Job Summary

The Assistant Vice President for Development, Colleges and Units will be responsible to provide leadership, direction, and oversee fundraising productivity for all colleges and units on campus. The incumbent will be responsible for collaborating with all Development Officers to foster a team approach in cultivating individual prospects. This position will carry a portfolio of major and principal gift level donors/prospects. The incumbent will actively fundraise on behalf of the University to create additional breakthroughs in philanthropy. This position will work with the lead gift officers and their teams to enhance the college/unit development operations efforts by providing resources to the colleges and units, with the focus on training Development Officers, increasing overall philanthropy to Cal Poly and growing the major gift pipeline. This position will report to the Associate Vice President of Development in the division of University Development and Alumni Engagement. 

Department Summary

The role of the University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) Division is to foster strong relationships with internal and external partners while enhancing support for Cal Poly. UDAE establishes and implements 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. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are core values at Cal Poly and UDAE is committed to a continuous process of learning and updating practices to support systemic evolution toward equity, diversity, and inclusion for our team and constituents.    

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to set achievable goals, develop strategic frameworks, establish effective metrics, and drive the successful execution of key programs with measurable results. 
• Demonstrated ability to design, plan, and manage comprehensive fundraising plans to meet targets. 
• Skilled leader who can inspire, lead day-to-day operations, encourage professional development of individual team members, and create high functioning team performance of accountable direct reports. 
• Ability to demonstrate sound judgement and multi-task in a complex and comprehensive university setting.  
• Expertise of all phases of fundraising, including principal gifts, constituency-based fundraising, major gifts, planned giving and regional fundraising programs. 

Education and Experience

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree and eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, with at least five (5) years of managerial experience. 

Licenses, Certificates, Credentials:  Possession of a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain by date of hire.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $155,000 - $215,000 annually. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of 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 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, 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

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).