Job Summary

Under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Administration and Engagement, the Director of Gift Administration is responsible for oversight, supervision and leadership of the Gift Administration Department. The Gift Administration team is responsible for directing all gift processing functions and related biographical updates for campus fundraising activities. Gift Administration processes more than 15,000 gifts and pledges annually and the department structure currently includes five professional staff positions. The Director will be responsible for the oversight and leadership of the department, including its budget, and will play a key role in developing processes and policies that align with Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and accounting standards and IRS guidelines and assist with the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) implementation.  

Department Summary

The role of the University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) Division is to foster strong relationships with internal and external partners to enhance support for Cal Poly. University Development and Alumni Engagement establishes and implements an overall advancement program, including coordinating fundraising, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, training and systems support for the donor database, and Cal Poly Foundation support and administration. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are core values at Cal Poly and UDAE is committed to a continuous process of learning and updating practices to support systemic evolution toward equity, diversity, and inclusion for our team and constituents. 

Key Qualifications

Ability to plan, implement, and manage a variety of projects simultaneously.  This involves a high level of independent thinking, creativity, sensitivity to changing priorities, an understanding of the principles of philanthropy and enthusiasm for a dynamic and changing work environment. 

Extensive knowledge of electronic databases employed in providing Gift Administration and annual fund solicitations. 

Knowledge of the financial structure of donations, to include cash, gifts-in-kind, stocks, and securities.   

Ability to perform record keeping, using principles of accounting, budgeting, etc.   

Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.  Ability to interpret, communicate, and apply policies and procedures. Ability to analyze information and data from a variety of sources and present information and recommend solutions.  

Education and Experience

A bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5 years of progressively responsible experience in management with at least three years of aggregate experience in Development Support Services. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. 

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $85,000 - $120,000. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

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.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).