Position Summary
Under general supervision, the Assistant Director of Development, Athletics is a journey-level fundraising professional responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts $25,000 and above, as well as participating in annual gift strategies. The position reports directly to the Associate Athletics Director, Development.
The Assistant Director will focus on maintaining and improving the effectiveness and results of solicitations for gifts to the Department of Athletics. The Assistant Director will work directly and independently with identified donors and will develop and manage projects and strategies. The position will also coordinate and support stewardship activities.
This position manages the process of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of leadership annual level prospects and donors. The Assistant Director will provide donors with customized, frequent, meaningful communication and involvement. Also, will ensure that all development activities are conducted in accordance with the fundraising policies and procedures set by the California State University system, SDSU, The Campanile Foundation and University Relations and Development.
This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, at-will position. This 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.
The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU 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.
Within URAD, the departments of Development, SDSU Alumni, Planned Giving, Special Events, Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Financial Management, Data Management, Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a difference in the lives of SDSU’s 37,000 students.
URAD had another record‐setting fundraising year in 2022‐2023 with $136.9M total raised. Other superlatives in 2022‐2023 include 16,534 total gifts, 2,254 scholarships awarded and 5,969 first‐time donors. The latest 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 working alongside SDSU’s visionary faculty and staff leaders, SDSU builds lifelong relationships with nearly 500,000 alumni, friends and the community that advance the mission of SDSU.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
University Relations and Development at San Diego State University is committed to upholding, as a foundational belief, a supportive working environment of inclusion that values, honors, and respects all members of our team and the University community.
We strive to engage in and promote the fair and equitable recruitment and training of URAD staff members, develop meaningful relationships with all groups in our diverse campus community, and share philanthropic stories that highlight the impact of and opportunity for diverse giving by our SDSU community.
University Relations and Development firmly believes that an inclusive environment facilitates critical and creative thinking, and that differences in identities, values, beliefs, and perspectives are fundamental to our mission of generating philanthropic support for the university and its student body.
Within University Relations and Development, the term diversity implies a respect for all and an understanding of individual differences and other characteristics protected by applicable state or federal law, so that all members of the community are treated at all times with dignity and respect.
We value diversity and inclusion in the working environment and believe it is vital to the fulfillment of the university’s mission.
The Department of Athletics
The Department of Athletics, utilizing the services of over 150 employees, is responsible for the intercollegiate athletics program at San Diego State University. Currently, there are 18 sport programs, approximately 450 student-athletes, and 17 offices in the department. The offices include the following: The Aztec Club, Administration, Athletic Medicine, Business Office, Compliance, Corporate Sales, Development, Equipment, Event Management/Facilities and Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Media Relations, Strength and Conditioning, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services, Ticket Office, and Video.