Associate Athletic Director, Development (Administrator I)

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.

• →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.

• 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.

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the university’s 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 40,000 students.

Our fundraising success can be credited to the university’s 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 community’s 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 SDSU’s visionary faculty and staff, the university cultivates lifelong relationships with more than 500,000 alumni, friends, and community members—advancing SDSU’s 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.

• Bachelor’s 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 $50,000+ (one-time or cumulative over time), preferably in a philanthropic setting.

• 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”.

• Master’s 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.

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend

Valid California Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

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. 

SDSU’s 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. 

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, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s 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.