Assistant Director of Development, Athletics

  • San Diego State University
  • San Diego, California
  • Jun 29, 2024
Clerical and Administrative Support

Job Description

Position Summary

Under general supervision, the Assistant Director of Development, Athletics is a journey-level fundraising professional responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts $25,000 and above, as well as participating in annual gift strategies. The position reports directly to the Associate Athletics Director, Development.

The Assistant Director will focus on maintaining and improving the effectiveness and results of solicitations for gifts to the Department of Athletics. The Assistant Director will work directly and independently with identified donors and will develop and manage projects and strategies. The position will also coordinate and support stewardship activities.

This position manages the process of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership annual level prospects and donors. The Assistant Director will provide donors with customized, frequent, meaningful communication and involvement. Also, will ensure that all development activities are conducted in accordance with the fundraising policies and procedures set by the California State University system, SDSU, The Campanile Foundation and University Relations and Development.

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, at-will position. This position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Standard SDSU work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.

The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the university’s vision and mission underscored in the 2020 five-year strategic plan. The plan identifies five strategic priorities including: Becoming a Premier Public Research University: A New Kind of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI); Resilience. Designed to Thrive; We Are SDSU; Equity and Inclusion in Everything We Do; and Students at Our Core.

Units of URAD work together to create enduring relationships with alumni, parents, donors, students, and the community to generate private support for SDSU students, faculty, and a diverse number of programs. URAD handles a range of services encompassing stewardship, events, gift administration, communications and more.

Within URAD, the departments of Development, SDSU Alumni, Planned Giving, Special Events, Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Financial Management, Data Management, Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a difference in the lives of SDSU’s 37,000 students.

URAD had another record-setting fundraising year in 2022-2023 with $136.9M total raised. Other superlatives in 2022-2023 include 16,534 total gifts, 2,254 scholarships awarded and 5,969 first-time donors. The latest fundraising success can be credited to the university’s goal of building a world-class university campus, research center, and multi-use stadium in Mission Valley to serve higher education, the public good, and the community’s goals and aspirations.

SDSU has been recognized several times for its exceptional development program by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). With the support of loyal donors and working alongside SDSU’s visionary faculty and staff leaders, SDSU builds lifelong relationships with nearly 500,000 alumni, friends and the community that advance the mission of SDSU.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

University Relations and Development at San Diego State University is committed to upholding, as a foundational belief, a supportive working environment of inclusion that values, honors, and respects all members of our team and the University community.

We strive to engage in and promote the fair and equitable recruitment and training of URAD staff members, develop meaningful relationships with all groups in our diverse campus community, and share philanthropic stories that highlight the impact of and opportunity for diverse giving by our SDSU community.

University Relations and Development firmly believes that an inclusive environment facilitates critical and creative thinking, and that differences in identities, values, beliefs, and perspectives are fundamental to our mission of generating philanthropic support for the university and its student body.

Within University Relations and Development, the term diversity implies a respect for all and an understanding of individual differences and other characteristics protected by applicable state or federal law, so that all members of the community are treated at all times with dignity and respect.

We value diversity and inclusion in the working environment and believe it is vital to the fulfillment of the university’s mission.

The Department of Athletics

The Department of Athletics, utilizing the services of over 150 employees, is responsible for the intercollegiate athletics program at San Diego State University. Currently, there are 18 sport programs, approximately 450 student-athletes, and 17 offices in the department. The offices include the following: The Aztec Club, Administration, Athletic Medicine, Business Office, Compliance, Corporate Sales, Development, Equipment, Event Management/Facilities and Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Media Relations, Strength and Conditioning, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services, Ticket Office, and Video.

For more information regarding University Relations and Development, click here .

Education and Experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in relevant field or combination of education and experience
  • Two or more years of progressive development experience or related work, such as sales, marketing, communications and community or public relations
  • One or more years of direct experience in personal gift solicitation and fundraising ($10,000+)
  • Success in gift fundraising ($10,000+) that demonstrates an ability to align strategy development/implementation with pre-approved goals/priorities

Key Qualifications
  • A high degree of interest in and commitment to higher education and philanthropy and the ability to articulate a compelling case for annual support of a public institution of higher education
  • Ability to interpret biographical, corporate, and foundation information and to prepare concise written profiles and summaries of donor/prospect information
  • Proficiency with computer applications and other reference sources and tools
  • Experience working with volunteers and with corporate executives
  • Financial and biographical database experience
  • Must have the ability to travel and attend off-campus appointments and events during non-business hours

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University will offer a competitive salary based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. San Diego State University also offers a rich benefits package that includes:
  • Extensive Leave benefits: 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year;
  • Retirement security through a CalPERS defined benefit pension (with CalPERS and UC Retirement Plan reciprocity) and retiree healthcare benefits;
  • An array of health, dental, and vision coverage at no-cost or low-cost to the employee; and
  • California State University system fee reduction program (fee waiver) for the employee or their qualified dependent

Anticipated hiring range: $55,000 - $60,000 annually.

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here .

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on July 15, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by July 14, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

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.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

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

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here .

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Rachael Stalmann at rstalmann@sdsu.edu.

Advertised: Jun 28 2024 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

Closing Date/Time:

Job Address

San Diego, California 92182 United States View Map