Senior Director of Development, Health and Human Services - Cal State Long Beach

The Senior Director of Development for the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) at Cal State Long Beach will secure major gifts of $25,000+ with a focus on gifts above $100,000, including principal gifts at the $1 million+ level, in support of the university and CHHS priorities.

About the role

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development, this role serves as the college’s primary development officer and partners closely with the dean, faculty, and university leadership to strengthen philanthropic support and advance strategic fundraising initiatives. The Senior Director will lead donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship, and pipeline development efforts while building meaningful relationships with alumni, donors, corporations, foundations, and community partners. This individual will also collaborate across the university to align donor interests with institutional priorities and advance a culture of philanthropy across major, principal, and planned giving.

With a new university president, new college leadership, and a future comprehensive campaign on the horizon, this role offers the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of philanthropy for one of the university’s largest colleges.

Responsibilities

• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gifts of $25,000+ with a focus on gifts above $100,000, including principal gifts at the $1 million+ level from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
• Develop strategic cultivation and solicitation plans aligned with college and university priorities.
• Manage the full donor lifecycle, including prospect identification, relationship management, stewardship, and ongoing engagement.
• Prepare donor-facing materials including proposals, gift agreements, and stewardship communications.
• Partner with university leadership, faculty, and advancement colleagues to identify philanthropic priorities and strategic fundraising opportunities.
• Manage and coordinate relationships with corporate and foundation partners supporting multiple colleges and university initiatives.
• Collaborate with fellow directors of development on interdisciplinary fundraising efforts and university-wide initiatives.
• Develop and support strategic volunteer engagement opportunities for major gift prospects and donors.
• Enlist, train, and partner with volunteers and advisory boards in support of fundraising initiatives and donor engagement strategies.
• Represent CHHS and the university at events and donor engagement activities as needed.
• Partner with URD leadership and the dean of CHHS to identify fundraising priorities and develop strategic advancement plans.
• Provide guidance and support related to fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and philanthropic opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of seven years of successful major gift fundraising experience including donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and building donor relationships.
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex fundraising environments preferred.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including donors, faculty, staff, and volunteers.
• Experience managing development strategies and donor pipelines.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Valid California driver’s license required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within higher education advancement.
• Knowledge of principal gift fundraising strategies and donor lifecycle management.
• Experience collaborating with deans, faculty, and senior institutional leadership.

Pay

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $130,000–150,000, commensurate with experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of base salary.
• Tuition waiver: up to 2 courses, or 6 units, per semester for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner, or eligible dependent child for any of the 23 CSU campuses.
• CalPERS Retirement Plan: defined benefit retirement pension plan with lifetime medical benefits for you, your spouse, or registered domestic partner.
• 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (similar to a 401k plan).
• Two vacation days (16 hours) per month.
• Access to athletic and gym facilities on campus.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits.
• Jury duty: continued salary while serving on jury duty, regardless of length of service.