Senior Associate AD, Development - Search Firm

CSU; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Health Insurance

Retirement Plans

Tuition fee waiver

Job summary

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) seeks a Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development to lead the athletics philanthropy program, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $50,000+ and principal gifts of $1 million+.

You’ll report to the Executive Director of Athletics and guide annual and planned giving initiatives while building relationships with donors and partners.

Qualifications

• Experience leading philanthropy programs within higher education or athletics.
• Ability to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts.

Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management, Major Gift Fundraising, and Donor Engagement: Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, with a focus on securing major gifts of $50,000+ and principal gifts of $1 million+.
• Administration, Management, and Execution of the Athletics Development Program: Provide strategic leadership for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the athletics development program, including fundraising strategy, annual and planned giving, campaign initiatives, budgeting, donor engagement, and the supervision and performance management of athletics development staff to achieve departmental fundraising goals.
• Campus Collaboration: Serve as the primary liaison between Long Beach State Athletics and University Relations and Development, collaborating with campus partners to align fundraising strategies, coordinate donor engagement, and advance campus philanthropic priorities.
• Serve on the Executive Director of Athletics’ Senior Staff to plan, implement, support, manage, and evaluate overall goals and objectives of the Long Beach State Department of Athletics.
• Serve as Sport Supervisor: Provide oversight and leadership to assigned sports programs, ensuring adherence to NCAA, conference, and institutional rules while guiding overall program development and team performance.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Portfolio management

Donor relations

Leadership

Job description

Join the vibrant community at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)!

Located just three miles from the Pacific Ocean, CSULB offers an inspiring workplace and an exceptional Southern California lifestyle. Our 322-acre campus—one of the largest in the CSU system—serves more than 42,000 students and is known for its commitment to student success, innovation, and impactful academic and research initiatives.

As a member of the CSULB community, you’ll experience a dynamic environment filled with cultural landmarks, collaborative energy, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Work-life balance thrives here. Long Beach blends coastal relaxation with urban vibrancy, offering miles of beaches, year-round sunshine, a thriving arts and food scene, and convenient access to both Los Angeles and Orange County. It’s an ideal place to grow your career while enjoying everything Southern California has to offer.

Join the California State University (CSU) and explore career opportunities that advance student success and strengthen California’s future—offering competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth.

Job Summary

The Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development serves as the department's chief athletics development officer and a member of the Executive Director of Athletics' senior leadership team, providing strategic leadership for the planning, execution, and growth of Long Beach State Athletics' comprehensive philanthropic program. This position is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding prospect, with a focus on securing major gifts of $50,000+ and principal gifts of $1 million+. In addition, the incumbent provides strategic oversight of annual giving and planned giving initiatives while fostering meaningful relationships with donors, alumni, corporate partners, and community stakeholders.

Working collaboratively with the Executive Director of Athletics, University Relations and Development, campus leadership, coaches, and external constituents, this position advances the department's strategic priorities by leading athletics development operations, supervising development personnel, supporting assigned sport programs, ensuring responsible stewardship of philanthropic resources, and promoting a culture of compliance, service, and excellence in support of Long Beach State Athletics and its student‑athletes.

Key Responsibilities

• Portfolio Management, Major Gift Fundraising, and Donor Engagement: Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors, with a focus on securing major gifts of $50,000+ and principal gifts of $1 million+.
• Administration, Management, and Execution of the Athletics Development Program: Provide strategic leadership for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the athletics development program, including fundraising strategy, annual and planned giving, campaign initiatives, budgeting, donor engagement, and the supervision and performance management of athletics development staff to achieve departmental fundraising goals.
• Campus Collaboration: Serve as the primary liaison between Long Beach State Athletics and University Relations and Development, collaborating with campus partners to align fundraising strategies, coordinate donor engagement, and advance campus philanthropic priorities.
• Serve on the Executive Director of Athletics’ Senior Staff to plan, implement, support, manage, and evaluate overall goals and objectives of the Long Beach State Department of Athletics.
• Serve as Sport Supervisor: Provide oversight and leadership to assigned sports programs, ensuring adherence to NCAA, conference, and institutional rules while guiding overall program development and team performance.

Department

University Development

Duration of Appointment

This is a regular, at-will position.

Classification

Administrator II

Compensation

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

• CSU MPP Compensation Summary Range: The MPP Comp Summary Range for this position is $10,069 - $15,104 per month

Benefits

At California State University (CSU), we prioritize the health, growth, and success of our employees. Our benefits program reflects our commitment to your overall well‑being.

To be eligible for full benefits, employees must be appointed at least half-time (.50 FTE) with an appointment lasting more than six months and one day. Benefits eligibility and offerings may vary based on appointment type, classification, and applicable collective bargaining agreement. Eligible employees may have access to a comprehensive benefits package that can include:

• Paid Time Off: Up to 24 vacation days per year (based on employee group and/or length of service), 14 paid holidays, and 12 sick days annually with unlimited accrual.
• Health Coverage: A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement Plans: Participation in the CalPERS defined benefit plan, along with voluntary savings options such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457 plans.
• Educational Benefits: Tuition fee waiver programs for eligible employees; dependent eligibility varies by employee group and bargaining unit.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services for employees and their families.
• Additional Benefits: Wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and insurance options including life, disability, and pet insurance.

Candidates are encouraged to review the appropriate CSU Employee Benefits Summary for details specific to their position. Additionally