Senior Director of Advancement, West Coast

The ASU Foundation has retained Lindauer, an executive search firm, to assist in this search. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled.

Candidates should submit, in confidence, a resume and cover letter. Communications, nominations, applications, and inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Raegan Harvey, Consultant, rharvey@LindauerGlobal.com.

The ASU Foundation (ASUF) fosters partnerships between ASU and like-minded individuals, corporations and foundations who believe in ASU’s mission and provide resources for ASU to manifest its charter into meaningful impact.   

The Senior Director of Advancement, West Coast is a senior professional who works collaboratively within the Arizona State University Foundation (ASUF) and partners across Arizona State University (ASU).  The Senior Director works with the West Coast Advancement team to build ASUF’s overall presence on the West Coast (focused on California) in support of ASU’s Charter. The Senior Director will be responsible for all aspects of development, including fundraising, community and donor cultivation, campaign management, and other external engagement functions, while proactively managing a major gift donor/prospect portfolio. The successful candidate will play a key role as the Foundation continues its ongoing effort to generate financial support in the California market to enable ASU to meet/exceed its goals.

The Senior Director reports to the Executive Director of Advancement, West Coast of the ASU Foundation.

• Execute the university’s comprehensive West Coast strategy, which includes building a network of key individual donors, volunteers, and strategic partners
• Develop a seamless and collaborative approach linking the ASU Foundation, ASU Alumni Association, Sun Devil Athletics, and all other ASU units within California
• Creates and leads a coordinated program of fundraising and engagement activities designed to increase the number and level of annual, major and/or principal gift donors; sets direction and approach in partnership with ASU leader’s vision in assigned area(s) of responsibility
• Support the fundraising activities of the ASU President, Deans, and other executive leaders within the State of California
• Managing a portfolio of major gifts prospects the Senior Director will be responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting high net worth individuals in California focused on raising 6-figure+ donations, with independent responsibility to develop and execute strategies leading to a solicitation for each prospect.
• Leads a comprehensive unit or central development department/program; develops and executes strategies to involve campus leaders, alumni, friends, and volunteers to identify and cultivate new individual, corporate, institutional and/or foundation prospects on behalf of assigned area(s) of responsibility
• Guided by the direction and scope of a prospect’s interest, collaborates with various faculty, institute/center directors, and unit-based and foundation-based fundraisers to leverage the maximum philanthropic potential of a prospect
• Guides the direction of written proposals, white papers, strategic plans, budgets, and other collateral materials as needed for securing significant ($100k+) philanthropic investments
• High level of collaboration with both internal departments and broader University partners to identify common goals and develop, execute, and advance prospect and donor strategies and increase participation among high profile volunteers and donors (i.e., alumni engagement, annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, development, donor relations, estate and gift planning, financial services, research, and prospect management, etc.)
• Ensures the proper stewardship and recognition of donors in portfolio
• Manages projects with moderate oversight; depending on area(s) of responsibility, may serve as a project manager for some complex, multilayered, university-wide proposals aimed at raising the higher gifts for a university campaign
• Ensures compliance with prospect management guidelines for tracking and maintenance of contact and progress reporting
• Manages budget, related to area(s) of assignment, ensuring a maximum return on university investments while controlling expenses
• Within area(s) of responsibility, maintains up to date knowledge on key alumni and high-level donors, and/or oversees continuous research, development and up-to-date knowledge on prospects and works with other areas to coordinate contacts
• Participates, as a member of the ASUF development team and serve as a resource to development colleagues
• Sustains and elevates working relationships with deans, chairs, directors, and faculty members within area(s) of responsibility

• Professional credibility, intellectual depth, maturity, wisdom and collaborative skills to garner the trust and confidence of ASU leadership, faculty, students and other key constituents
• Demonstrated success in raising donor sights, articulating aspirational goals and ideas, setting priorities, presenting philanthropic opportunities, and closing six, seven, and eight figure gifts
• Demonstrated skills on advancing large scale ideas within an institute, college or research laboratory
• Proven competence to design and implement effective cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies
• Ability to exercise good judgment, to demonstrate an understanding of ethics related to development activities, and to use discretion in interactions with donors, prospects, volunteers, and others
• Highly flexible nature, sophisticated and professional demeanor, and the ability to think quickly and react effectively to unanticipated circumstances, opportunities, and complex situations
• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment
• Creative, professional, and entrepreneurial spirit; strong intellectual curiosity
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Foundation and University business and confidential prospect information
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, prospects, donors, and/or volunteers in a wide range of roles
• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds
• Ability to successfully lead, coach and guide a team to achieve desired result
• Able to secure personal appointments and qualify new prospects
• Complex problem-solving skills coupled with the ability to conduct research, gather data, analyze information, and prepare effective, accurate, and timely reports and other documents to support development objectives
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies and interests
• Ability to represent the institution well and possess an advocate’s belief in the vision of ASU as the New American University
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfortable working in donor/prospect computer database systems
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans
• High degree of self-motivation, personal discipline, and integrity
• Ability and willingness to travel, both by air and by personal automobile
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule when required

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least seven (7) years of years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience
• Documented success in personally implementing sophisticated, multi-year cultivation strategies that use a relationship-building and moves management approach leading to successful gift closure
• Demonstrated ability in securing major grants and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources

• Advanced degree
• Seven-plus (7) years of years of successful professional development and/or fundraising experience in higher education
• Experience working in Salesforce and Workday

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance 

• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution 

• 22 days of vacation time 

• 11 holidays, including your birthday 

• Parental leave 

• Significant tuition reductions 

• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest 

• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement 

We serve. 

We serve the faculty and staff of ASU to bring them resources so they can do all the great things that they do. 

We innovate. 

We’re always looking for new ideas, new solutions, new approaches and new ways to address the challenges facing ASU. 

We engage. 

We engage our donors, philanthropists, investors and partners, connecting them to ASU and helping them share their time, talent and treasure. 

We care. 

When we serve, innovate and engage, it shows that we care — about faculty, staff, donors, fellow employees and other partners as we bring resources to ASU. 

ASU Enterprise Partners and its subsidiaries is an equal opportunity employer that is firmly committed to promoting justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within our organization and throughout our sphere of influence. Because we embrace a spirit of innovation and achievement, we will endeavor to maximize the talent and potential of all employees, directors, and volunteers through bold and strategic action aimed at building success and a sense of belonging. All employees are expected to act in good faith to support these actions and to not impede the efforts of others to build a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization.