Job Title

Director of Development, Major Gifts

Classification

Administrator II

Auto Req. ID

556924

Salary Range

Classification Range $5,053 - $16,221 per month

(Hiring range depending on qualifications, not anticipated to exceed $7,600 - $9,300 per month)

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; occasional early morning, evening and/or weekend hours.

Why CSUF

California State University, Fullerton (Cal State Fullerton) is a leading public university committed to student success, academic excellence, and inclusive excellence. The university fosters a collaborative environment that supports teaching, research, and service while promoting innovation and professional growth. Cal State Fullerton is both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and a recipient of the Seal of Excelencia (2021 and 2024) from Excelencia in Education. Joining Cal State Fullerton means becoming part of a community dedicated to advancing student achievement, career success, and economic mobility.

Department

The department of College and Program Development within the Division of University Advancement generates financial support for Cal State Fullerton, benefiting each of the eight colleges, Student Affairs, Titan Athletics, the Arboretum and Botanical Garden at Cal State Fullerton, and the Pollak Library. We seek an exceptional individual to join our team as the Director of Development, Major Gifts (Administrator II). This is an opportunity to join a collaborative, purpose-driven team and help fuel the next chapter of impact in one of Southern California’s most dynamic communities. The ideal candidate in this role should have a positive attitude, an active, energetic mind, and a leadership style that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to inclusivity, openness, flexibility, integrity, and kindness.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Assistant Vice President of College and Program Development and in partnership with the Vice President of Student Affairs/Strategic Enrollment Management (SA/SEM) and the Vice President of Human Resources and Inclusive Excellence (HRIE), the Director of Development, Major Gifts will support fundraising activities consistent with the priorities of the Vice President for University Advancement and the University. The Director of Development will be an integral part of the major gift development team. We seek a motivated individual who will lead major gift and development efforts on behalf of the divisions of SA/SEM and HRIE. Direct strategy and execution of a multimillion-dollar fundraising plan in coordination with cabinet-level Vice Presidents, responsibilities include strategic individual, foundation, and corporate fundraising, donor and alumni engagement, development events, communications, stewardship, and prospect management responsibilities. As a frontline major gift officer, the Director will manage all aspects of the donor lifecycle – qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship while also providing counsel and expertise to programs and administrators. With a portfolio of approximately 125 prospects, this leader will champion a culture of philanthropy while collaborating with university programs across disciplines to align private support for long-term impact. Other duties as assigned.

Inclusive Leadership Statement

Inclusive Leadership Statement is required below, please be sure to address the following as a minimum. Please add additional information as you see necessary and applicable:

• What does inclusive leadership mean to you.

• A description of your experiences working with individuals with a different perspective.

• A description of how issues of inclusivity have impacted you personally or professionally.

Essential Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field is required, along with a minimum of 4–5 years of demonstrated success in direct major gift fundraising. The candidate must have the ability to solicit and secure gifts of at least $25,000 and demonstrate a strong capacity to develop and implement persuasive cultivation strategies that strengthen the giving pipeline. Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills are essential to build and maintain effective relationships across the organization and with external constituencies. Experience in planning and executing meaningful donor events is required, as is an understanding of university culture and the ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and volunteers. The role also requires local travel to meet with prospective donors, proficiency with general office equipment and Windows-based computer systems, and knowledge of annual campaigns, corporate and foundation philanthropy, and digital fundraising. Additionally, the candidate must be able to design and implement effective donor stewardship strategies.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. CSU 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 complete the background check satisfactorily may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.  

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working as a fundraising officer in higher education is preferred, along with experience in principal and planned giving. The ideal candidate will also have experience collaborating with volunteer groups and supporting fundraising campaigns.

License/Certifications

A valid California driver’s license.  

Special Working Conditions

Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator

A reliable source of transportation to attend events and donor visits at varying times. The role involves performing duties both indoors and outdoors, sometimes in varying environmental conditions. Must be available to support and work the university’s annual commencement ceremonies.

Benefits at a Glance

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage
• Dental and Vision coverage
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability
• Retirement plan through CalPERS
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible
• FlexCash (in lieu of health and dental)
• Employee Assistance Programs
• 15 paid holidays

See our CSUF Benefits website for additional information.

Additional Information

California State University, Fullerton is committed to fostering an environment where students, staff, administrators, and faculty thrive. We welcome individuals ready to make an impact on student and staff success to apply and become part of the Titan Community. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Cal State Fullerton is an equal opportunity employer that prohibits discrimination based on regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, national origin, or any other protected status.

As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

The scope of responsibilities for this position includes the making or participating in the making of decisions that may have a material financial benefit on the incumbent. Therefore, you will be required to file an initial “Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interests” within thirty (30) days from date of hire and on an annual basis; and complete the CSU sponsored ethics on-line training within thirty (30) days of appointment, and at least once during each consecutive period of two calendar years following the appointment.

The person holding this position is considered a limited mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the requirement outlined in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017.

This position is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) position under the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. CSAs are responsible for reporting allegations of Clery Act Crimes reported to them or that they witness. CSA training is required.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

Multiple positions may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the applicant pool.

If you are applying for a staff position, please note that you are not eligible to work concurrently in a staff position and an Academic Student position such as a Graduate Assistant, Teaching Associate, Instructional Student Assistant, or Student Assistant position.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

Employee/applicant who applies for a position may be required to successfully complete job-related performance test(s) as part of the selection process.  

Online application/resume must be received by electronic submission on the final filing date by 9:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time)/midnight (Eastern Standard Time). Applicants who fail to complete all sections of the online application form will be disqualified from consideration. 

California State University, Fullerton is not currently sponsoring any new H-1B petitions for staff, management, or faculty positions.