Executive Director of Advancement, West Coast

ASU Foundation for a New American University • CA Remote, CA

2d • $180,000 - $230,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Arizona State University (ASU) Foundation is seeking an entrepreneurial, strategic, and accomplished fundraising leader to serve as Executive Director of Advancement, West Coast. This role, based in California, will be a senior advancement leader responsible for building relationships with philanthropists, entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, alumni, and other partners in the region. The Executive Director will identify new networks of wealth and influence, understanding the distinct dynamics of the West Coast philanthropic landscape. This is a frontline fundraising and leadership role, involving personal cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of significant donors, as well as leading an experienced regional advancement team. The Executive Director will translate ASU's broad assets across various fields into compelling philanthropic opportunities. This is an opportunity to shape ASU's presence on the West Coast and build a culture of philanthropy aligned with the University's ambitions.

Requirements

• At least 10 years of successful development and related experience, preferably in higher education or another complex, mission-driven environment; bachelor's degree required and advanced degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success personally cultivating, soliciting, and closing seven-figure gifts; experience with larger principal or transformational gifts strongly valued.
• Proven ability to raise donor sights, articulate ambitious ideas, and translate institutional priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
• Deep knowledge of California and the West Coast philanthropic and business landscape, with established relationships and networks and the credibility to build new ones.
• Experience building relationships with high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, and other sophisticated external constituents.
• Demonstrated management experience, including the ability to lead experienced professionals, set direction, coach performance, and create accountability.
• Sound judgment and demonstrated ability to establish priorities and maintain focus amid numerous initiatives, constituencies, and opportunities.
• Intellectual curiosity, creativity, and entrepreneurial orientation, with the ability to understand opportunities across diverse academic, research, and programmatic areas and translate ideas and relationships into philanthropic results.
• Highly collaborative style and demonstrated ability to build trust and work across organizational boundaries in a complex, decentralized environment.
• Executive presence, maturity, integrity, discretion, and the ability to represent ASU effectively with senior institutional and external leaders.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to develop sophisticated proposals and related donor materials.
• Working knowledge of Salesforce or comparable donor/prospect management systems and a commitment to disciplined moves management and reporting.
• An advocate's belief in the vision of ASU as a New American University and enthusiasm for the University's Charter and mission.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred
• Experience with larger principal or transformational gifts strongly valued

Responsibilities

• Design and lead a comprehensive advancement strategy for California and the broader West Coast, establishing priorities that advance ASU's institutional and philanthropic goals.
• Build ASUF's philanthropic network across the region, identifying and engaging high-potential markets, emerging sources of wealth and influence, and individuals without an existing relationship to the University.
• Apply knowledge of the region to differentiate among markets, identify where ASU has the strongest philanthropic opportunities, and focus institutional resources accordingly.
• Develop a seamless and collaborative approach linking the ASU Foundation, ASU Alumni Association, Sun Devil Athletics, and other ASU units operating across the West Coast.
• Personally manage a significant portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding high-net-worth individuals through sophisticated, multi-year strategies that raise donor sights and lead to seven-figure+ commitments.
• Partner with constituent and central development officers, academic leaders, faculty, and other colleagues to connect donor interests with compelling opportunities across ASU.
• Develop effective cultivation, solicitation, proposal, and stewardship strategies and ensure disciplined prospect management and tracking.
• Meet ambitious personal and regional fundraising goals and provide timely reporting on progress, pipeline development, and solicitation results.
• Lead, coach, and develop an experienced West Coast advancement team, establishing clear priorities, expectations, accountability, and a shared focus on philanthropic results.
• Help team members strengthen portfolios, elevate donor strategies, raise sights, and pursue increasingly significant opportunities.
• Create an environment that encourages collaboration, initiative, sound judgment, and disciplined execution while providing directive leadership when needed.
• Allocate team attention and resources toward the relationships, markets, and activities with the greatest potential to advance ASU's philanthropic goals.
• Assess the structure and capacity of the West Coast advancement team over time, building the case for additional investment and thoughtfully growing the team.
• Serve as a senior advancement partner and emissary for ASU across the West Coast, representing the University with credibility, enthusiasm, and intellectual depth.
• Build trusted relationships with ASU leadership, including the President's Office, and work effectively across a highly entrepreneurial and decentralized university environment.
• Navigate competing ideas and opportunities with discernment, determining where the Executive Director and team can add the greatest philanthropic value.
• Bring together the right university leaders, faculty, programs, and advancement partners to connect donor interests and regional opportunities with ASU's institutional priorities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
• Parental leave
• 22 days of vacation time
• 11 holidays, including your birthday
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Significant tuition reductions
• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners; employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive