Director of Development, Athletics

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona; Pomona (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Cal Poly Pomona seeks a Program-Based Development Officer in the Division of University Advancement. The role leads athletics fundraising, develops strategies, and manages a large portfolio of major gift prospects to align donor interests with campus priorities.

Responsibilities include proposal development, donor briefings, and coordinating with campus partners. Strong communication and confidentiality are essential in this senior fundraising position.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Five to seven years of major gift fundraising experience with a track record of soliciting and stewarding gifts.
• Experience managing a portfolio and building long-term donor relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead Athletics fundraising strategies and initiatives.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts (typically $25,000+).
• Manage portfolio of 125+ major gift prospects and meet fundraising goals.
• Develop donor proposals, briefs, and maintain records in donor management systems.
• Represent University Advancement and Athletics at donor and campus events.

Skills

Major gifts

Portfolio management

Donor engagement

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Donor CRM systems

Fundraising software

Job description

Job no: 561127
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Pomona
Categories: MPP, At-Will, Fundraising & Alumni Relations, Full Time

Type of Appointment: Full-Time, At-Will

Job Classification: Administrator II

Anticipated Hiring Range:$100,000-$115,008 annually (Commensurate with skills and qualifications)

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, unless otherwise notified

Recruitment Closing Date: September 7, 2026

THE DEPARTMENT:

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. Under the telework policy it is understood that your physical presence may be required on individual scheduled remote days based on the needs of the campus, division, department, or request of your HEERA Manager.

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

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.

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California. The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. For more information, go to the California State University Out-of-State Employment Policy.

Background Check

Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment to final job candidates, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any information that the applicant submits for consideration regarding the criminal conviction history such as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. For more information, go to the California State University Background Check Policy.

Education Code 89521 Requirements

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

CSU Classification Salary Range

This position is part of the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) unit M80. The CSU Classification Standards for this position are located on the CSU Classification Standards website. The CSU Salary Schedule is located on the CSU Salary Schedule website. Please refer to the anticipated hiring range for the appropriate salary rate for this particular position.

Employment Eligibility Verification

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. For more information, go the I-9 Acceptable Documents website.

University Driving Requirement

Positions that require driving for university business by using a personal or state vehicle must comply with the Authorized University Driver Policy. Driving records are monitored and evaluated by the Risk Management Department. The Risk Management Department evaluates a good driving report based on the following criteria. The driver must: 1. Have a valid California or other State Driver’s license. 2. Have no more than 3 motor vehicle violations or been the cause of 3 accidents in a 12-month period (or any combination of 3 thereof) 3. Not have more than 3 DMV Points, if their license is Class C or, 4. Not have more than 5 DMV Points, if their license is Class A, B, or C with endorsements. For more information, go to the Authorized University Driver Policy.

Conflict of Interest

This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file financial interest disclosure forms subject to state regulations. For more information, go to the Conflict of Interest policy.

Outside Employment Disclosure

Executive and Management Plan Personnel employees must disclose all current outside employment at the time of hire as a precondition of hire and at the following times after hire: annually in July, within 30 days of accepting outside employment, and upon their manager’s request. For more information, go to the Outside Employment Disclosure policy.

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Read more at the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act policy.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. For more information, see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision poster.

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at [e-mail]. For more information, go to Employment Notices.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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