Job Category Fulltime Regular
ExemptOvertimeEligible Exempt
Benefits Eligible Benefit Based
Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.
Job Summary
The purpose of Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) is to foster a thriving and engaged community of support for Caltech. By strengthening and nurturing the community of people who share and support the Institute’s mission and values, we will ensure the Institute receives the necessary resources to achieve our aspirations and advocate for excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship in perpetuity.
Reporting to the Director of Annual Giving Programs, the Associate Director of Annual Giving Content and Communications leads the Caltech Fund’s integrated content and communications strategy across fundraising, stewardship, and donor engagement initiatives. This position oversees content development across multiple channels, including but not limited to direct mail, email, web, social media, SMS, and emerging digital channels. This role will ensure consistency in voice, messaging, and brand standards across all Caltech Fund communications.
The Associate Director of Content and Communications serves as the Caltech Fund’s lead writer and multichannel communications strategist, partnering with colleagues across Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) and the broader campus to translate fundraising priorities into compelling donor, student, and campus stories and communications. Working collaboratively with campus partners, stakeholders, and creative freelancers, this role manages concurrent communication initiatives, guiding projects from concept through production while ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality communications that advance fundraising goals and institutional priorities.
Essential Job Duties
- Write, edit, and produce original written content for Annual Giving fundraising, stewardship, and engagement campaigns, translating fundraising strategies into compelling donor communications across print and digital channels.
- Develop and oversee comprehensive multichannel content marketing and communications strategies that drive revenue growth and support the Caltech Fund’s fundraising, stewardship, and donor engagement goals.
- Develop and manage the Caltech Fund’s messaging strategy, ensuring consistency in voice, messaging, editorial standards, and brand across all fundraising communications.
- Own the development and production schedules of Caltech Fund fundraising and stewardship communications, including but not limited to direct mail appeals, email campaigns, website content, social media, SMS, and other donor-facing communications.
- Manage multiple simultaneous communication campaign schedules against hard deadlines with specific audience goals and objectives.
- Partner with the Annual Giving Specialist to identify, interview, track, and create compelling stories sourced from the work of Caltech’s students, faculty, and campus community.
- Develop and implement new digital engagement tools and strategies while managing the Caltech Fund’s website content, social media presence, SMS, and other digital communication channels.
- Partner with the Associate Director of Annual Giving Data, Reporting, and Analytics to analyze campaign performance and engagement metrics and recommend improvements to communications strategy and donor engagement.
- Collaborate with colleagues across Advancement and Alumni Relations (AAR) and the broader Institute to identify communications opportunities, source donor and student stories, coordinate messaging, and support integrated fundraising initiatives.
- Identify and recommend industry trends, best practices, and performance-driven improvements to strengthen fundraising solicitations and donor engagement.
- Manage relationships with freelance graphic designers, writers, photographers, and other creative contractors, including coordinating deliverable, maintaining quality standards, and ensuring projects remain on schedule.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent related work.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, content strategy, marketing, public relations, or related fields, with demonstrated success. developing integrated, multi-channel communications.
- Demonstrated experience leading integrated communications strategies and multi-channel campaigns.
- Exceptional writing, editing, and project management skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
- Working knowledge of Adobe applications, especially Acrobat, InDesign, and Photoshop.
- Enthusiasm, passion, and curiosity about higher education development and nonprofit fundraising.
- Authentic curiosity about science and technology.
- Demonstrate the ability to practice and adhere to AAR’s Guiding Principles.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in an annual giving, advancement, or a comparable nonprofit fundraising environment, including the development and production of print communications such as direct mail solicitations and brochures
- Experience developing integrated fundraising communications and donor engagement strategies within higher education advancement or a comparable nonprofit fundraising environment.
- Experience in fundraising communications, annual giving campaigns, donor engagement strategies, or nonprofit storytelling.
- Experience with project management software (such as Smart Sheet, Asana, Monday, Workfront, Basecamp, or equivalent tools).
- Experience managing content and communications freelancers or cross-functional project teams.
Required Documents
- Resume.
- Cover Letter.
Hiring Range
$100,700 - $137,500 per year
The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.
As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.