Position Summary

San Diego State University is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven Senior Director of Development, University Initiatives, to lead efforts in securing transformational philanthropic support for university-wide priorities. Part of the new University Initiatives team, this position will report to the Executive Director of Development for University Initiatives. This role focuses on building meaningful partnerships with alumni, community members, current donors, campus leaders, and external stakeholders to advance SDSU’s mission through principal-level gifts and high-impact initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Principal Gift Fundraising & Donor Engagement
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward principal-level donors, including individuals, corporations, and foundations.
  • Build and manage a high-level portfolio focused on gifts of $1M+ in support of university initiatives.
  • Evaluate giving opportunities and recommend strategies aligned with donor interests and institutional priorities.
• Strategy & Collaboration
  • Partner with campus leadership, faculty, and development colleagues to advance fundraising priorities and initiatives.
  • Contribute to principal gift strategy discussions, leadership meetings, and cross-campus initiatives.
• Representation & Relationship Management
  • Represent SDSU at donor meetings, events, and key internal and external engagements.
  • Strengthen relationships with alumni, community leaders, and partners to expand philanthropic support.
  • Ensure all fundraising activities align with CSU, SDSU, and foundation policies and best practices.

Why Join Us?

• Make a transformational impact – Play a leading role in securing major philanthropic investments that shape the future of SDSU and its students.
• Work at a top-tier institution – Join a nationally recognized development program committed to innovation, equity, and student success.
• Collaborative leadership environment – Partner with visionary campus leaders, faculty, and a dynamic development team to drive meaningful change.
• Engage a powerful network – Build relationships with a global community of more than 500,000 alumni, donors, and supporters.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

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 and attend off-campus appointments and events; occasional evening and weekend work, including duties outside of normal work hours, will be required.)
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 2 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

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and a minimum of ten (10) years of major gifts fundraising or closely related experience managing high-value, relationship-based revenue portfolios. Success in major gift fundraising (1,000,000+) that demonstrates an ability to align strategy development/implementation with pre-approved goals/priorities. Fundraising experience within a large, complex university or nonprofit organization.

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.
• A high degree of commitment to higher education and philanthropy and the ability to articulate a compelling case for annual support of a public institution of higher education.
• Demonstrated transferable skills from related advancement or relationship-based development roles.
• Demonstrated success participating in or contributing to comprehensive or capital campaigns is preferred.
• Experience with Planned Giving Programs is preferred.
• An advanced degree in a related field is preferred.

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 $130,000 to $140,000 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 April 29, 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. 

Education Code 89521 Requirements: 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.

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.