Director of Development for Business

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Development for Business develops and executes strategies to secure philanthropic support for San José State University fundraising priorities identified by the University’s leadership in collaboration with the Office of Development in the Division of University Advancement. Responsibilities include identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding individuals capable of giving major gifts to the University. The Director initiates, maintains and strengthens close working relationships with key academic leaders, campus administrators, various stakeholders and University Advancement colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned prospect portfolio of key individuals supporting university fundraising priorities.
• Coordinate with the Prospect Research Team to expand and enhance a prospect pipeline that aligns with university and campaign priorities.
• Actively manage a prospect/donor portfolio with annual goals for personal visits and fundraising outcomes based on established metrics.
• Develop and execute sound strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit and steward major‑gift prospects/donors—initiate contact, develop appropriate cultivation plans, and move individuals in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure.
• Present and regularly review top prospect strategies with immediate supervisor and other key team members as appropriate.
• Work collaboratively with the leadership of colleges, key university administrators and other stakeholders, offering counsel on donor‑centric cultivation and solicitation strategy as appropriate.
• Collaborate with peers in Major Gifts as well as colleagues in Annual Giving, Planned Giving and Corporate and Foundation Relations.
• Work with volunteer leadership providing direction and support in maximizing the college’s major‑gift fundraising potential.
• Focus on securing funding for designated priorities including research projects, innovation programs, scholarships, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities and other specified priorities.
• Collaborate with stewardship colleagues on donor stewardship efforts particularly pertaining to the Division of Research and Innovation and help promote a culture of gratitude among internal and external constituents.
• Effectively utilize campus data management system and enter prospect/donor contact reports and relevant data in a timely fashion.
• Prepare written donor cultivation and solicitation plans and proposals.
• Participate in staff, functional and strategy meetings including prospect review sessions, attend conferences, seminars and other development training as feasible and appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to identify donors and close gifts of six and seven figures.
• Ability to navigate the institution and make the appropriate match for donor interests.
• Ability to engage and support volunteer leadership with their fundraising efforts, consultation and advocacy.
• Skilled in networking, opening doors and developing donor‑centric cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Deep appreciation and understanding of the academic enterprise and the ability to articulate academic values internally and externally.
• Knowledge of clear, audience‑appropriate communication practices for students, faculty and staff, while maintaining a student‑centered approach.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a collaborative team.
• Unquestionable integrity and commitment to professional ethics.
• High level of initiative, attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Skilled in managing multiple projects on tight deadlines and under pressure in a dynamic and open environment.
• Ability to define problems, gather data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite and fundraising database programs, and ability to learn new tech platforms for project management.
• Demonstrated spirit of flexibility and strong customer‑service ethic.
• Ability to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent customer‑service and public‑relation skills.
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising.
• Experience developing donor‑centric solicitation strategies leading to closing major gifts.
• Evidence of strong written communication skills; ability to write clearly and persuasively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree.
• Experience developing donor- (or client-)centric solicitation strategies leading to closing major gifts (or accounts).
• Fundraising experience in a capital or comprehensive campaign setting, preferably at an institution of higher education.
• Experience engaging and supporting volunteer leadership in their fundraising efforts.

Compensation

Classification: Administrator II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $10,167/month – $10,250/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month – $16,221/month
The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.
San José State University offers a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30–35% of your base salary.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal‑opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and certain other federal and state laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self‑disclose.