Senior Director of Development - Society, Arts & Civic Life

About the role

The Senior Director of Development, Society, Arts & Civic Life is responsible for advancing philanthropic support that aligns with the academic mission and strategic priorities of Sacramento State’s College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies and College of Arts and Letters.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the principal advancement partner to both Deans, fostering strong collaborative relationships with faculty, academic leaders, advisory boards, alumni, community partners, foundations, and individual donors.
• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $50,000 and above that support programs and initiatives examining human societies, cultural expression, civic life, and public engagement.
• Provide strategic oversight of development staff responsible for leadership annual and mid-level giving, ensuring a coordinated and sustainable donor pipeline.
• Lead the development of donor engagement strategies that leverage alumni, advisory boards, public programs, performances, lectures, exhibitions, and community partnerships to deepen donor relationships and demonstrate impact.
• Collaborate with peers to align fundraising strategies, share best practices, and advance division-wide and university priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or equivalent training and experience.
• Five or more years of experience with a verifiable record of cultivating and closing major gifts of $25k+ in higher education, philanthropy, corporate relations, or similar sales and business development experience.
• Strong understanding and experience of fundraising or sales industry best practices to achieve goals and mission, including portfolio management, strategic planning, and stewardship practices.
• Experience in management and event planning.
• Demonstrated ability to establish measurable fundraising or sales goals and objectives, and develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies to achieve goals and objectives.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to direct, manage, and motivate others (e.g., fundraisers, volunteers, advisory groups, stakeholders).
• Demonstrated ability to successfully build professional relationships with prospective donors and internal stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of philanthropy, moves management, and comprehensive fundraising programs, with the ability to develop and structure complex gifts in an academic environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
• Excellent organization and detail-oriented skills to work in high-pressure, fast-paced environment while effectively meeting objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, lead and train others, and serve and a member of a team.
• Proficient in Development database (Advance, Blackbaud, etc.), as well as office software programs (Microsoft Office, Outlook, etc.).
• Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents including faculty, students, staff, and members of the community.
• Willingness and ability to independently travel and occasionally transport others, as needed.
• Able to work on-call, evenings, and weekends.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or equivalent training and experience.
• Master’s degree from an accredited university preferred.
• Professional fundraising credential preferred.
• Experience working in complex organizations preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and maintenance of good driving record.

Skills

• Strong understanding and experience of fundraising or sales industry best practices.
• Strategic planning and stewardship practices.
• Portfolio management.
• Event planning.
• Leadership skills.
• Professional relationships building.
• Verbal and written communication skills.
• Organization and detail-oriented skills.
• Independent work and team collaboration.
• Development database proficiency.
• Office software proficiency.
• Travel and transportation ability.

Benefits

Best-in-class benefits are provided, including:

• Flexible work schedule.
• Comprehensive health insurance options.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Professional development opportunities.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range is $9,583 per month ($115,000 annually) - $10,416 per month ($125,000 annually).

Schedule

The position is full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Work hours may vary depending on department needs.