Associate Director of Development for University Advancement (2 Positions)

San José State University; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University is seeking an Associate Director of Development for University Advancement. The role focuses on managing a donor portfolio, developing cultivation strategies, and coordinating with college leadership and university partners to secure philanthropic support.

You will plan and execute solicitations, track progress against annual goals, and support a culture of gratitude through donor stewardship and reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or a combination of education and experience.
• One year of higher education, alumni engagement, development, sales or not for profit experience.

Responsibilities

• Actively manage a prospective donor / donor portfolio with annual goals for personal visits and fundraising outcomes based on established metrics.
• Assist in developing and executing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donor prospects – initiate contact, develop cultivation plans, and move individuals toward solicitation and closure.
• Present and regularly review top prospect strategies to supervisor and team members as appropriate.
• Coordinate with Prospect Research to expand and enhance a prospect pipeline that aligns with priorities.
• Collaborate with college leadership and university administrators and stakeholders.
• Focus on securing funding for designated priorities including academic programs, endowed chairs and professorships, scholarships, and facilities.
• Utilize campus data management system and enter donor contact reports and data timely.
• Prepare donor cultivation and solicitation plans and proposals.
• Participate in staff meetings and development training as feasible.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Portfolio management

Communication

Project management

Tech literacy

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in related field

Tools

Google Suite

Microsoft Office Suite

Fundraising databases

Job description

Job no: 561176
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: San José
Categories: MPP, At-Will, Fundraising & Alumni Relations, Full Time

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Development for University Advancement reports to the Executive Director for Development. The incumbent works with Development and Senior Development officers and assigned college deans to secure philanthropic support. The Associate Director of Development is expected to actively manage a prospect/donor portfolio with annual goals for personal visits and fundraising outcomes based on established metrics; develop and execute sound strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward gift prospects/donors – initiate contact, execute appropriate and timely actions for solicitation and closure; work collaboratively with the leadership of colleges, key university donor-centric cultivation and solicitation strategy; work collaboratively with colleagues in Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Alumni Association and Corporate and Foundation Relations.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively manage a prospective donor / donor portfolio with annual goals for personal visits and fundraising outcomes based on established metrics
• Assist in developing and executing strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward r gift prospective donors / donors – initiate contact, develop appropriate cultivation plans, and move individuals in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure
• Present and regularly review top prospect strategies to immediate supervisor and other key team members as appropriate
• Coordinate with Prospect Research team to expand and enhance a prospect pipeline that aligns with university and campaign priorities
• Work collaboratively with the leadership of the College and units, key university administrators and other stakeholders
• Work collaboratively with colleagues in Annual Giving, Planned Giving, and Corporate and Foundation Relations
• Focus on securing funding for designated priorities including academic programs, endowed chairs and professorships, scholarships, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities and other specified priorities
• Collaborate with stewardship colleagues with donor stewardship efforts particularly pertaining to assigned college/unit/project and help promote a culture of gratitude among internal and external constituents
• Effectively utilize campus data management system and enter prospect/donor contact reports and their relevant data in a timely fashion
• Prepare written donor cultivation and solicitation plans and proposals
• Participate in staff, functional and strategy meetings including prospect review sessions, and attend conferences, seminars, and other development training as feasible and appropriate
• Development officers support fund management and act as an intermediary between the College analysts, Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, Advancement Services and the Tower Foundation

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of, or the ability to develop proficiency in, the appropriate and ethical use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), in higher education and administrative contexts.
• Ability to apply emerging technologies to support operational effectiveness, data-informed decision-making, and service delivery to students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to support continuous improvement and organizational learning through the responsible application of technology within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Ability to evaluate potential applications, promote responsible, ethical, and equitable use, and ensure alignment with institutional policies, regulatory requirements, and strategic priorities
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a collaborative team and skilled in networking
• High level of initiative, attention to detail, and organization skills
• Skilled in successfully managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure in a dynamic and open environment
• Ability to define problems, gather data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Proficient in Google Suite and Microsoft Office Suite and ability to utilize fundraising database programs, and learn new tech platforms for project management
• Excellent customer service skills and public relations
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or a combination of education and experience
• One year of higher education, alumni engagement, development, sales or not for profit experience. This can include student call center experience or comparable sales or outreach experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• SJSU Alum
• Excellent written communication skills
• Higher Education fundraising or similar development experience or familiarity
• Basic understanding of fundraising principals and best practices

Compensation

Classification: Administrator I

Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,694/month - $7,350/month

CSU Salary Range: $4,135/month - $12,288/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Contact Information

People and Culture
[e-mail]

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to [e-mail].

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: August 17, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Open until filled