Senior Director of Development - College of Liberal Arts

Senior Director of Development - College of Liberal Arts

Job No: 510676
Work Type: Management (MPP)
Location: San Luis Obispo
Categories: MPP, At-Will, Fundraising & Alumni Relations, Full Time


Job Summary

The Senior Director of Development will direct the implementation and coordination of a comprehensive college-based development program by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts; understand and comply with the policies, procedures and best practices established by University Development; foster successful major gift fundraising by preparing the Dean and other academic leaders to participate routinely and effectively in development activities and prospect appointments; and participate in college based programs that identify and encourage relationships with donors, prospects and alumni.

Department Summary

The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) consists of 17 academic departments and programs, and approximately 300 faculty, 70 staff, and 3,400 students in 18 undergraduate majors and 4 graduate programs. Five broad areas of knowledge are represented: the fine and performing arts, communications, humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. In addition to offering courses for its own majors, CLA offers a significant proportion of courses in general education, as well courses that support minors and serve as electives for all majors throughout the university. Further, the CLA plays a significant role in providing activities that support diversity and enhance the cultural and intellectual environment of the campus, including exhibits and performances offered by our academic departments (e.g., Art, Music, Theatre & Dance) and Cal Poly Arts; cultural programs and lecture series offered by all of our departments; and co-curricular programs such as Mustang Media, Model UN and Debate.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to develop strategies and programs to identify and prioritize college needs.
• Strong demonstrated experience in developing dynamic fundraising objectives that would target the college's major supporters.
• Excellent leadership and stewardship skills.
• Ability to collaborate with constituents to plan and implement donor and alumni-related public communication and marketing programs.
• Strong writing and editing skills to produce proposals for presentation to major donors, corporate sponsors and foundations.
• Excellent communication skills to develop and maintain positive relationships with external constituents including alumni, donors, industry and professional partners, and volunteers

Education and Experience

A Bachelor's Degree and six years of progressively responsible professional experience, including a minimum of four years in development, sales, marketing, public relations or a related field.

Must possess (or have the ability to acquire before the date of hire) a Class C California Driver's License

Salary and Benefits
Salary commensurate with the background and experience of the individual selected.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.


Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and is known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, the humanities, and the built environment.

Cal Poly's hands-on philosophy, small class sizes, and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California, and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer.

Supplemental Information

CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so. Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to humanresources@calpoly.edu.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

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.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).


To Apply: All applicants must apply online at: https://jobs.calpoly.edu/sl/en-us/job/510676/senior-director-of-development-college-of-liberal-arts.

About Us
Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, four-year, comprehensive public university. Founded in 1901, the 6,000-acre campus is nestled in the foothills of San Luis Obispo, along California's scenic central coast and midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. With a budget of $168.5 million, the university has a student enrollment exceeding 17,000 students and employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff members. Cal Poly is part of the 23-campus California State University system.

At California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. California Polytechnic State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.




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