Associate Athletic Director, Development (Administrator I)

Position Summary

San Diego State University is looking for a strategic fundraising leader and relationship builder to serve as Associate Athletic Director Development. In this role you will help advance the mission of SDSU Athletics and the Aztec Club by securing philanthropic support strengthening donor relationships and leading major gift initiatives that enhance the student-athlete experience and support the long-term success of Aztec Athletics. Working closely with Athletics and University Relations and Development leadership you will play a key role in driving fundraising strategy and revenue growth for the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Major Gift Fundraising & Donor Engagement
  • Manage a portfolio of 150 major gift prospects and oversee the full donor lifecycle including identification qualification cultivation solicitation and stewardship.
  • Secure major and planned gifts in support of SDSU Athletics priorities and initiatives.
  • Develop and implement donor strategies in collaboration with Athletics leadership development professionals coaches and volunteers.
  • Represent SDSU Athletics and the university in donor meetings events and community engagements.
• Athletics Development Leadership
  • Help establish and execute short- and long-term fundraising goals for Athletics Development.
  • Provide strategic direction for donor cultivation and stewardship efforts in partnership with Athletics Development and URAD teams.
  • Oversee the Assistant Director Development role and support the continued growth and effectiveness of Athletics Development operations.
  • Collaborate with leadership to strengthen fundraising programs and advance departmental priorities.
• Planned Giving & Endowment Support
  • Oversee athletics endowed scholarship and planned giving initiatives including the Coryell Legacy Society program.
  • Coordinate and execute signature donor engagement events including the annual Coryell Legacy Society Dinner.
  • Support strategies that encourage long-term philanthropic investment in SDSU Athletics.
• Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement
  • Build and maintain relationships with alumni donors volunteers community leaders and university stakeholders.
  • Serve as an ambassador for SDSU Athletics and advocate for the needs of student-athletes.
  • Collaborate across the university to advance fundraising priorities donor engagement and campus partnerships.
  • Support special projects and initiatives that contribute to the success of Athletics Development and the broader university mission.

Why Join Us

• Make a lasting impact on student-athletes Help secure the philanthropic support that enhances opportunities resources and experiences for SDSU student-athletes.
• Lead fundraising efforts for a nationally recognized athletics program Play a key role in advancing the future of Aztec Athletics through major gifts planned giving and donor engagement.
• Build meaningful relationships Connect with alumni supporters community leaders and university partners who are passionate about SDSU Athletics.
• Join a collaborative leadership team Work alongside Athletics and University Relations and Development leaders to shape strategy drive growth and strengthen the universitys impact through philanthropy.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what its like to work at the CSUwatch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• This is a full-time at-will role offering comprehensive benefits.
• 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. (Ability to travel and attend off-campus appointments and events. Evening weekend and other work outside of normal business hours is required to support events and departmental needs.)
• The individual hired into this role will work in the Experience Center in the Mission Valley area of San Diego.

Department Summary

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the universitys vision and mission underscored in the SDSU 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. The departments of Development SDSU Alumni Planned and Annual Giving Special Events and Donor Relations Marketing and Communications Financial Management Data Management Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a tangible difference in the lives of more than 40000 students.

Our fundraising success can be credited to the universitys 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 communitys 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 in collaboration with SDSUs visionary faculty and staff the university cultivates lifelong relationships with more than 500000 alumni friends and community membersadvancing SDSUs mission for generations to come.

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 425 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.

For more information regarding the University Relations and Development department click here.

For more information regarding the Athletics department click here.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree or equivalent in a relevant field or combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of major gifts fundraising or closely related experience managing high-value relationship-based revenue portfolios.
• Demonstrated success closing relationship-based commitments of $50000 (one-time or cumulative over time) preferably in a philanthropic setting.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated success as a development professional in a donor-centered fundraising environment.
• Experience across multiple areas of advancement including prospect management annual giving donor relations communications gift administration and gift acceptance.
• Ability to research analyze and interpret biographical corporate foundation and philanthropic information to support fundraising strategies.
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with donors volunteers campus partners and external stakeholders while representing the university professionally.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic evolving and goal-oriented organizational environment.
• University employees that have direct job responsibilities involving intercollegiate athletics are expected to have knowledge and understanding of NCAA conference and University rules policies and procedures governing intercollegiate athletics. Additionally he or she is required to notify the appropriate personnel of any knowledge of or should have known of any violation or suspected violation of NCAA conference or University regulations. The University reserves the right and option to terminate or suspend a staff member with or without salary payment for cause at any time. Failure to comply with any of the terms or conditions of the contract is considered cause.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in a related field.
• Experience fundraising within a large complex university or intercollegiate athletics environment.
• Experience managing a large portfolio of major gift prospects and successfully upgrading donors to higher levels of philanthropic support.
• Experience with comprehensive or capital campaigns and fundraising technology platforms such as Salesforce Paciolan Ticketmaster or Ellucian.

Licenses/Certifications Required

Valid California Drivers License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Compensation and Benefits

At San Diego State University we value our team members and offer a competitive salary that reflects your qualifications and experience. But thats just the beginning! Our exceptional benefits package is designed to support your well-being and work-life balance:

• Generous Leave Benefits:Enjoy 15 paid holidays 24 vacation days and 12 sick days per year.
• Retirement Security:Benefit from a CalPERS defined benefit pension plan with reciprocity with the UC Retirement Plan plus retiree healthcare benefits.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage:Access a variety of health dental and vision plans at no or low cost to you.
• Educational Opportunities:Take advantage of the California State University system fee reduction program for yourself or a qualified dependent.
• Voluntary Benefits: Opt into additional benefits like Auto & Home Insurance Life and Disability Insurances a Legal Plan Pet Insurance and the ScholarShare 529 Plan for college savings.

The expected hiring salary for this position ranges from $105000 to $115000 annually.

SDSU Values

At SDSU our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSUs Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race sex color ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws San Diego State University (SDSU) 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. SDSU 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 Californias Proposition 209 (Art. I Section 31 of the California Constitution) other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws and CSUs 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.

SDSU 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 SDSU excellence is built on merit talent diversity accessibility and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by July 9 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis and the position will remain open until filled.

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.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g. H-1B visa).Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a persons identity and authorization to work in the United States which are consistent with the provisions of theImmigration Reform and Control Act.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicants current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU 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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information please click here.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Livia Peeples at .