Director of Development, Athletics

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CalPERS pension

PTO 24 days per year

14 paid holidays

Tuition waiver

Insurance (life/AD&D)

Job summary

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is seeking a Program-Based Development Officer in University Advancement. You will lead athletics fundraising, cultivate and solicit major gifts, and manage a large donor portfolio while coordinating with campus partners to align donor interests with institutional priorities.

The role requires a proven track record in major gift fundraising, strong proposal and presentation skills, and the ability to maintain confidential donor information with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Five to seven years of major gift fundraising experience with a track record of identifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding gifts.
• Experience managing an active portfolio of prospects and building long-term donor relationships.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, donor engagement, and stewardship practices.
• Ability to analyze fundraising data and present it clearly to leadership.
• Experience using donor/constituent relationship management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead Athletics fundraising and develop/implement comprehensive strategies.
• Identify, qualify, solicit, close, and steward major gifts, with emphasis on $25,000+.
• Manage an active portfolio of 125+ major gift prospects and meet fundraising targets.
• Prepare donor proposals, briefings, and activity documentation in the donor database.
• Collaborate with Athletics leadership, coaches, and campus partners to align giving with priorities.
• Represent University Advancement and Athletics at donor meetings and events.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor engagement

Portfolio management

Proposal writing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

The Division of University Advancement is one of five central divisions of the university whose primary purpose is to enhance the private support and knowledge of the university. This is accomplished by initiating programs, events and activities that stimulate the involvement and interest of alumni, friends, parents, corporations and foundations to develop relationships that will foster and stimulate giving to the university. The office the Vice President of University Advancement oversees the offices of development, alumni and external relations, advancement services, annual giving and government and external affairs. The division manages and operates the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundations which serves as the official entity to receive and manage all contributions to the University.

Duties And Responsibilities

Program-Based Development Officer

• Serves as the lead Advancement professional for Athletics fundraising and develops, implements, and evaluates comprehensive fundraising strategies in support of Athletics and University priorities.
• Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, closes, and stewards individual, corporate, foundation, planned, and principal gift prospects, with primary emphasis on gifts of $25,000 and above.
• Manages an active portfolio of approximately 125 or more major gift prospects and is accountable for annual fundraising, visit, solicitation, proposal, and stewardship goals.
• Develops written prospect strategies, prepares donor proposals and briefings, documents activity in the University's donor database, and coordinates next steps with appropriate campus partners. Partners with the Director of Athletics, Athletics leadership, coaches, University Advancement leadership, the Philanthropic Foundation, and other campus stakeholders to identify funding priorities, develop compelling gift opportunities, and align donor interests with institutional priorities.
• Provides advancement-related guidance to Athletics partners regarding donor engagement, fundraising timelines, stewardship expectations, and coordinated prospect strategy.
• Represents University Advancement and Athletics at donor meetings, alumni activities, community events, Athletics events, and campus functions. Exercises independent judgment in managing confidential donor and institutional information, prioritizing complex donor engagement activities, and advancing strategies that support philanthropic outcomes.
• Recommends improvements to fundraising strategies, donor engagement practices, stewardship activities, and related advancement processes based on portfolio activity, donor feedback, campaign priorities, and fundraising outcomes.

University Advancement Leadership and Professional Responsibilities

• Participates as a member of the University Advancement team by contributing to divisional planning, goal setting, professional development, and cross-functional initiatives that support the University's philanthropic priorities. Uses the University's donor and prospect management systems to document contacts, update prospect strategies, track proposals, maintain accurate records, and support coordinated fundraising activity across University Advancement. Ensures fundraising activities are conducted in accordance with applicable University, CSU, Philanthropic Foundation, IRS, CASE, NCAA, CCAA, and campus policies, procedures, ethical standards, and reporting expectations. Maintains professional relationships with donors, alumni, volunteers, campus partners, Athletics personnel, and external constituents. Represents Cal Poly Pomona, University Advancement, and Athletics with professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned that are consistent with the purpose, scope, and classification of the position

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree - from an accredited college or university.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in major gift fundraising, advancement, development, or business development, with a demonstrated track record of identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, closing, and stewarding major gifts or comparable business opportunities.
• Experience managing an active portfolio or pipeline of prospects and successfully building long-term relationships that result in philanthropic investments, strategic partnerships, or new business opportunities is required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage an active portfolio or pipeline of prospects and to build long-term relationships that result in philanthropic investments, strategic partnerships, or comparable outcomes.
• Working knowledge of fundraising principles, donor engagement strategies, prospect management practices, stewardship practices, and related financial concepts.
• Ability to analyze and present fundraising information through reports, charts, graphs, presentations, proposals, briefings, impact reports, and other executive-level communications.
• Experience using donor or constituent relationship management systems to document activity, manage prospect strategy, maintain donor records, and support fundraising pipelines.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to prepare proposals, gift agreements, donor briefings, impact reports, and other donor-facing communications. Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive donor, personnel, student, financial, and institutional information.
• Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with diverse internal and external constituents, including donors, alumni, volunteers, faculty, staff, coaches, senior leadership, community partners, and external organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting an inclusive and welcoming environment and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and professional backgrounds.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn and apply, University, CSU, Philanthropic Foundation, IRS, CASE, NCAA, CCAA, and campus policies, regulations, ethical standards, and best practices related to fundraising, gift administration, athletics fundraising, and donor stewardship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated major gift fundraising experience in higher education, athletics, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations.
• Experience collaborating with intercollegiate athletics leadership, coaches, donors, sponsors, volunteers, faculty, and staff to identify, develop, and secure philanthropic support for departmental and team priorities.
• Knowledge of NCAA and CCAA rules, regulations, and compliance requirements related to athletics fundraising and donor engagement. Experience planning, implementing, and evaluating fundraising or donor engagement events.
• Experience using Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, CRM Advance, Salesforce, or a similar donor/constituent relationship management system.
• Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Professional fundraising certification, such as Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), or other relevant professional credential.

Benefits and Total Rewards

• Pension plan with CalPERS, and other voluntary savings plans (403(b), 457, 401(k))
• Work-life balance - Accrue 24 PTO days per year, 14 paid Holidays, 1 personal holiday
• Health savings account, life and AD&D coverage, and more
• Tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents
• Auto/homeowners insurance, pet insurance, and pre-paid legal services
• Child and elder care resources
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• And more! Learn about the CSU’s Comprehensive Benefits Package.

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly Pomona provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Pomona complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona complies with the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and requests priority referral of protected veterans for our job openings.

Other Notices

For other important employment notices, we invite you to visit Cal Poly Pomona’s Employment Notices web page.