Position Summary

San Diego State University is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Director of Development to support fundraising efforts that advance key university priorities. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, this role focuses on cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gifts of $100,000 or more from individuals, corporations, and foundations in support of the Fowler College of Business and other university initiatives.

The Director of Development will build strong partnerships with faculty, administrators, alumni, and community leaders to identify philanthropic opportunities and develop meaningful donor relationships. Through strategic engagement and thoughtful stewardship, this role helps secure private support that enhances student success, faculty research, and innovative programs across the university.

Key Responsibilities:

Major Gift Fundraising and Donor Engagement

• Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward individuals, corporations, and foundations in support of SDSU priorities.
• Conduct donor meetings and cultivation visits to strengthen relationships and advance philanthropic opportunities.
• Prepare compelling proposals, grant requests, and case materials that communicate the impact of philanthropic support.
• Represent SDSU and University Development in a professional and engaging manner with internal and external partners.

Development Strategy and Collaboration

• Partner with faculty, academic leaders, and volunteers to identify philanthropic priorities and align fundraising strategies.
• Work closely with central development teams including prospect research, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, and annual giving.
• Develop short- and long-term development strategies and fundraising plans in collaboration with leadership.
• Assist with advisory board engagement and development activities for assigned units.

Donor Stewardship and Relationship Management

• Steward donors across all levels within the assigned portfolio to strengthen long-term engagement and giving.
• Maintain accurate donor records and prospect activity within the university’s development CRM system.
• Coordinate donor communications, acknowledgements, and stewardship initiatives.
• Attend university and donor engagement events, including occasional evenings or weekends.

Why Join Us?

At SDSU, philanthropy plays a critical role in shaping the future of a vibrant public research university and a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution. As part of University Relations and Development, you will help build lasting relationships with alumni, friends, and partners who believe in expanding access to education and driving innovation.

By joining our team, you will contribute to a collaborative development program recognized for its impact and excellence while helping advance opportunities for more than 40,000 students and a global network of over 500,000 alumni and supporters.

Position Information

• This is a full-time, at-will role, offering comprehensive benefits.
• 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 (Ability to travel for off-campus appointments and events, including occasional evening and weekend commitments).
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 3 days per week, 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.  The departments of Development, SDSU Alumni, Planned and Annual Giving, Special Events and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Financial Management, Data Management, Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a tangible difference in the lives of more than 40,000 students.

Our 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 in collaboration with SDSU’s visionary faculty and staff, the university cultivates lifelong relationships with more than 500,000 alumni, friends, and community members—advancing SDSU’s mission for generations to come.

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

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required. In addition, a minimum of five (5) years of major gifts fundraising or closely related experience managing high-value, relationship-based revenue portfolios is required, along with demonstrated success closing high-value, relationship-based commitments of $100,000 or more, either as a one-time gift or cumulatively over a five-year period, preferably in a philanthropic setting.

Key Qualifications

• 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.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving organizational setting.
• Demonstrated success in providing volunteer leadership.
• Ability to interpret biographical, corporate, and foundation information.
• Ability to represent the university and development division professionally to internal and external constituencies.
• Preferred: Experience in fundraising within a large, complex university or nonprofit organization, including participation in comprehensive or capital campaigns.
• Preferred: Experience with planned giving programs or related advancement and relationship-based development work.
• Preferred: Demonstrated commitment to higher education and philanthropy, with the ability to articulate a compelling case for philanthropic support of a public institution of higher education.
• Preferred: Advanced degree in a related field.

Licenses/Certifications Required

Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Compensation and Benefits

At San Diego State University, we value our team members and offer a competitive salary that reflects your qualifications and experience. But that’s just the beginning! Our exceptional benefits package is designed to support your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Leave Benefits: Enjoy 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year.
• Retirement Security: Benefit from a CalPERS defined benefit pension plan, with reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan, plus retiree healthcare benefits.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access a variety of health, dental, and vision plans at no or low cost to you.
• Educational Opportunities: Take advantage of the California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent.
• Voluntary Benefits: Opt into additional benefits like Auto & Home Insurance, Life and Disability Insurances, a Legal Plan, Pet Insurance, and the ScholarShare 529 Plan for college savings.

The expected hiring salary for this position ranges from $100,000 to $110,000 annually.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.  Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment.  We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

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. 

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) 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. SDSU 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. 

SDSU 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 SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by March 30, 2026, to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and 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.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Livia Peeples at lpeeples@sdsu.edu.