Associate Director of Development, University Advancement

California State University San Marcos; San Marcos (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement (CalPERS)

Tuition waiver

Vacation and sick leave

15 paid holidays

Job summary

California State University San Marcos is seeking an Associate Director of Development to advance fundraising priorities by strategically managing a comprehensive donor pipeline. This role leads the full lifecycle of donor engagement from identification to stewardship, with a strong emphasis on frontline fundraising for gifts in the $5k-$25k+ range.

The position emphasizes data-informed portfolio management, collaboration with internal partners and external stakeholders, and aligns opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in annual giving and major gifts in the $5k-$25k+ range.
• Full lifecycle donor engagement from identification to stewardship.
• Ability to analyze donor trends and portfolio performance.

Responsibilities

• Manage a comprehensive donor pipeline and full lifecycle engagement.
• Lead frontline fundraising across annual and major gifts.
• Apply data-informed strategies to guide portfolio management.
• Collaborate with internal partners and external stakeholders to maximize philanthropy.
• Support the University's mission with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and access.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Communication

Time management

Portfolio management

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Collaboration

Job description

Job Overview

The Associate Director of Development plays a critical role inadvancing the University’s fundraising priorities by strategicallymanaging a comprehensive donor pipeline. This position isresponsible for the full lifecycle of donor engagement includingidentification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, andstewardship activities. It requires exceptional time management andorganizational skills to effectively prioritize and move prospectsthrough each stage while maintaining momentum across a diverseportfolio. Success in this role depends on strong communicationabilities to clearly articulate the University’s mission and impactwhile building trust and meaningful relationships with a broadrange of constituents.

A key focus of the position is frontline fundraising with a specialfocus on gifts requiring demonstrated success across both annualgiving and major giving, in the $5k-$25k+ range. The AssociateDirector applies strategic thinking to assess donor readiness,align opportunities with institutional priorities, and moveprospects thoughtfully from initial engagement to major giftconsideration. This work is grounded in a disciplined approach toplanning and execution, supported by a strong work ethic and acommitment to achieving measurable results that contribute todivisional and university wide fundraising goals.

The role also emphasizes the use of data informed strategies toguide decision making and portfolio management. By analyzing donortrends, engagement metrics, and giving patterns, the AssociateDirector develops targeted approaches that enhance effectivenessand maximize philanthropic outcomes. This analytical mindset,combined with sound judgment and adaptability, ensures that effortsremain focused, efficient, and aligned with evolving institutionalneeds.

Collaboration is central to the success of this position, as theAssociate Director works closely with internal partners andexternal stakeholders to maximize philanthropic opportunities. Theability to effectively engage, influence, and coordinate withcolleagues, donors, and community members is essential to buildinga strong culture of philanthropy. Through these efforts, theAssociate Director advances the University’s mission and upholdsits commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access,fostering an environment where philanthropy supports broad andmeaningful institutional impact.

Position Summary

Associate Director of Development (Administrator I)

This is a full-time, exempt position in the Management PersonnelPlan (MPP). MPP positions serve at the pleasure of thePresident.

For a complete list of responsibilities and requiredqualifications, please review the position description linked atthe top of the page.

Pay, Benefits, and Work Schedule

Anticipated Hiring Salary Range: $7,167 - $7,334 per month

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

Salary is commensurate with the background and experience of theindividual selected.

This position is eligible for a broad range of benefits, includingmedical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances, retirement(CalPERS), tuition waiver, vacation and sick leave. In addition, 15paid holidays are offered each year; 14 scheduled on specific daysand a Personal Holiday that may be taken any time during the year.

A comprehensive benefits summary for this position is availableonline by visiting our Benefits Portal . The CSU Total CompensationCalculator demonstrates the significance of the benefitspackage.

California State University San Marcos

A mid-size university located in San Diego's vibrant North County,we are dedicated to service, innovation, leadership and studentsuccess. We have an attentive faculty and state-of-the-artfacilities which offer our students hundreds of opportunities tolearn, lead, play and serve.

California State University San Marcos is a new kind of university,pushing the boundaries of innovation to prepare tomorrow's leaders,build stronger communities and solve pressing issues.

Cutting-edge research meets hands-on application at our campus andin the real world.

Application Process

Applicants who require an accommodation during the application or testing process due to a disability recognized under the Americanswith Disabilities Act (ADA)/CA Fair Employment and Housing Act(FEHA) should notify the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or e-mail: [e-mail].

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactorycompletion of a background check (including criminal records check)is required prior to beginning employment. Any offer of employmentrescinded if the background check reveals disqualifyinginformation, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowinglywithheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorilycomplete the background check may affect the continued employmentof a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered theposition.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandatedreporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect ReportingAct and is required to comply with the requirements set forth inCSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition ofemployment.

This position is a \"designated position\" in the California StateUniversity's Conflict of Interest Code. The incumbent in thisposition is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject tothe regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.

California State University San Marcos is an Equal OpportunityEmployer. We consider qualified applicants for employment withoutregard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex,genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, maritalstatus, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religionor religious creed, sexual orientation, and veteran or militarystatus.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and CampusCrime Statistics Act or Clery Act Notification can be found at https://www.csusm.edu/clery/annualreports.html.

Pursuant to the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy, as of January1, 2022, the California State University is prohibited from hiringemployees to perform CSU-related work outside the state ofCalifornia.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have receiveda final administrative decision or final judicial decisiondetermining that they have committed sexual harassment within thelast 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet theminimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer ofemployment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages ofthe application process must also sign a release form thatauthorizes the release of information by the applicant's currentand/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiatedallegations of misconduct.

California State University San Marcos is not a sponsoring agentfor staff or management positions (i.e. H1-B visas).