Chief Development Officer - Cal Poly Pomona

Elevate your career and create future-forward fundraising strategies as the Chief Development Officer at Cal Poly Pomona! In this newly created role, you'll serve as a trusted thought partner to the Vice President of University Advancement, leading the development of a sustainable philanthropic infrastructure rooted in innovation, authenticity, and long-term impact. You'll guide a high-performing team across both college-based and central advancement units to shape a bold, unified vision that reflects the university's deep commitment to its mission. With relocation assistance to the beautiful city of Pomona, CA, this is a rare opportunity to move from transactional fundraising to transformational leadership-perfect for someone hungry to build, eager to grow, and driven to lead with integrity!

Another Source's client, Cal Poly Pomona is recruiting a Chief Development Officer to join their University Advancement team in Pomona, CA.

Cal Poly Pomona is located on a historic 1,400-acre campus nestled in the beautiful San Gabriel Valley less than 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It is one of three polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State University system and among 12 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, the university has offered a unique education steeped in experiential learning. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the University is well-known for its Become-By-Doing philosophy.

About University Advancement

The Division of University Advancement at Cal Poly Pomona plays a vital role in strengthening the university's reputation and securing private support. Through meaningful engagement with alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, and the broader community, the division cultivates partnerships that advance the university's mission and long-term success.

University Advancement encompasses several key functions:

Advancement Services: Oversees alumni and donor records, prospect research, gift processing, and data analytics.

• Development: Includes college and program development, annual giving, planned giving, and corporate/foundation relations.

• Alumni and External Relations: Engages alumni, students, and the community through outreach and events-including university-wide celebrations like commencement.

• Government and Community Relations: Serves as the liaison to local, state, and federal officials, positioning the university as a regional and statewide leader.

The division also manages the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation (CPP-PF), which serves as the official entity for receiving and managing charitable contributions to the university.

Learn more about Cal Poly Pomona and University Advancement:

• https://www.cpp.edu/aboutcpp/index.shtml

• https://www.cpp.edu/giving/advancement-division/about-us.shtml

Salary range: The salary for this position will be $175,000 - $210,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

About the role:

The Associate Vice President (AVP) for University Development and Chief Development Officer serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President for University Advancement and a key architect of Cal Poly Pomona's philanthropic future. As the university enters a pivotal chapter of growth and possibility, the AVP will lead, manage, and inspire a dynamic team of fundraising professionals across its colleges and central development (corporate and foundation relations, planned giving and annual giving), cultivating a culture of collaboration, accountability, and bold vision.

In this inaugural role, the AVP will directly oversee units and functions within College and Program Development and Central Development and serve as a key liaison to the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation. This leader will shape and execute strategic fundraising plans that elevate private support, with oversight spanning major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, annual and planned giving, donor relations, and prospect development.

Beyond oversight of development staff and a portfolio of top prospects, the AVP will act as a chief collaborator, bringing together academic leadership, advancement staff, and university partners to align philanthropic investment with institutional priorities. This role also anchors cross-functional collaboration with Advancement Operations, Alumni Relations, and Government and Community Relations.

How you will spend your time:

Strategic Leadership & Team Development

• Serve as a strategic leader to strengthen the culture of philanthropy at Cal Poly Pomona, and advance a culture of performance excellence within University Advancement.

• Leverage inclusive storytelling and strong communication skills to articulate Cal Poly Pomona's mission, vision, and values in ways that resonate with diverse audiences and inspire philanthropic engagement across a broad range of stakeholders.

• Oversee college and unit-based Directors of Development and Central Development, including foundation and corporate relations, planning and annual giving efforts.

• Coach and develop high-performing teams through strategic mentorship, clear goal alignment, and impactful performance management.

• Drive cohesive strategy development and execution across Advancement units, ensuring alignment with the university's top fundraising priorities and long-term vision.

• Champion best practices in prospect management and ensure organizational accountability through the consistent application of Advancement policies and procedures.

Strategy & Major Gift Development

• Lead the development and implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies.

• Personally manage a portfolio of high-level prospects and work in close partnership with university leadership (VP for Advancement, President, Provost, Deans) to cultivate and solicit transformational gifts.

• Serve as strategist and thought partner on eight-figure+ prospects (including the development of a principal gift program).

• Model performance-based metrics and ROI-aligned engagement.

Cross-Campus & Campaign Collaboration

• Act as a chief collaborator and connector -bringing together academic leadership, Advancement Services, Institutional Engagement, Strategic Communications, key external partners, and strategic consultants to strengthen alignment, elevate donor engagement, and prepare for future campaign readiness and capital initiatives.

• Build a philanthropic community that reflects CPP's values by intentionally connecting philanthropic efforts and interests with diverse community needs.

• Champion reciprocal relationships across a variety of stakeholders and communities to advance shared goals.

• Advance interdisciplinary fundraising initiatives and monitor key working groups and tiger teams.

Foundation & Board Engagement

• Serve as one of the staff liaisons to the Cal Poly Pomona Philanthropic Foundation, with primary responsibility for the Donor Engagement and Stewardship Committee.

• Support board operations, engagement strategy, governance practices, and recruitment processes.

• Foster an inclusive and high-performing board culture that advances university fundraising goals and aspirations, including strategic alignment of the Philanthropic Foundation Board of Directors and College-Based Advisory Boards.

Administrative Leadership & Planning

• Serve as a senior member of the Advancement leadership team.

• Contribute to divisional strategic planning and operational excellence.

• Collaborate with Advancement Services to ensure adherence to prospect management protocols, stewardship processes, and systems optimization.

• Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Advancement.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.

• Five (5) years of professional experience as a seasoned performance-driven senior development officer of a higher education or nonprofit institution which may include major gifts, planned giving, and capital campaigns.

• Five (5) years of management or supervisory experience.

• Demonstrated ability to be an effective team builder with a strong commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and partnership with the internal and external community.

• Proven ability to cultivate positive working relationships across cultural, functional, and organizational lines.

• Proven success in major gift fundraising, including donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

• Demonstrated ability to oversee major gift programs and stewardship efforts with creativity and accountability.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited university

• 5-8 years of management or supervisory experience with major gift program with performance-driven metrics and accountability.

• Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) certification

• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to build a philanthropic community that reflects CPP's values; intentionally connect philanthropic efforts and interests with diverse community needs.

Application Details:

Another Source is assisting Cal Poly Pomona in this search. To be fully considered and apply, please visit Another Source's website at: https://careers-anothersource.icims.com/jobs/102056/chief-development-officer---cal-poly-pomona/job

Prospective candidates may arrange a confidential conversation about this opportunity with Senior Talent Strategist: Dayna Brown at dayna@anothersource.com

The Search Committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who submit complete application materials by June 18, 2025.

A complete application package will include:

1. A letter of interest addressing how the candidate's experiences match the position requirements;
2. A current CV/resume;
3. Contact information for at least three (3) professional references, including email addresses and a brief note of the candidate's working relationship with each. References will be contacted with candidate's approval at a later stage in the search process.

Why a career with CSU is for You:

The CSU system offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary: https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf

• Immerse yourself: Being on campus allows you to enjoy renowned sporting events, artist events, world-renowned speakers. Stroll through trails, museums, and enjoy all campus has to offer.

• 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.

• Mission driven culture: Transforming the lives of a diverse student body, including first-generation students and under-represented communities.

• Jury duty: The CSU will continue an employee's salary while they are on jury duty, regardless of length of jury service.

• CalPERS Retirement Plan: CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement pension plan. Lifetime medical benefits for you, your spouse, or registered domestic partner. Learn more here: http://www.calpers.ca.gov/

• 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan (Similar to a 401k plan)

• Employees in this classification are entitled to two vacation days (16 hours) per month.

• A healthier you. Access to athletic and gym facilities on campus

• Transportation support. Pre-tax commuter benefits

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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