Director of Development for Athletics

Cal Poly Athletics is committed to providing broad-based, high-quality and competitive NCAA Division I athletic programs that afford student-athletes opportunities to take advantage of the university’s unique Learn by Doing philosophy. The role supports the University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) Division, which fosters strong relationships with external partners to enhance support for Cal Poly through alumni and parent engagement, community outreach, coordinated fundraising efforts, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, and Cal Poly Foundation support.

About the role

The Director of Development for Athletics will cultivate and solicit former student athletes, coaches, alumni, parents, friends, community members, foundations, and corporations for contributions. The incumbent will participate in a comprehensive college-based development program by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts while complying with university policies and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a personal portfolio of prospective annual and major gift prospects/donors, maintaining confidentiality.
• Manage prospect identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Conduct an assigned number of significant or substantive donor meetings annually.
• Submit an assigned number of major gift proposals annually.
• Develop and implement strategies and campaigns for solicitation of major ($25,000+) and principal ($1M+) gifts, including determining ongoing relationships with prospects/donors, recommending specific purpose and level of gift, and identifying those involved in cultivation and solicitation.
• Execute assigned portion of the annual development plan in conjunction with input from the assigned manager and Assistant/Associate Vice President in University Development and Alumni Engagement.
• Develop written proposals for major and principal-level donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations; draft gift agreements and confer with administrative personnel to secure gift closure.
• Oversee accounting, gift recording, acknowledgement procedures, reporting, and compliance for in-kind giving.
• Work collaboratively with central University Development & Alumni Engagement partners, including Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Corporation Relations, Foundation Relations, Gift Administration, and Parent Philanthropy on campaigns for solicitations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in development, major gifts fundraising, donor relations, marketing, planned giving, or related experience, with at least two years in direct fundraising.
• Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one by date of hire.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $90,000 - $123,000. The offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the selected individual. Factors determining compensation include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and organizational needs.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement participation in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).
• Educational benefits for eligible employees.