Working Title
Interim Associate Vice President of University Development
Administrator Level (for MPP positions only)
This position is an Administrator IV in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP), reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement.
SF State University
San Francisco State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons 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 veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager.
Applicants may visit titleix.sfsu.edu for more information on SF State's policy prohibiting discrimination, and how to file an online report using the procedures under Executive Order 1096 Revised. Inquiries can be directed to the campus Title IX Coordinator and Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Administrator by calling (415) 338-2032 or emailing vpsaem@sfsu.edu.
San Francisco State is a 100% Smoke/Vapor-Free Campus. Smoking or Vaping of any tobacco/plant-based substance is not permitted on any University properties.
The person holding this position may be 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 a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position may be required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Department
University Advancement - Development
Appointment Type
At-Will
Time Base
Full-Time (1.0)
Work Schedule
Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Anticipated Hiring Range
$15,833.00 - $17,083.00 Per Month ($189,996.00 - $204,996.00 Annually)
Salary is commensurate with experience.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement, the Interim Associate Vice President for Development is responsible for continuity in planning and implementing San Francisco State’s fundraising goals through strategic management and supporting solicitation of major individual donors, as well as corporate and foundation, and planned giving prospects. The incumbent will also support and contribute to the planning and implementation activities commensurate with the quiet phase of a new comprehensive campaign, which began in March 2025, with a working goal to secure $225 million in philanthropy by 2031. The incumbent will also personally cultivate and solicit major gifts and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects. This position offers an opportunity to lead and work with an exceptional team that shares a commitment to the transformative importance of mission-driven public higher education, ensuring strong continued momentum across the Development team and deep alignment with the rest of the Advancement division.
Position Information
- Provide leadership and oversight of a motivated and diverse team consisting of major gift officers; development staff in corporate and foundation relations and planned giving; as well as teams focused on development communications and donor relations, prospect research, and administrative support
- Maintain a strong collaborative and collegial culture across Development, championing an ethos of equity and inclusion, mutual respect, cooperation, cultural competency, and shared commitment to successful outcomes.
- Direct and manage all major gift fundraising, programs, and campaigns.
- Steward a limited portfolio of prospects and attain annual portfolio fundraising goals.
- Supervise and support Development personnel in establishing goals, objectives, performance standards, operating policies and procedures, and evaluation processes to monitor progress in achieving assigned goals.
- Serve as a resource and role model to staff on matters of prospect strategy and offer new approaches and techniques; seek to provide creative solutions to complex solicitations; rely on past experience in the field and remain current with evolving trends in philanthropy.
- Work with the Vice President of University Advancement to coordinate SF State Foundation board directors, define development priorities, and actively engage in development-related activities.
- Act as champion of the Development department, establishing strong relationships with University partners across the campus, sharing accomplishments, & interpreting development’s purpose and value externally.
- Identify ties to SFSU via specific corporate or foundation interests and through senior decision makers, alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and parents.
- Support relationships with existing donors in an effort to increase both current and planned gifts.
- Coordinate an effective program for donor recognition, involvement, and stewardship.
- Support effective marketing programs to maximize outreach and engender further interest in annual, major, capital and planned gift campaigns.
- Support clear annual goals, manage solicitation activities, and oversee the timely tracking and acknowledgment of all major gift donors and prospects.
- Facilitate relationships between potential and current donors and the University’s leadership, deans, faculty, staff, volunteers, and others.
- Manage productive relationships with other University Advancement units, including Strategic Marketing Communications, University Engagement and Alumni Relations, and Advancement Services & Operations.
- Oversee prospect and portfolio management processes that ensure maximum results by development officers, in particular in relation to the campaign prospect pipeline.
Campaign responsibilities include:
- Serving as a primary partner to the VP of Advancement regarding the campaign’s vision, execution plan, and overall structure.
- Overseeing the strategy and execution of the prospecting strategy outlined in the campaign plan, ensuring that new prospective donors are screened and entered fundraisers’ portfolios in a timely and effective manner.
- Directly supervise the Senior Director of Development serving as Campaign Manager, to ensure that the position fulfills all of its logistical responsibilities associated with keeping campaign workflows and timelines on track.
- Managing the hiring of campaign-specific positions, including five additional recommended positions for the Development team, and consulting closely with Alumni Relations on the addition of a position to that team.
- Serving as a primary contributor to all collateral campaigns, and overseeing its development by the Senior Director of Development for Development Communications, which reports directly to this position.
- Co-architecting campaign solicitation strategies with the VP of University Advancement for lead donors during the campaign’s quiet phase.
- Architecting a stewardship plan for campaign donors.
- Co-staffing the Campaign Steering Committee with the VP of University Advancement and securing campaign commitments from all committee members.
- Demonstrate behaviors that are in line with the User-Friendly Principles (P530C) and Principles of Conduct for a Multi-Cultural University (P30D).
- Demonstrate safe work practices for oneself, others, and the office environment.
Other Duties as Assigned
Qualifications
- A minimum of 8-10 years of experience in major gifts or fundraising or a similar background is required. Experience in higher education is strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in managing a prospect management and tracking system to ensure productivity and accountability.
- Proven track record in stewarding major gift donors.
- Proven success in leadership, management, and talent retention.
- Extensive knowledge of the corporate and foundation community.
- The ability to provide strong and innovative leadership in developing and implementing programs.
- Ability to persuade and motivate others, and to earn the respect and partnership of SFSU leadership and influential volunteers.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Technical knowledge in a variety of fundraising areas, especially planned giving.
- Function effectively as a member of a team; commitment to participating in activities and assignments that will benefit other members of the team or will contribute to the accomplishment of team objectives.
- Experience in the management of writing and editing persuasive materials, including grant proposals, information brochures, and letters.
- Computer literate and knowledge of university development databases/spreadsheets, including formulas and functions.
- A bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in experience is required.
- Must pass Live Scan background check.
Desired
- Leadership experience in a multi-year comprehensive campaign in higher education strongly preferred.
Pre-Employment Requirements
This position requires the successful completion of a background check.
Eligibility to Work
Applicants must be able to provide proof of US Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States, within three business days from their date of hire.
Benefits
Threaded through our Total Compensation package is a commitment to Bridging Life's Transitions. SF State is committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive program that rewards efforts that are appreciated by your colleagues, students and the customers we serve.
We offer a competitive compensation package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension, 401k, Healthcare Savings Account, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Vacation and Sick Leave as well as State Holidays and a dynamic Fee Waiver program, all geared towards the University's commitment to attract, motivate and retain our employee.
CSUEU Position (For CSUEU Positions Only)
Eligible and qualified on-campus applicants, currently in bargaining units 2, 5, 7, and 9 are given hiring preference.
Additional Information
SF STATE IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (i.e. H1-B VISAS).
Thank you for your interest in employment with California State University (CSU). CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. Because of this, CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California with very limited exception. While this position may be eligible for occasional telework, all work is expected to be performed in the state of California, and this position is assigned to on-campus operations.
CSU strongly encourages faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/.
The Human Resources office is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and can be reached at (415) 338-1872.
Please note that this position, position requirements, application deadline and/or any other component of this position is subject to change or cancellation at any time.