Help support the growth and future of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden and its environmental programs! Apply to be an Assistant Director of Development on behalf of the Arboretum and Public Garden, where you can be part of a dynamic, collaborative team committed to "inspiring human potential to help people and environments thrive." UC Davis career employees receive extremely competitive health and retirement benefits including:

• Three weeks vacation at start, holidays and paid sick leave
• One of our state's best pension benefits and a retirement savings program
• An impressive selection of medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• Plus, much more...

LEARN MORE and APPLY by April 16, 2025

WHY WORK with the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden?

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits

Full Position Description

Job summary

The Assistant Director of Development is an experienced professional who has the ability to practice, and/or has knowledge of, the fundraising field, with the ability to apply fundraising theory to the full range of responsibilities of a university development officer. This position analyzes problems/issues of diverse scope, and determines solutions, and plans, schedules, and implements comprehensive fundraising projects and programs for the Arboretum and Public Garden and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; including fundraising programs such as physical upgrades to gardens and community engagement hubs, tribute giving, and strategic initiatives such as the Learning by Leading™ environmental leadership internship program, the UC Davis GATEways Project (Gardens, Arts and The Environment), and the UC Davis Living Landscape Adaptation Plan to create a climate-resilient landscape across the campus. This position will also dedicate time to the philanthropic priorities of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

This position is metric-driven and expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established through an annual business planning process and aligned with the assigned portfolio. This is a fundraising position focused on developing new and fostering established donor relationships. Guided by a “donor centric” approach, the incumbent will strategically solicit gifts and steward existing ones using various communication methods, including in person, video, texting, phone, social media and virtual visits. This position requires good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions, and works independently, collaboratively, and collegially as part of a diverse, matrix organization

Department Overview

Development & Alumni Relations (DEVAR) 

DEVAR provides leadership in building enduring public trust, understanding, and support for UC Davis and its mission of teaching, research, and public service. DEVAR provides leadership, coordination and support services to help the university meet its mission of research, teaching and service by building philanthropic support and executing approved fundraising programs that support the university's highest priorities and initiatives.

The Arboretum and Public Garden

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden (APG) is a front door to UC Davis and provides a vibrant and important connection between the campus and the greater regional community. APG’s purpose is to “inspire human potential to help people and environments thrive.” 

APG has been widely recognized for its distinctive gardens and plant collections, award-winning student environmental leadership internship program, innovative health and wellness programs, and focus on climate-ready sustainable gardening education. It is the people who are the catalyst for APG’s success, including the highly collaborative staff team, a large and dedicated community volunteer corps, amazing student leadership interns, and a loyal base of members and community supporters.

College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Ranked #1 nationally and #2 in the world- for agricultural sciences and forestry (QS World University Rankings) UC Davis’ College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) impact lies at the nexus of climate, food, human and animal health. Across three divisions of interdisciplinary focus- Agricultural, Environmental and Human and Social Sciences, our students, faculty, and staff are working to support healthy, equitable, and vibrant communities; ensure secure, safe, and high-quality food for the world’s population, while maintaining biological diversity in ecosystems essential for global sustainability. The CA&ES Development Team supports this work by generating philanthropy centered on mission critical priorities across research, teaching, and public outreach.

90% - Strategic Fundraising for the Arboretum and Public Garden, and for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 

• This position serves as a development professional responsible for generating philanthropic gifts. The incumbent builds and manages an active prospect portfolio of donors. Guided by a “donor centric” approach, the incumbent will build relationships and strategically solicit gifts using various communication methods, including in person, video, texting, phone, social media and virtual visits, and may involve travel to secure meetings with donors and prospective donors.
• This position cultivates relationships through purposeful engagement and strategically moves prospects toward gift decisions, which requires the development and presentation of a compelling case for support that is effectively articulated to donors. The incumbent is expected to build new donor relationships and steward existing ones.
• This position requires good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions, and works independently, collaboratively, and collegially as part of a diverse, matrix organization. 
• This position is metric-driven and expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established through an annual business planning process and aligned with the assigned portfolio. The incumbent is expected to ensure that predetermined fundraising goals are met.
• Fundraisers are expected to conceive, write, and edit fundraising presentations and proposals to support program priorities, in addition to necessary case statements and project-specific documents. The incumbent is expected to prepare reports and documentation related to development efforts as needed, and is required to utilize the University’s database (AIS) to manage donor records in accordance with university and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations policies, operating procedures, and practices. As part of this process, the incumbent is required to comply with and utilizes the services and systems of the UC Davis Development Prospect Management System (PMATS) and the Advance database and is expected to prepare and submit timely contact reports.
• Work in coordination with the Assistant Dean of Advancement for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences to execute strategies for gifts at the major gift level, in coordination with APG leadership.
• The fundraising portfolio will reflect the fundraising priorities of the Arboretum and Public Garden, and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CA&ES) as outlined in a yearly business plan, including any joint fundraising priorities in partnership with the CA&ES fundraising teams.
  • Arboretum and Public Garden = 80% portfolio
  • College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences = 20% portfolio
• There are also many synergistic opportunities for joint fundraising priorities that this position would be encouraged to explore in partnership with the other members of the CA&ES and fundraising teams.
• This position requires excellent communication across all levels of the organization that is collegial, collaborative, and in alignment with the UC Davis Principles of Community.

10% - Development Operations, Planning and Executions 

• This position develops strategies within existing policy guidelines. Participates in short and long-range strategic planning.
• This position may collaborate with University Development to strategize and execute annual solicitation messaging to constituents for direct mail pieces, email solicitations, and stewardship videos. 
• This position has direct interaction with alumni and donors. The incumbent may recruit, train, and support key volunteers who assist in advancement efforts. The incumbent is expected to design, organize, implement and participate in development-oriented events which contribute toward relationship building and the solicitation of major gifts.
• Develops relationships and trust with Arboretum and Public Garden and College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty and staff. 
• Focuses on identifying and qualifying new donors and qualifying annual donors for continued engagement.
• Under direction from the Assistant Dean of Advancement works effectively with volunteers, donors and prospects as well as with their legal and financial advisors, university colleagues, volunteers and senior leadership. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications                          

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience demonstrated through 1 or more years of professional or volunteer fundraising experience; or equivalent transferable professional experience including strategic relationship development and portfolio management; or equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain good working relationships at all organizational levels and with outside constituencies, including donors and volunteers, to develop collaborative working relationships needed to accomplish organizational goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Awareness, knowledge, and skill in applying diversity, equity and inclusion to one’s work. A profound belief in the value of a diverse and safe workforce and a commitment to achieve this goal through collaboration and team building, working cooperatively with a diverse group of department and campus constituencies.

Work Environment

Physical Demands

• Occasional (up to 3 hours): standing, walking, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, twisting, reaching overhead, and moving items weighing up to 25 pounds
• Frequent (3 to 6 hours): sitting, keyboard use, and repetitive motions

Mental Demands

• Frequent (3 to 6 hours): sustained attention and concentration; complex problem solving/reasoning; ability to organize & prioritize; communication skills; numerical skills; constant interaction; customer contact; multiple concurrent 

Special Requirements

• Valid California driver's license to attend meetings, conferences and other special events.
• Work flexible schedule including evenings and weekends to meet operational needs.
• UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.
• Background Check: This position is a critical position and subject to a background check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background investigation including criminal history and identity checks.
• The division of Development and Alumni Relations (DEVAR) and the Arboretum & Public Garden embrace(s) and value(s) diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We are committed to employing and retaining a diverse workforce and have programs and policies in place to ensure all employees can succeed regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender expression, gender identity, gender transition status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship or service in the uniformed services, including protected veterans.  In acknowledgment of historical and current injustices faced by marginalized members of our global UC Davis community, we are firmly committed to supporting our Principles of Community and applying tenets of diversity, equity, and inclusion into every aspect of our everyday work and organizational culture.

LEARN MORE and APPLY by April 16

WHY WORK with the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden?

EXPLORE UC Davis' Competitive HEALTH and RETIREMENT Benefits