Cal Poly Pomona is located on a historic 1,400-acre campus nestled in the beautiful San Gabriel Valley less than 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It is one of three polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, the university has offered a unique education steeped in experiential learning. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the University is well-known for its Become-By-Doing philosophy.
About University Advancement
The Division of University Advancement at Cal Poly Pomona plays a vital role in strengthening the university’s reputation and securing private support. Through meaningful engagement with alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, and the broader community, the division cultivates partnerships that advance the university’s mission and long-term success.
University Advancement encompasses several key functions:
- Advancement Services: Oversees alumni and donor records, prospect research, gift processing, and data analytics.
- Development: Includes college and program development, annual giving, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations.
- Alumni and External Relations: Engages alumni, students, and the community through outreach and events—including university-wide celebrations like commencement.
- Government and Community Relations: Serves as the liaison to local, state, and federal officials, positioning the university as a regional and statewide leader.
The division also manages the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation (CPP-PF), which serves as the official entity for receiving and managing charitable contributions to the university.
Salary range: The salary for this position will be $175,000 - $210,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
About the role:
The Chief Development Officer(CDO) serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President for University Advancement and a key architect of Cal Poly Pomona's philanthropic future. As the university enters a pivotal chapter of growth and possibility, the CDO will lead, manage, and inspire a dynamic team of fundraising professionals across its colleges and central development (corporate and foundation relations, planned giving and annual giving), cultivating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and bold vision.
In this inaugural role, the CDO will directly oversee units and functions within College and Program Development and Central Development and serve as a key liaison to the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation. This leader will shape and execute strategic fundraising plans that elevate private support, with oversight spanning major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, annual and planned giving, donor relations, and prospect development.
Beyond oversight of development staff and a portfolio of top prospects, the CDO will act as a chief collaborator, bringing together academic leadership, advancement staff, and university partners to align philanthropic investment with institutional priorities. This role also anchors cross-functional collaboration with Advancement Operations, Alumni Relations, and Government and Community Relations.
How you will spend your time:
Strategic Leadership & Team Development
- Serve as a strategic leader to strengthen the culture of philanthropy at Cal Poly Pomona, and advance a culture of performance excellence within University Advancement.
- Leverage inclusive storytelling and strong communication skills to articulate Cal Poly Pomona’s mission, vision, and values in ways that resonate with diverse audiences and inspire philanthropic engagement across a broad range of stakeholders.
- Oversee college and unit-based Directors of Development and Central Development, including foundation and corporate relations, planning and annual giving efforts.
- Coach and develop high-performing teams through strategic mentorship, clear goal alignment, and impactful performance management.
- Drive cohesive strategy development and execution across Advancement units, ensuring alignment with the university’s top fundraising priorities and long-term vision.
- Champion best practices in prospect management and ensure organizational accountability through the consistent application of Advancement policies and procedures.
Strategy & Major Gift Development
- Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies.
- Personally manage a portfolio of high-level prospects and work in close partnership with university leadership (VP for Advancement, President, Provost, Deans) to cultivate and solicit transformational gifts.
- Serve as strategist and thought partner on eight-figure+ prospects (including the development of a principal gift program).
- Model performance-based metrics and ROI-aligned engagement.
Cross-Campus & Campaign Collaboration
- Act as a chief collaborator and connector —bringing together academic leadership, Advancement Services, Institutional Engagement, Strategic Communications, key external partners, and strategic consultants to strengthen alignment, elevate donor engagement, and prepare for future campaign readiness and capital initiatives.
- Build a philanthropic community that reflects CPP’s values by intentionally connecting philanthropic efforts and interests with diverse community needs.
- Champion reciprocal relationships across a variety of stakeholders and communities to advance shared goals.
- Advance interdisciplinary fundraising initiatives and monitor key working groups and tiger teams.
Foundation & Board Engagement
- Serve as one of the staff liaisons to the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, with primary responsibility for the Donor Engagement and Stewardship Committee.
- Support board operations, engagement strategy, governance practices, and recruitment processes.
- Foster an inclusive and high-performing board culture that advances university fundraising goals and aspirations, including strategic alignment of the Philanthropic Foundation Board of Directors and College-Based Advisory Boards.
Administrative Leadership & Planning
- Serve as a senior member of the Advancement leadership team.
- Contribute to divisional strategic planning and operational excellence.
- Collaborate with Advancement Services to ensure adherence to prospect management protocols, stewardship processes, and systems optimization.
- Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Advancement.
What you will bring:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
- Five (5) years of professional experience as a seasoned performance-driven senior development officer of a higher education or nonprofit institution which may include major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns.
- Five (5) years of management or supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated ability to be an effective team builder with a strong commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and partnership with the internal and external community.
- Proven ability to cultivate positive working relationships across cultural, functional, and organizational lines.
- Proven success in major gift fundraising, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Demonstrated ability to oversee major gift programs and stewardship efforts with creativity and accountability.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree from an accredited university
- 5-8 years of management or supervisory experience with major gift program with performance-driven metrics and accountability.
- Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification
- Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to build a philanthropic community that reflects CPP's values; intentionally connect philanthropic efforts and interests with diverse community needs.
Application Details:
Another Source is assisting Cal Poly Pomona in this search. To be fully considered and apply, please visit Another Source’s website at: https://careers-anothersource.icims.com/jobs/102056/chief-development-officer---cal-poly-pomona/job
Prospective candidates may arrange a confidential conversation about this opportunity with Senior Talent Strategist: Dayna Brown at dayna@anothersource.com
The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit complete application materials by June 18, 2025.
A complete application package will include:
- A letter of interest addressing how the candidate’s experiences match the position requirements;
- A current CV/resume;
- Contact information for at least three (3) professional references, including email addresses and a brief note of the candidate’s working relationship with each. References will be contacted with candidate’s approval at a later stage in the search process.
The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU’s mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California’s schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU’s business operations almost exclusively reside within California. The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. For more information, go to the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy.
Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment to final job candidates, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any information that the applicant submits for consideration regarding the criminal conviction history such as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate’s conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. For more information, go to the CSU Background Check Policy.
Employment Eligibility Verification
Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. For more information, go to the Acceptable I-9 website.
University Driving Requirements
Positions that require driving for university business by using a personal or state vehicle must comply with the Authorized University Driver Policy. Driving records are monitored and evaluated by the Risk Management Department. The Risk Management Department evaluates a good driving report based on the following criteria. The driver must: 1. Have a valid California or other State Driver’s license. 2. Have no more than 3 motor vehicle violations or been the cause of 3 accidents in a 12-month period (or any combination of 3 thereof) 3. Not have more than 3 DMV Points, if their license is Class C or, 4. Not have more than 5 DMV Points, if their license is Class A, B, or C with endorsements. For more information, go to the Authorized University Driver Policy.
This position is a “designated position” in the California State University’s Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file financial interest disclosure forms subject to state regulations. For more information, go to the CSU's Conflict of Interest Policy.
Outside Employment Disclosure
Executive and Management Plan Personnel employees must disclose all current outside employment at the time of hire as a precondition of hire and at the following times after hire: annually in July, within 30 days of accepting outside employment, and upon their manager’s request. For more information, go to the Outside Employment Disclosure Policy.
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)
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. See policy at the Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting policy.
Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination
As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. For more information, see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision poster.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at ADACoordinator@cpp.edu. For more information, go to Employment Notices.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly Pomona provides equal opportunity in 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 employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Pomona 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.
