About Doheny Eye Institute 

For nearly 75 years, Doheny Eye Institute has been at the forefront of vision science. From seeking new ways to free blockages that prevent fluid drainage in glaucoma, to replacing retinal cells in age-related macular degeneration, to providing colleagues worldwide with standardized analyses of anatomical changes in the eyes of patients, Doheny clinicians and scientists are changing how people see—and also how they think about the future of vision.

Doheny Eye Institute and UCLA Stein Eye Institute offer the best inpatient care, vision research and education. US News & World Report continues to rank us among the top five ophthalmology programs in the nation. This distinction is based on the advanced research and clinical expertise of Doheny scientists and physicians.

Position Summary 

Reporting to the Director of Special Initiatives & Donor Affinity, the Associate Director of Development for Leadership Annual Giving, will foster a culture of philanthropy that utilizes cultivation, stewardship, and strategies that motivate lifelong giving to build the pipeline of major gift donors. In addition to directing a comprehensive annual giving program, they will be the point-person for donor appreciation and recognition activities that strengthen the relationship among the supporter base and Doheny Eye Institute (“DEI”).

A key aspect of this position requires personally working with donors and securing gifts. The Associate Director will maintain a portfolio of current donors and prospects to raise renewable unrestricted support. The Associate Director will serve as a project manager and editor and/or principal writer for a wide variety of print and electronic projects, including direct mail and email solicitations, brochures, alumni membership annual campaign-related promotional materials and appeals, and upkeep of development web pages. The focus in all parts will be on upgrading current donors, increasing number of donors, and broadening the base of support.

Essential Functions: 

Portfolio Management: (50%)

• Responsible for personal portfolio management of 200 lead annual giving donors and prospects with capacity to make an annual gift of $1,000 – $24,999 utilizing the appropriate solicitors, cultivation techniques, appropriate request amounts, stewardship, and research.
• Initiates contacts with annual giving donors, on average twelve to fifteen solicitations per month.
• Develops clear and focused annual and monthly objectives and goals that are set based on proven strategies to support the annual giving calendar.
• Develops and utilizes annual giving and prospect cultivation strategies to move assigned donors an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure. Uses Raiser’s Edge to track, solicit, and report on all prospects.

Integrated Annual Giving: (30%)

• Plans and executes a comprehensive annual campaign to retain and upgrade existing donors, as well as leads efforts to identify and secure new donors with the aim of increasing both total funding and number of donors.
• Maximizes giving program infrastructure including outbound programs (direct mail, digital campaigns, and email) and inbound programs (websites and giving forms) to create, implement, and produce Doheny’s annual appeals and mass solicitations utilizing a multi-channel, integrated approach coordinated with specific development communications and DEI branding and marketing objectives.
• Enhances the use of digital marketing (e.g., email, websites, social media) and analytics (e.g., predictive modeling, social media data mining) to improve segmentation and messaging.
• Maintains the departmental calendar of annual solicitations.
• Collaborates with key internal and external institutional partners from ideation to completion; confers with appropriate department heads, staff, and vendors as needed.
• Coordinates with contract vendors on annual appeal-related activities, including direct mail, e-solicitations, and donor recognition materials.

Donor Relations: (20%)

• Manages and implements stewardship activities, using print and electronic vehicles, designed to recognize and encourage current donors including the leadership gift club.
• Works closely with the data staff and institutional marketing team to support the creation and maintenance of communication platforms for the effective dissemination of gift acknowledgments, quarterly progress reports for board committees and senior leadership; donor presentations, internal reports and briefings; attractive recognition pieces; and progress reports for senior managers and board committees.
• Serves as point-person for development events, donor-initiated special projects, and memorial funds as assigned.

Additional Functions (Ongoing): 

• Adhere to the budget.
• Required out-of-town travel less than 10%; regional travel up to 30%.
• Perform all responsibilities in a safe manner in compliance with company safety policies and according to applicable regulations.
• Display courtesy and consideration to patients, guests, physicians, and staff.
• Prioritize and perform multiple projects/tasks, handle changing priorities, meet deadlines/timelines, proactively respond to others in a consistent and timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the development team.
• Maintain confidentiality of all records and information which pertains to patients, physicians, employees, the organization and in related interests.
• Perform special projects or other related work as necessary, required, or requested.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.

Educational Experience, Training (Include Licenses and Professional Activities):   

• Education:
  • High School degree or GED required.
  • Bachelor’s degree required*
  • Master’s Degree preferred
  • * 7 years development and fundraising experience may substitute for the minimum education requirement.

• Experience:
  • 1-3 years’ experience as a development professional.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with the phases and approaches to non-profit annual campaigns, sources of philanthropic support, marketing principles, and data integrity.
  • Practical knowledge utilizing Raiser’s Edge or other donor database software.
  • Minimally implementing, or ideally crafting, integrated, multi-platform marketing campaigns.
• Preferred Characteristics:
  • Ability to set goals strategically and proven record of achieving these goals.
  • Proven ability to work independently and successfully in a collaborative, team-oriented environment and to effectively manage cross-organizational working relationships.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Some evening and weekend work may be required.
  • Creative and strategic thinker.
  • Strong organizational and follow-through skills.
  • Detail-oriented.
  • Excellent project and time management skills; able to prioritize workload to work with stringent deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task work environment often with competing priorities.

Application Procedures 

To apply, please send letters of interest and resumes to Scott Sivley, J.D. at [email protected].