Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development - Cal State Long Beach

Another Source • Long Beach, CA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Help shape the future of Division I Athletics while advancing your own leadership career. Another Source is partnering with Cal State Long Beach to recruit their next Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development —the chief fundraising leader for Beach Athletics and a key member of both the University Development Division and the Athletics senior leadership team. This is 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 one of California's premier NCAA Division I athletic programs.

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is one of the nation's leading public universities, recognized for its commitment to student success, academic excellence, and community impact. As part of the California State University system, CSULB provides students with transformational educational experiences while fostering innovation, inclusion, and meaningful engagement across Southern California. Long Beach State Athletics sponsors 19 NCAA Division I varsity sports and supports student-athletes competing at the highest level. With a proud tradition of competitive success and a passionate alumni and fan base, the department is focused on creating transformational opportunities for student-athletes while strengthening the philanthropic support that fuels scholarships, facilities, and championship aspirations.

As philanthropic support becomes increasingly important in collegiate athletics, the Senior Associate AD, Development will play a critical role in building the relationships and resources that position Long Beach State Athletics for continued success.

The University Relations and Development (URD) division at CSU Long Beach builds relationships and generates resources that strengthen the university’s capacity to achieve its mission. The development team partners closely with colleges, university leadership, alumni, donors, corporations, and foundations to advance philanthropic support across the institution. Through strategic fundraising, donor engagement, and cross-campus collaboration, the team works to foster a strong culture of philanthropy that supports student success, innovation, and institutional priorities. The team is focused on building meaningful, long-term relationships that deepen alumni and donor connection to the university.

The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $135,000- $150,000, commensurate with experience. Relocation support is available.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for University Development and serving as a member of the Executive Director of Athletics' senior leadership team, the Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development serves as the department's chief athletics development officer. This executive leadership 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. In addition to coaching staff, the sport supervision portfolio includes assistant coaching staff and student assistants, providing leadership and operational oversight that extends beyond fundraising into the broader success of the athletics department. You'll work 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, you'll 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: Lifetime medical benefits for you, your 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.
• Transportation support.
• Pre-tax commuter benefits.

What This Job Offers

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