign activity and timelines, serving as a coordinator for all campaign activities. This role serves as “mission control center” for campaign operations and execution. Working closely with senior leadership, members of USD’s Board of Trustees, key volunteers, and the campaign consultant, the campaign director supports the implementation and successful completion of a comprehensive fundraising campaign. The campaign director is responsible for researching and deepening the prospective donor pipeline, developing individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies, shaping donor stewardship efforts, and maintaining accurate and up-to-date information on campaign goals, donors, and prospects. As the communication bridge across all departments, this position ensures efficiency and collaboration between development, operations, events, and the various methods of donor outreach and engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Campaign Management    

• Implement the overall campaign plan and timetable, addressing the following key issues: phase activities and goals; volunteer committees; activity and fundraising benchmarks; publicity/marketing plan; campaign budget; donor recognition plan (including preparation of gift naming opportunities); gift acceptance and crediting policies.
• Identify and monitor campaign plan strategies to help keep campaign activity on schedule and on track.
• Assist in any ongoing identification, recruitment and solicitation of campaign volunteer leadership needed during the public phase, including:
  • Developing all background information, briefing memos, tailored prospect proposals, and talking points for gift solicitations;
  • Briefing all solicitors prior to solicitation meetings;
  • Assisting at solicitation meetings whenever necessary;
  • Conducting debriefing meetings following solicitation calls;
  • Discussing and formulating next steps.
• Drive the organization and implementation of specific plans to engage the staff, campaign committees, and volunteers in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of prospective donors.
• Organize and coordinate the activities of the key campaign committees (Campaign Executive Committee, Campaign Subcommittees, staff leadership, and others) to ensure their successful fundraising efforts, including:
  • Preparation of all meeting materials (agendas, talking points, next steps, assignments, prospect rating charts, etc.);
  • Leading orientation and training sessions for campaign volunteers and other appropriate audiences;
  • Developing cultivation and solicitation strategies for key prospective donors (including planned giving strategies) – individual, corporate, and foundation.
• Manage and maintain prospect lists and tracking systems, matrices, and pipeline reports (both for overall donors and for specific committee activity), which would include:
  • Identifying new prospective donors;
  • Assigning target request amounts;
  • Conducting prospect research on all key prospects;
  • Designing cultivation and solicitation strategies;
  • Identifying potential solicitors;
  • Serving as a clearing house for all prospect information;
  • Keeping all information and reports current and updated.
• Interact on a regular basis with AVP, campaign leaders and volunteers regarding prospect assignments, background information and research, pre-solicitation briefings and debriefings, call reports, formulation of next steps, follow-up documentation, and thank you letters.
• Participate in cultivation and request meetings, as appropriate.
• Provide regular updates and reports to AVP, staff, and committee leaders tracking campaign statistics, evaluating progress based on established benchmarks, recommending next steps, and adjusting when necessary.
• Prepare all general campaign correspondence.
• Assist with foundation research and proposal writing.
• Ensure the proper documentation and acknowledgement of all campaign pledges.
• Manage a pledge redemption system and ongoing donor communications/stewardship plan.

Special Conditions of Employment:

Effective June 1, 2023, based on CDC guidance, the University strongly encourages all campus members to stay up to date with Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination recommendations.  For more regarding information USD's COVID-19 protocols, please visit sandiego.edu/onward.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.