Senior Director of Planned Giving

Opt For Healthy Living; Fullerton (CA); On-site; USD 128,340 - 157,356; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans including prescription drug coverage

Dental and vision coverage

Life insurance and disability benefits

Retirement plan through CalPERS

Tuition waiver for employees and dependents

Job summary

Opt For Healthy Living seeks a Senior Director of Planned Giving to manage and expand the planned giving fundraising program at Cal State Fullerton. This individual will lead collaboration efforts with various stakeholders to cultivate donor relationships and secure significant gifts for the university.

The ideal candidate should possess at least five years of successful major giving experience and a CSPG certification, demonstrating capacity to engage potential donors effectively. The role offers compelling challenges in a vibrant academic community and various benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of successful major and planned giving experience.
• Proven track record of securing gifts of at least $500,000.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects.
• Conceptualize and implement a planned giving fundraising program.
• Collaborate with volunteers and development and advancement staff.

Skills

Major and planned giving experience

Effective communication skills

Ability to collaborate

Understanding of higher education environment

Education

Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) certification

Bachelor's degree or higher

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $11,500 - $14,100 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; occasional early morning, evening and/or weekend hours.

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

The department of College and Program Development within the Division of University Advancement generates financial support for Cal State Fullerton, benefiting each of the eight colleges, Student Affairs, Titan Athletics, the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton, and the Pollak Library. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Senior Director of Planned Giving (Administrator II). This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, purpose-driven team and help fuel the next chapter of impact in one of Southern California’s most dynamic communities. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude, an active, energetic mind, and a leadership style that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Director of Planned Giving reports to the Assistant Vice President for College and Program Development. Fundraising activities are consistent with the priorities of the Vice President for University Advancement. Responsibilities include identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of planned giving donors for the university. The Director will manage a portfolio of major and planned giving prospects and will be responsible for conceptualizing, planning, and implementing a growing planned giving fundraising program that generates private support from individuals for campus-wide programs. Provides various reporting and valuation support and works with donors' attorneys, accountants, and other agents, as appropriate, to establish gift agreements and transfer gifts when they mature. This position manages the Ontiveros Legacy Society and related stewardship activity. Works collaboratively with and in support of volunteers, other development and advancement staff, and other university representatives to cultivate and solicit donors for university-wide priorities. Enlists the involvement of faculty, campus executives, and alumni in expanding individual support for the university. Other duties as assigned.

Inclusive Leadership Statement

• What does inclusive leadership mean to you.
• A description of your experiences working with individuals with a different perspective.
• A description of how issues of inclusivity have impacted you personally or professionally.

Essential Qualifications

Possess a minimum of five years of successful major and planned giving experience, with a proven track record of securing gifts of at least $500,000. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively with advancement staff in devising, analyzing, modifying, implementing, and evaluating development programs, as well as directing strategies for the cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with a strong understanding of the higher education environment and the ability to collaborate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders. Must be willing to travel and be proficient in the use of general office equipment, Windows-based personal computers, administrative computing systems, Microsoft Office applications, and other relevant software. A Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) certification is required. Additionally, the successful candidate will possess thorough knowledge of legal, tax, and related aspects of planned giving vehicles, as well as demonstrated development experience within higher education.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, 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 complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

Preferred Qualifications

7-10 years of successful major and planned giving experience.

License/Certifications

A Certified Specialist in Planned Giving (CSPG) certificate. A valid California driver’s license.

Benefits

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible

EEO Statement

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

Conflict of Interest

The scope of responsibilities for this position includes the making or participating in the making of decisions that may have a material financial benefit on the incumbent. Therefore, you will be required to file an initial “Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interests” within thirty (30) days from date of hire and on an annual basis; and complete the CSU sponsored ethics on-line training within thirty (30) days of appointment, and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years following the appointment.

Reporting and Legal Requirements

The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirement outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) position under the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act Crimes reported to them or that they witness. CSA training is required.

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.

Additional Information

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration.

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring any new H-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.

Advertised: Jun 11 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: Jun 25 2026 Pacific Daylight Time