University of the Pacific invites nominations and applications for the position of Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving.


University of the Pacific

University of the Pacific is a nationally ranked comprehensive university and California's first chartered institution of higher learning. Established in 1851, Pacific has nearly 6,300 students and ten schools and colleges across three campuses in northern California.

The majority of students and the NCAA Division 1 athletics program are based on the Stockton Campus, often cited as one of the nation's most beautiful college campuses. The Sacramento Campus in California's state capital is home to the McGeorge School of Law, the new School of Health Sciences and an array of graduate programs, while the renowned Dugoni School of Dentistry is based on the downtown San Francisco Campus. 

Pacific takes pride in providing the highly personalized and caring educational, social and residential environments of a small college combined with the choices and opportunities of a major comprehensive university.


About the Role


Primary Purpose

The Associate Vice President of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving provides strategic leadership and management of a university-wide alumni engagement and annual giving program to support the university’s mission and institutional priorities. The AVP will establish and foster lifelong connections and loyalty among alumni in order to develop a culture of engagement and philanthropy with the University of the Pacific.


Essential Functions

  • Leads and implements effective alumni programming that fosters a culture of engagement and pride among alumni, students, the campus community and other key stakeholders.
  • Oversees the annual giving team that is responsible for securing philanthropic support for schools/units and strategic initiatives. Ensures annual giving goals are met and plans are in place to increase fundraising results each year.
  • Collaborates with the University leadership, deans and faculty to develop alumni programming and annual giving plans to support academic and university priorities. Ensures that deans, faculty, staff and students are developing meaningful connections with alumni.
  • Builds and oversees a nationwide alumni club structure in geographic markets with large concentrations of alumni to maintain connections with the university and among alumni.
  • Provides leadership for the Pacific Alumni Association board of directors and its programs. Ensures the work of the board is in alignment with the university’s goals and priorities.
  • Engages alumni leaders in meaningful volunteer roles on and off campus. Ensures continuity, diversity and capability in the volunteer pipeline.
  • Partners closely with the strategic communications and development communications teams to create and execute a plan to effectively communicate with alumni and donors through a variety of channels.
  • Leads university-wide alumni events, including Homecoming and Family Weekend and reunions.
  • Supervises and motivates staff as well as ensures each member has well-defined and measurable goals.
  • Reports directly to the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations and is a member of the division’s leadership team.
  • Performs other related duties as requested or assigned.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Five (5) years of administrative and/or leadership experience.
  • Seven (7) years of progressive experience in alumni relations and development in higher education or not for profit organizations. 


Preferred Qualifications

  • Thorough knowledge of principles of practice and methods for the operation of a successful alumni and annual giving program.
  • Demonstrated team-building and management skills.
  • Excellent written, oral and interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to foster productive relationships with volunteers and develop volunteer leadership.
  • Ability to thrive in a team environment to achieve institutional goals.
  • Experience applying CASE standards for Alumni Relations in daily work.
  • Positive attitude, proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance equity, diversity and inclusion.


Learn more


Prospectus