Position Summary

This position in collaboration with SDSU leadership, including University Relations and Development, Business and Financial Affairs and the Division of Research and Innovation, will develop a phased plan for Innovation District fundraising, with the entrepreneurship hub being at the forefront. In the first phase, the incumbent will  identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit philanthropic gifts for the entrepreneurship hub, currently planned as a 20,000 square foot building, plus programming in the hub. In later phases, or depending on donor interest, the incumbent will also generate support for other opportunities within the Innovation District. 

Recognition for these gifts may include naming the Innovation District, streets within the District and spaces within the building. This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Development with dotted line reporting to the Associate Vice President, Mission Valley Development and the Vice President for Research and Innovation.

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.

This position is approved for partial telecommuting with onsite work 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.  

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

Education and Experience

• Ten or more years of fundraising experience in a large, complex organization. 
• Deep and broad connections in the San Diego and Southern California philanthropic community.

Key Qualifications

• Proven track record of raising funds for economic development, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Proven experience in all facets of development including gift administration, gift acceptance, prospect management, research, annual giving, volunteer management and communications. 
• Demonstrated success as a development professional in a donor‐centered fundraising environment.
• Demonstrated success in providing volunteer leadership.  
• 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 utilize computer applications and databases to correspond, prepare written materials and manage time/workflow.  
• Advanced degree in a related field preferred.  
• Fundraising experience in a large, complex university or non‐profit.  
• Demonstrated success with comprehensive and/or capital campaigns.  
• Planned giving experience.  
• Demonstrated transferable skills are considered. 

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:  $150,000 - $161,000 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 10, 2024.  To receive full consideration, apply by July 9, 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.