Job Summary

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), one of the nation's top public universities, seeks an experienced and entrepreneurial Vice President for University Development & Alumni Engagement / CEO Cal Poly Foundation to provide strategic planning, management, and execution of all business operations toward achieving an integrated university development program. The CEO of the Cal Poly Foundation requires a business leader who is responsible for the leadership of the Cal Poly Foundation, a duly recognized 501(c)(3) public benefit non-profit corporation and auxiliary organization of the California State University System. The VP will serve as the CEO and a voting member of the Cal Poly Foundation and will work closely with the Cal Poly Foundation Board, Executive Committee, and Board Chair to advance the fundraising activities of the University in alignment with the responsibilities outlined below.

Reporting directly to the University President and participating as a trusted advisor and strategic partner the VP will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet and work with all other university constituencies, including the Provost and Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President Finance and Administration, Vice President of Research, Cal Poly Corporation CEO, Deans and Athletic Director.

The VP will lead an efficient, cohesive, and productive team, set clear and achievable goals and accountability measures, and inspire staff to meet and exceed expectations in support of the university’s mission and vision. The VP will ensure strategies for effective and comprehensive business operations ensuring compliance, checks and balances and streamlined effective processes that support development. This includes finance, technology, annual giving, alumni engagement, principal gifts & gift planning, and campus operational, administrative, and financial controls related to gifts. In addition, the VP will provide management and oversight for core strategy development, large scale implementations, business transformation (lean process improvement/six sigma), change management, and new technology introductions.

The VP will carry a personal portfolio of donors and be an active and visible member in the local and University community. The VP will be responsible for developing a corporate giving strategy and implementation plan.  Development officers have a dual report to the Dean/Academic Leader and the VP. They work in partnership to accomplish annual development goals, performance metrics, and conduct joint annual performance reviews.

The VP will launch systematic initiatives to identify and cultivate the next generation of donors to Cal Poly while maintaining and strengthening ties to existing donors, promote and augment alumni engagement through creative and relevant programming, seek out new philanthropic opportunities for cash gifts, endowments, bequests, grants, and gifts in kind. This individual will be involved with and nurture present industry stakeholders on state, national, and international levels, play a key role in focusing state attention on the University's programs, and work with others across the institution to create a strong and consistent message about the University to its constituencies.

The VP will play a central role in enhancing the visibility and fundraising capabilities of the institution, ensuring Cal Poly’s position at the forefront of public higher education. The VP will be actively involved in the initial stages and lead Cal Poly’s third comprehensive campaign. The most recent campaign concluded in June 2020 and raised more than $832 million, which at the time was the largest fundraising initiative for the university and in CSU history. The University is well positioned for the development of the next successful comprehensive campaign which will include generating support for scholarships, fellowships, program, project, facilities, and more.

University Development & Alumni Engagement Division

The mission of University Development & Alumni Engagement is to garner and steward private support that will play a crucial role in building and maintaining the special polytechnic, high-quality, Learn by Doing education model of Cal Poly.

University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) at Cal Poly oversees the development program areas of planned giving and endowments, principal gifts, prospect research, corporate and foundation relations, college and regional fundraising, and alumni engagement.  Our team of more than 80 professionals proactively seeks opportunities to bridge resources to achieve shared objectives.

Cal Poly Foundation

The Cal Poly Foundation incorporated as a philanthropic tax-exempt foundation [a 501(c)(3) corporation] and an official auxiliary of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in March 2006. The Cal Poly Foundation led by Cal Poly alumni and friends was incorporated to generate private support that will play a crucial role in building and maintaining Cal Poly's multidisciplinary Learn by Doing educational model. To Learn More About the Foundation: https://foundation.calpoly.edu/content/index

Key Qualifications

• Thorough working knowledge of principles of fundraising, trends, and best practices across industries.
• Working knowledge of the value of diversity and inclusivity across the university.
• Experience in organizational development and change management in complex organizations.
• See and translate future trends into effective strategies with successful outcomes.
• Financial and business operations acumen including budgets and fiscal goals.
• Provide clear direction, delegating, and removing obstacles to get work done. Advocate for securing and deploying resources to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, public relations, or related fields and a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience as a leader or manager in development, advancement or fundraising in a large, multi-unit organization.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $320,000 - $353,000 per year. 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).