Director of Development for Athletics

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Director of Development for Athletics

Apply now Job no: 560179

Work type: Management (MPP)

Location: Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Campus

Categories: MPP, Administrative, Athletics, At-Will, Fundraising & Alumni Relations, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Position Description

Job Summary

The Director of Development for Athletics will serve as a professional in the Athletic Department to cultivate and solicit former student athletes and coaches, alumni, parents, friends, community members, foundations and corporations for contributions. The incumbent will participate in 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 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

Cal Poly Athletics is committed to providing broad-based, high-quality and competitive NCAA Division I athletic programs that afford student-athletes opportunities to take advantage of our unique Learn by Doing philosophy. Cal Poly Athletics embodies the transformative power of physical activity, fostering skill development, teamwork, sportsmanship, and a commitment to excellence. We take pride in offering students meaningful learning experiences that complement their academic pursuits. Mustang Athletics enriches collegiate life, uniting a diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni through shared pride and spirit.

The role of the University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) Division is to foster strong relationships with external partners while enhancing support for Cal Poly. University Development and Alumni Engagement does this by implementing an overall advancement program that includes alumni and parent engagement, community outreach, coordinated fundraising efforts, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, training and systems support for the donor database, and Cal Poly Foundation support and administration.

Key Qualifications

• Develop and manage a personal portfolio of an assigned number of prospective annual and major gift prospects/donors, while maintaining confidentiality. Manage prospect, identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Conduct an assigned number of significant or substantive donor meetings annually. Submit an assigned number of major gift proposals annually.
• Develop and implement strategies and campaigns for solicitation of major ($25,000 +) and principal ($1M +) gifts including determining ongoing relationships with prospects/donors; recommending specific purpose and level of gift; identifying those to be involved in cultivation and subsequent solicitation; and carry out solicitations.
• In conjunction with input from the assigned manager and the assigned Assistant/Associate Vice President in University Development and Alumni Engagement, execute assigned portion of the annual development plan. Responsible for personal and college metrics and goals that result from the annual development plan.
• Develop written proposals for presentation to major and principal level donors, corporate sponsors, and foundations; develop gift agreements and confer with appropriate administrative personnel to secure closure of the gift; oversee accounting, gift recording and acknowledgement procedures and reporting; oversee compliance for in-kind giving.
• Work collaboratively with central University Development & Alumni Engagement partners including, but not limited to, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, Corporation Relations, Foundation Relations, Gift Administration, and Parent Philanthropy on campaigns for solicitations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree and a minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in development, major gifts fundraising, donor relations, marketing, planned giving or other related professional experience with two years being direct fundraising experience. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:

• Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one by date of hire.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $90,000 - $123,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

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 known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 22,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Solano County to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities, maritime 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 www.calpoly.edu.

Please watch the video linked here to learn more about the CSU system.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and 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 student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly 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.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly 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. 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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

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.

Cal Poly is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

This position may be "Designated" under California State Universitys 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.

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.

Advertised: August 05, 2026 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close:

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Current Opportunities

Position Location Open Date Close Date Director of Development for Athletics Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo Campus August 05, 2026 Cal Poly Athletics and University Development and Alumni Engagement are looking for a Director of Development for Athletics. This fundraiser will build relationships with alumni, former student-athletes, parents, friends, corporations, and community partners to inspire philanthropic support that advances Mustang Athletics. Join us!

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