Director of Development, CAFES

Job Summary

The Director of Development will serve as a professional in the college to cultivate and solicit alumni, parents, friends, employers, foundations and corporations for contributions. The incumbent will participate in a comprehensive college-based development program by identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting major gifts; understand and comply with the policies, procedures and best practices established by University Development; foster successful major gift fundraising by preparing academic leaders to participate routinely and effectively in development activities and prospect appointments; and participate in college based programs that identify and encourage relationships with donors, prospects and alumni.

The Director of Development reports directly to the Senior Director of Development and will work in collaboration with the CAFES Assistant Dean for Advancement and External Relations, and University Development and Alumni Engagement. This job involves participating in short and long-term development initiatives across the college. This includes participating in fundraising and public relations campaigns that align with the college's mission and vision.

Department Summary

The university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is comprised of expert faculty members who take pride in their ability to transform academically motivated students into innovative professionals ready to solve the complex challenges associated with feeding the world in sustainable ways. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, including organic and conventional crop land, orchards, vineyards, forests, and rangeland, all of which provide the basis for Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing methodology. It is the fifth-largest college of agriculture in the country with more than 4,100 undergraduate students.

The role of the University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE) Division is to foster strong relationships with external partners while enhancing support for Cal Poly. University Development and Alumni Engagement does this by implementing an overall advancement program that includes alumni and parent engagement, community outreach, coordinated fundraising efforts, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, training and systems support for the donor database, and Cal Poly Foundation support and administration.

Key Qualifications

• Previous capital campaign, major gift cultivation and/or donor solicitation experience.
• Experience and success in major gifts fundraising, marketing, planned giving, or other related professional field, preferably in a university setting or other fast paced and dynamic environment.
• Experience in developing and cultivating major gift donor contacts within the development community.
• Knowledge of the financial structure of donations, to include cash, gifts-in-kind, stocks, and securities.
• Knowledge of prospect management systems, fiscal administration, and volunteer development.
• Ability to perform record keeping, using principles of accounting, budgeting, etc.
• Ability to draft complex proposals to corporations, private foundations, and individuals that include detailed goals, work plans and evaluative mechanisms.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines. Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, prioritize, and effectively execute multiple activities and events, and meet established 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.
• Ability to use sound judgment, discretion, tact, and a willingness to take initiative. Ability to represent Cal Poly and University Development in a positive manner on campus and with external constituencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interact and communicate with diverse constituencies both inside and outside the University, while maintaining a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to write and speak persuasively about Scholarship and/or the University. Ability to write concisely and clearly, edit and rewrite materials submitted by others, to revise documents quickly to meet deadlines, and make effective presentations. Ability to produce professional documents that meet high standards for appearance, grammar, spelling, and clarity. Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Ability to maintain high standards of conduct and confidentiality dealing with various internal and external constituencies.
• Ability to participate in the execution of a complex fundraising program.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree and a minimum of four years of progressively responsible professional experience in development, major gifts fundraising, donor relations, marketing, planned giving or other related professional experience with two years being direct fundraising experience.
• 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 $89,250 - $122,850. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

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 .

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly 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. Cal Poly 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.

Cal Poly 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 Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly 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. 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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

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.

Advertised: May 23 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

• 

• California Polytechnic State University

• 805-756-2236

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