Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development - Cal State Long Beach
About The Position
Another Source is partnering with Cal State Long Beach to recruit their next Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development. This role serves as the chief fundraising leader for Beach Athletics and is a key member of both the University Development Division and the Athletics senior leadership team. It offers a unique opportunity to bridge Advancement and Athletics, partnering closely with University Development leadership and the Executive Director of Athletics to expand philanthropic support, strengthen donor relationships, and help drive the long-term success of a premier NCAA Division I athletic program. The position is responsible for leading the comprehensive athletics fundraising program, with a strong emphasis on securing major gifts of $50,000+ and principal gifts of $1 million+. The position leads a team of six, including two direct reports within Athletics Development, while also providing sport supervision for an NCAA Division I men's and women's program. The role involves working closely with university leadership, coaches, donors, alumni, and community partners to strengthen philanthropic support, advance strategic priorities, and help position Long Beach State Athletics for long-term success. In addition to personally managing a major gift portfolio, the individual will provide leadership for athletics development operations, annual and planned giving initiatives, donor engagement, and a high-performing development team.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree.
- Five or more years of successful major gift fundraising experience, including donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Demonstrated knowledge of comprehensive fundraising, including major gifts, annual giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, prospect research, proposal development, and donor engagement.
- Excellent relationship-building, communication, and presentation skills.
- Strong organizational, planning, and strategic thinking abilities.
- Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience with the ability to develop and motivate high-performing teams.
- Ability to build productive partnerships with campus leaders, coaches, alumni, volunteers, and external constituents.
- Proficiency with CRM systems and standard business applications.
- Valid California driver's license.
Nice To Haves
- Experience fundraising for an NCAA Division I athletics program.
- Experience leading comprehensive athletics fundraising initiatives within higher education.
- Demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts.
- Experience developing fundraising strategies that leverage data, analytics, and donor insights.
Responsibilities
- Lead Long Beach State Athletics' comprehensive philanthropic strategy, overseeing major gifts, annual giving, planned giving, donor stewardship, campaigns, and fundraising operations.
- Personally manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $25,000+ with a focus on gifts above $100,000, including principal gifts at the $1 million+ level from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
- Develop and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies that deepen donor engagement and increase philanthropic investment.
- Supervise and mentor athletics development staff while fostering a collaborative, high-performing fundraising culture.
- Partner with Athletics, University Relations and Development, coaches, and campus leadership to align fundraising priorities with institutional goals.
- Lead fundraising efforts supporting scholarships, capital projects, facility enhancements, and comprehensive campaigns.
- Serve as a member of the Executive Director of Athletics' Senior Staff, contributing to strategic planning and department-wide leadership.
- Serve as Sport Supervisor for assigned programs, providing leadership and oversight while ensuring compliance with NCAA, conference, and university regulations.
- Represent Long Beach State Athletics with alumni, corporate partners, volunteers, donors, and community stakeholders to strengthen relationships and expand philanthropic support.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary.
- Tuition waiver: up to 2 courses, or 6 units, per semester for employee, spouse, registered domestic partner or eligible dependent child for any of the 23 campuses.
- Jury duty pay continuation.
- CalPERS Retirement Plan (defined benefit retirement pension plan).
- Lifetime medical benefits for employee, spouse, or registered domestic partner.
- 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (Similar to a 401k plan).
- Two vacation days (16 hours) per month.
- Access to athletic and gym facilities on campus.
- Pre-tax commuter benefits.
- Relocation support is available.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
