Executive Director, Development & Alumni Engagement, West Coast

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The Executive Director (ED) is the senior regional leader for Institutional Advancement (IA) on the West Coast. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement, the ED provides the executive presence and operational authority necessary to lead a high-functioning regional team while serving as the primary strategic advancement bridge between the Los Angeles office and the Boston campus. The ED is a frontline fundraiser and is responsible for executing IA strategy for the West Coast. While reporting to the VP, the ED works in constant, close collaboration with the Boston-based leadership and with the Dean of Emerson’s Los Angeles Campus (ELA) to ensure that regional activity in Major Gifts, Annual Giving, and Alumni Relations remains aligned with institutional standards and global campaign goals.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Work closely with Institutional Advancement leadership, as well as college leadership to grow a successful major giving program as well as build a portfolio of international donors residing in the West Coast market and territories as assigned.

• Manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity West Coast prospects, moving them through the stages of identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Working closely with the Boston-based AVP for Alumni Relations, executing strategic alumni engagement events in Los Angeles.

• Design and execute a comprehensive West Coast advancement plan that implements and leverages regional events and alumni networks to feed the Major and Principal Gift pipelines.

• Ensure that donors are well-informed, acknowledged in meaningful ways, and appreciated in an appropriate manner throughout the year

• Maintain direct supervisory authority over Los Angeles-based IA staff.

• Manage the Los Angeles IA budget and oversee daily office operations to ensure a consistent and professional Emerson presence on the West Coast.

• Partner closely with Emerson’s Boston-based leadership to ensure regional programs (Annual Fund, Alumni Events, etc.) adhere to global branding, data standards, and strategic objectives.

• Serve as the chief IA representative to the Emerson LA (ELA) Dean and local campus leadership, ensuring advancement activity supports the specific needs of the LA program.

QUALIFICATIONS – Qualifications are deemed required or preferred and represent what is needed to effectively perform job.

• Bachelor’s degree in Nonprofit Management, Arts Administration, Business, or a related field or equivalent experience required; Master’s degree preferred.

• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in development, alumni relations, or nonprofit management, with a proven track record of managing multi-disciplinary teams.

• Must possess confidence, authority, and "entertainment-industry IQ" necessary to engage with high-net-worth individuals and top-tier executives required. This includes a mastery of Los Angeles’ professional landscape and the ability to pivot seamlessly between academic and industry environments.

• Demonstrated success in closing major gifts and navigating complex donor landscapes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES – May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills, and abilities commonly associated with the job. 

• Ability to represent the VP and the College to high-level donors, industry leaders, and ELA leadership with confidence and authority.

• Masterful written and oral communication skills, characterized by a commitment to proactive transparency. The ED must prioritize the frequent and timely flow of information back to the VP and Boston-based AVPs, ensuring that "field intelligence" is documented in the CRM and leadership maintains situational awareness of West Coast developments.

• Exceptional ability to work within a matrixed organization, balancing a direct reporting line to the VP with the need for deep, functional collaboration with Boston-based department heads.

• Strong skills in budget management, staff coaching, and project management.

• Professional experience working and/or fundraising in communication, arts, media, or equivalent fields preferred.

• Strong understanding and experience on the application of AI tools for fundraising and relationship management preferred.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES – Activities commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to attend and lead regional events, which may include evening and weekend commitments.

• Based in Los Angeles; requires significant local travel for donor visits and periodic travel to the Boston campus for leadership meetings and campaign planning.

WORK ENVIRONMENT – Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

• Usual office conditions

IN-OFFICE EXPECTATIONS

This position is primarily a hybrid role with expected days in the office each week.

The hybrid arrangement will be made upon hire. Candidates must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the Boston campus to ensure operational effectiveness. This arrangement must be approved as outlined in the Remote Work Policy.

Compensation: $131,900.00 - $168,200.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

 

Grade of Position: 23-14E

Employment Category: Regular

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Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36.25

In addition to a competitive salary, Emerson College is committed to the health and well-being of our employees and family members. We offer a generous benefits package to regular staff scheduled to work 20+ hours per week. 

Emerson Employment Categories influence work schedules, benefits eligibility, and time off policies. Benefits include outstanding health plans with limited out-of-pocket expenses, dental plans, generous time-off programs, and a 403(b) retirement benefit with a 9% employer contribution once eligible. Additional benefits, such as life and disability coverage and commuter offerings, are available.

Please refer to our benefits website for a full list of benefits and eligibility requirements.