Executive Director Of Development Jobs in California

Job no: 558923

Work type: Management (MPP), Staff

Location: Pomona

Categories: MPP, At-Will, Fundraising & Alumni Relations, Full Time

Type of Appointment: Full-Time, At Will

Job Classification: Administrator II

Anticipated Hiring Range: $60,636 - $190,008 annually (Commensurate with skills and qualifications)

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, unless otherwise notified

Recruitment Closing Date: June 24, 2026

THE DEPARTMENT:

The Division of University Advancement is one of five central divisions of the university whose primary purpose is to enhance the private support and knowledge of the university. This is accomplished by initiating programs, events, and activities that stimulate the involvement and interest of alumni, friends, parents, corporations, and foundations to develop relationships that will foster and stimulate giving to the university. The office of the Vice President of University Advancement oversees the offices of development, alumni and external relations, government and external affairs, advancement services, and annual giving. The division manages and operates the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundations, which serves as the official entity to receive and manage all contributions to the University.

Under the telework policy it is understood that your physical presence may be required on individual scheduled remote days based on the needs of the campus, division, department, or request of your HEERA Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Fundraising and Major Gift Development

• Serve as the primary director of development for two colleges, the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences (CLASS) and the College of Education and Integrative Studies (CEIS).
• Oversight, manage and lead the directors of development for the following colleges/areas: Huntley College of Agriculture, College of Environmental Design, Athletics, and the Division of Student Affairs.
• Meet regularly with direct supervisor, AVP Chief Development Officer (CDO); and fellow Executive Director for Development, and Executive Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, Steward and Annual Leadership Giving, of the Director of Planned Giving, and Deans and campus leaders to assure strategic alignment in the advancement of philanthropic goals, including the development of strategies for major gift cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Works as a team member to envision, develop, implement, and manage the divisional strategic plan which includes the mission statement, goals, objectives, priorities, development of policies and procedures, and assessment/identification of problems and recommendations associated with the implementation of a comprehensive major gift program.
• Lead efforts to advance fundraising and development for Future Career Paths by: (Lead/managing a development team: supervising staff- development associates, coordinators, volunteers, board committees focused on development/Identify, cultivate, solicit and steward donors)
• Develop communication materials about fundraising and stewardship (case statements, annual report sections, donor communications)
• Oversee or Lead - capital campaigns, endowment development, grant writing and management, events and sponsorships/manage budget.
• Maintain and constantly work to enhance an individual major gift prospect pool and actively cultivates and solicits some of these prospects for significant gifts to the university by presenting the goals and objectives of the funding needs in a manner which effectively informs and persuades others.
• Coordinates with the university prospect management system to ensure effective coordination with fundraising professionals, soliciting and cultivating support for the various schools and programs of the university.
• Works with the advancement partners on prospect discovery and qualification.
• Play a key role in the feasibility, strategic planning, delegation, and achievement of goals for the university-wide comprehensive capital campaign.
• Works closely with consultants, administrators, advancement staff, volunteer groups, and donors to identify, solicit, and steward major donors.
• Collaborates with other divisional departments such as advancement services, alumni affairs, government relations and strategic communications to ensure that the best level of support, training, and assistance required by the fundraising professionals is met.
• Provides support to the Philanthropic Foundation and its committees as assigned.

Leadership and Management of Development Directors

• Under the general supervision of the AVP, Chief Development Officer, the Executive Director of Development is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of a strategic philanthropic program for the following colleges/areas: Huntley College of Agriculture, College of Environmental Design, Athletics, and the Division of Student Affairs.
• In partnership with deans and directors of development, and in consultation with the VP for University Advancement, AVP for Advancement Operations/COO and AVP Chief Development Officer, establishes the funding priorities and goals for the aforementioned colleges/areas.
• Serves as liaison to the respective deans and University Advancement to coordinate college and program fundraising strategies to assure strategies are aligned to the mission and strategic advancement of the college, program, the university, and the dean's objectives.
• Assure the adherence of all university fundraising endeavors to the guidelines, gift policies, structures, and prospect management protocols of University Advancement, CPP, the CSU, and state and federal regulations.
• Meet with the directors of development on a regular basis to provide leadership, ensure priorities and goals are being met, share knowledge, and provide guidance to meet goals.
• Evaluate the performance of each director of development and major gifts annually.
• Annual evaluation should occur in consultation with the respective Dean/campus leader.
• Provide on-going mentorship, goal-setting guidance, and counsel to facilitate consistent strategy development and execution across units in alignment with institutional fundraising priorities.
• Evaluates the effectiveness and appropriateness of fundraising strategies related to the plan and ensures plan's adherence to the university advancement prospect management system guidelines and assignments.
• Evaluates appropriateness of the college or program's annual fundraising target and provides written and verbal feedback to the deans, directors, and fundraising professionals.
• Advises the AVP Chief Development Officer as to the effectiveness and appropriateness of the individual and aggregate college fundraising planning, goal setting, and progress towards achieving goals.
• Ensure adherence to prospect management protocols and Advancement policies.
• Works as a team member to envision, develop, implement a philanthropic donor and engagement strategic plan.
• Strategically partner with fellow Executive Director for Development to ensure strategic alignment and advancement with the goals and objectives.

Administrative Leadership & Planning

• Serve as a senior member of the Advancement leadership team.
• Contribute to divisional strategic planning and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services to ensure adherence to prospect management protocols, stewardship processes, and systems optimization.
• Serve as an advisor to the Vice President for Advancement.

Communications and Impact Reporting

• Serve as a critical partner in the development and implementation of a comprehensive advancement communications strategy to convey vital importance of the philanthropic contributions to the University and its mission of student success.
• Assist in the collection of quantitative and qualitative information for inclusion in advancement communications, including annual donor impact reports.

Other duties as identified and assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree - From an accredited university.
• Driver License, Valid and in State
• Minimum (5) five years professional experience as a seasoned performance-driven senior development officer of a higher education or nonprofit institution which may include major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaign.
• Minimum (5) five years management or supervisory experience with major gifts and six-figures plus program with performance-driven metrics and accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to be an effective team builder and ability to maintain positive work relationships, on- and off-campus with a diverse population of individuals from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and will support and contribute to diversity and opportunity in higher education.
• Must show demonstrated ability and success in major gift fundraising and donor cultivation, experience with successful gift solicitation to individuals and corporations, and management of performance metrics and data-driven decision making.
• Must be able to demonstrate creativity and leadership in strategic planning including prioritization based on return of investment (ROI), with the ability to implement and provide oversight of ongoing development efforts at the college level, including deans and college leadership.
• Must have knowledge and understanding of higher education practices and collaborations with a variety of constituents and colleagues, while maintaining the highest standards of professional integrity, work ethics, and conduct.
• Must show demonstrated effective, interpersonal and communication skills to build trust and motivate staff, volunteers, donors, and others to achieve their maximum potential.
• Requires a creative, dynamic, strategic planner with the ability to implement and provide oversight of major gifts and stewardship.
• Must have excellent oral and written skills communicating with a variety of constituents, including high-profile leaders.
• Must possess strong supervisory management and organizational skills with excellent time management and follow-through abilities.
• Must have the ability to function on multiple tasks with self-motivation and initiative and the ability to develop solutions to complex problems, which requires the use of ingenuity and creativity.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Masters degree from an accredited university preferred.
• Five to eight years of management or supervisory experience with a major gift program with performance-driven metrics and accountability.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) certification.
• Demonstrated understanding of the contemporary issues and the operational characteristics of higher education fundraising.

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California. The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.

Background Check

Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment to final job candidates, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any information that the applicant submits for consideration regarding the criminal conviction history such as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for.

Education Code 89521 Requirements

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.

CSU Classification Salary Range

This position is part of the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) bargaining unit M80. The CSU Classification Standards for this position are located on the CSU Classification Standards website. The CSU Salary Schedule is located on the CSU Salary Schedule website. Please refer to the anticipated hiring range for the appropriate salary rate for this particular position.

Employment Eligibility Verification

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

University Driving Requirements

Positions that require driving for university business by using a personal or state vehicle must comply with the Authorized University Driver Policy. Driving records are monitored and evaluated by the Risk Management Department. The Risk Management Department evaluates a good driving report based on the following criteria. The driver must:
1. Have a valid California or other State Driver’s license.
2. Have no more than 3 motor vehicle violations or been the cause of 3 accidents in a 12-month period (or any combination of 3 thereof)
3. Not have more than 3 DMV Points, if their license is Class C or,
4. Not have more than 5 DMV Points, if their license is Class A, B, or C with endorsements.

Conflict of Interest

This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file financial interest disclosure forms subject to state regulations.

Outside Employment Disclosure

Executive and Management Plan Personnel employees must disclose all current outside employment at the time of hire as a precondition of hire and at the following times after hire: annually in July, within 30 days of accepting outside employment, and upon their manager’s request.

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

The person holding this position is considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Security & Fire Safety

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona’s Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at ADACoordinator@cpp.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly Pomona provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Pomona complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona complies with the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and requests priority referral of protected veterans for our job openings.

Other Notices

For other important employment notices, we invite you to visit Cal Poly Pomona’s Employment Notices web page.

Advertised: Jun 10 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close: Jun 24 2026 Pacific Daylight Time