Job Summary

The Executive Director of Development for Cal Poly - Solano Campus will serve as the lead professional at the Cal Poly Solano Campus to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward alumni, parents, friends, foundations and corporations for contributions. The incumbent will direct the implementation and coordination of 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 the Dean and other 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.

The Executive Director of Development reports directly to the Assistant Vice President for Development, Colleges and Units and will work in collaboration with Cal Poly Solano Campus leadership including the VP/CEO and Superintendent. This job involves leading the planning and implementation of short and long-term development initiatives across the college. This includes organizing fundraising and public relations campaigns that align with the Campus’ mission and vision. The role also involves managing volunteers, overseeing development processes, and supervising the development, marketing and communications, and public relations teams.

The position will be located at Cal Poly - Solano Campus in Vallejo, California.

Department Summary

The California State University Board of Trustees approved the integration of California State University Maritime Academy and Cal Poly. The Maritime Academy was originally established in 1929 and became a CSU campus in 1995. It is the only degree-granting maritime institution on the West Coast and one of only six state maritime academies in the U.S Located on 92 acres of waterfront property in Vallejo, California in Solano County—and aboard the 500-foot U.S. Training Ship Golden Bear—what has been referred to as Cal Maritime will be known as the Cal Poly Solano Campus. The campus offers multiple academic programs that prepare students for high-impact maritime industry careers in the fields of engineering, oceanography, transportation, global logistics, marine sciences and international relations. Specialized programs in marine transportation, marine engineering technology and mechanical engineering lead to a Merchant Marine license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard in addition to a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.

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

• Previous capital campaign, major gift cultivation and/or donor solicitation experience is essential.
• Vast experience and success in major gifts fundraising, marketing, planned giving, or other related professional field, preferably in a university setting or other fast paced and dynamic environment.
• Extensive demonstrated experience in developing and cultivating major gift donor contacts within the development community. Demonstrated experience in independent management of a large, complex, and successful, program with annual and multi-year goals. 
• Thorough knowledge of and experience with prospect management systems, fiscal administration, and volunteer development including utilizing the alumni relations database and prospect management systems as organizational tools.
• Thorough knowledge of the financial structure of donations, to include cash, gifts-in-kind, stocks, and securities.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of eight years of progressively responsible professional experience in development, major gifts fundraising, donor relations, marketing, planned giving or other related professional experience with four years being direct fundraising experience.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
• 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 $145,000 - $175,000 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.

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.

Cal Poly is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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, San Luis Obispo 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 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.

The California State University Board of Trustees has approved the integration of the California State University Maritime Academy with California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, effective July 1, 2025. The two campuses will form one academic institution operated as California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and all employment positions with California State University Maritime Academy are subject to this transition. Employees hired in the period after the Trustees’ approval on November 21, 2024 and prior to the integration date on July 1, 2025 will have their employment transitioned to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.  Employment shall continue to be subject to California State University policies and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Any changes in organizational structure, reporting relationships, or employment conditions will be communicated as details are finalized.