Job Summary The Associate Director of External Communications reports to the Senior Director of External Communications and assists the University Development & Alumni Engagement (UDAE) unit in establishing and achieving the goals and objectives of the Department of External Communications. The incumbent provides day-to-day leadership and operational management for the External Communications team, overseeing the development and execution of strategic communications that advance fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, and university brand objectives.
Incumbent works independently to manage the department's day-to-day workflow and production, including project intake, resource allocation, editorial planning, and the external communications calendar to ensure timely, coordinated communications across all external channels. The incumbent also serves as a key advisor to the Senior Director on staff development, and operational improvements while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented team culture focused on continuous improvement.
Department Summary The role of the University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) Division is to foster strong relationships with external partners while enhancing support for Cal Poly. University Development and Alumni Engagement does this by implementing an overall advancement program that includes alumni and parent engagement, community outreach, coordinated fundraising efforts, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, training and systems support for the donor database, and Cal Poly Foundation support and administration.
Key Qualifications - Working knowledge of standard theories, principles, practices, and techniques in fundraising, marketing, planned giving, or a related professional field, preferably within a higher education or complex, dynamic environment.
- Ability to independently research, develop, and draft comprehensive funding proposals, reports, and external communications.
- Ability to actively contribute to the execution and evaluation of complex fundraising programs, demonstrating ingenuity in determining methods to achieve programmatic and development goals.
- Skill in the research, development, and evaluation of programs, including the ability to analyze complex data and information from a variety of sources, develop sound conclusions, and recommend strategic solutions.
- Working knowledge of operational and fiscal analysis, including the ability to apply principles of accounting, fund management, and budgeting to support university development operations (rather than standard clerical record-keeping).
- Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to university development, with the ability to independently interpret, communicate, and apply them.
Education and Experience - Bachelor's Degree and three years of progressively responsible professional experience in development, fundraising, donor relations, marketing, planned giving or other related professional experience with one year being direct fundraising experience.
- Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:
- Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one by date of hire.
Salary and Benefits The anticipated hiring range for this role is $85,000 - $100,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.
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 agreements (when applicable).
Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.
Cal Poly Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 22,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Solano County to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities, maritime and the built environment. Cal Poly's hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit www.calpoly.edu .
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Advertised: Sep 17 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: 
