Cal Poly Pomona is recruiting their next Executive Director to lead the historic W.K. Kellogg Center, as it approaches its 100th anniversary. You will lead strategic growth, financial sustainability, and public engagement across California and beyond by driving fundraising, launching innovative academic and equine programs, and expanding campus-wide and public-facing impact. Ideal for entrepreneurial leaders with a proven track record in strategic program growth, fundraising, and stakeholder engagement. Relocation assistance to sunny Southern California is available to help you get started.
Description: What You'll be Doing
Another Source’s client, Cal Poly Pomona is recruiting an Executive Director, WK Kellogg Center to join their team onsite in Pomona, CA.
Lead the Next Century of an Iconic Legacy
The W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center is entering an exciting new era of growth and revitalization, driven by strong university leadership, a $25M master plan, and the momentum of its 100th anniversary. The next Executive Director will have a pivotal opportunity to build on this foundation — strengthening the Center’s strategic and financial position, expanding its academic and public impact, and elevating its visibility across the state and beyond.
Salary range: The salary for this position will be $135,000- $150,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Relocation assistance is available.
About the Role
Whether you're a seasoned executive or an emerging leader ready to take the next significant step in your career, this is a rare opportunity to shape the future of one of the nation’s most iconic equine institutions. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and working in close collaboration with the Dean of the Huntley College of Agriculture, the Executive Director will guide the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center as both a vital campus resource and a high-profile public-facing entity.
This is a strategic leadership position, not an equine operations role. We’re seeking a visionary leader with a background in nonprofit or institutional management, program growth, external partnerships, and fundraising. A dedicated team of equine professionals manages all day-to-day horse care and operations, enabling the Executive Director to focus on long-term strategy, visibility, and impact.
The Executive Director will operate with the scope and versatility of a nonprofit CEO — blending strategic planning, financial oversight, advancement, and innovation within the context of a dynamic public university and a nationally recognized legacy program.
How you will spend your time:
Strategic Leadership & Vision
- Lead the continued transformation and revitalization of the W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center through a bold, future-focused strategy that aligns with Cal Poly Pomona’s mission and values.
- Serve as the primary ambassador for the Center, strengthening its reputation both within the university and across the broader public, industry, and philanthropic communities.
- Shape the long-term vision in collaboration with university leadership, aligning priorities across academic, philanthropic, and operational spheres.
Revenue Generation, Fundraising & External Partnerships
- Drive revenue-generating initiatives through philanthropic partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and innovative program development (e.g., experiential leadership offerings, partnerships with TeachingHorse LLC).
- Cultivate and steward relationships with donors, alumni, and key industry partners to secure sustainable financial resources.
- Strengthen ties with the Arabian Horse Advisory Board and Cal Poly Pomona’s Philanthropic Board to advance shared priorities.
Programmatic & Academic Integration
- Deepen integration of the Center’s work into Cal Poly Pomona’s academic enterprise, supporting experiential learning, interdisciplinary partnerships, and student success initiatives.
- Enhance opportunities for students across disciplines through co-curricular programs, clinics, internships, and research activities.
- Collaborate with faculty and academic leaders to elevate the Center’s role in education, research, and leadership development.
Operational Oversight & Organizational Management
- Oversee high-level operations, staffing, and financial management of the Center, ensuring sustainability and excellence in animal care, facilities, and programming.
- Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of professionals, fostering a collaborative, mission-aligned, and high-performance culture.
- Ensure operational alignment with university policies, compliance standards, and best practices.
Community Engagement & Public Programming
- Expand the visibility and impact of the Center through public-facing programs, including the beloved Sunday Shows, and through strategic outreach efforts.
- Serve as a thought leader and connector, fostering partnerships with local, regional, and state organizations focused on education, agriculture, and community engagement.
What you will bring:
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, business, higher education administration, leadership studies, or a related field.
- Demonstrated success in leading complex organizations or programs, with the ability to engage in thought partnership with key stakeholders, effectively influence to gain alignment on key tactics and strategies, and articulate and execute a clear vision aligned with institutional goals.
- Proven ability to design, launch, and scale mission-aligned programs that engage diverse stakeholders and generate new opportunities for institutional impact.
- Track record of securing philanthropic gifts, corporate sponsorships, and/or revenue from programmatic offerings; skilled in donor cultivation, stewardship, and external partnership development.
- Strong experience in managing budgets, personnel, and multi-faceted programs in alignment with compliance, financial, and strategic planning frameworks.
- Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills; able to represent the Center and university effectively to media, donors, campus partners, and the broader community.
- Ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, build coalitions across departments, and foster an inclusive, high-performing workplace culture.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree or higher in leadership, business administration, public administration, public affairs, education, or a related field.
- Demonstrated ability to identify market opportunities, create value-driven programming, and lead growth-oriented initiatives in mission-based settings.
- Understanding of university structures and experience building programs within academic or educational institutions, including partnership with teaching units, research and/or clinical administration.
- Experience forming mutually beneficial partnerships with external organizations, industry leaders, community groups, or academic collaborators.
- Proficiency in designing and promoting public-facing programs, events, or services to expand visibility and attract diverse audiences.
- Familiarity with the cultural and historical significance of equine programs and their role in educational and leadership development contexts.
Why a career with CSU is for You:
The CSU system offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf
Out of State Work
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.
Background Check
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.
CSU Classification Salary Range
This position is part of the Management Personnel Plan (MPP) bargaining unit M80. The CSU Classification Standards for this position are located on the CSU Classification Standards website. The CSU Salary Schedule is located on the CSU Salary Schedule website. The classification salary range for this position according to the respective skill level is: minimum $5,053 and maximum $16,221 per month. Please refer to the anticipated hiring range for the appropriate salary rate for this particular position.
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.
Conflict of Interest
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.
Security & Fire Safety
In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona’s Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing at: https://www.cpp.edu/pdfs/annual_security_report.pdf and https://www.cpp.edu/housing/documents/fire_safety_report.pdf.
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.
Reasonable Accommodation
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.
Other Notices
For other important employment notices, we invite you to visit Cal Poly Pomona’s Employment Notices web page.
