Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and working in a high volume, high complexity fundraising organization, the Director of Gift and Fund Administration plays an integral role working with the following groups:

• University Relations and Development (URAD) management and staff
• SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF)
• Campus offices, auxiliaries and organizations
• SDSU leadership, including vice presidents, deans and faculty
• Alumni, donors, prospective donors, and volunteers
• The Campanile Foundation CFO and volunteers

The Director of Gift and Fund Administration has responsibility for overseeing the receipt, acknowledgement and recording of all private philanthropic support at SDSU and the performance of the gift administration unit. This position is the primary liaison with the development team, faculty, staff, fund managers, and donors to ensure that philanthropic support at SDSU funds are received, processed and used in compliance with donor intent as outlined in the gift agreements and proposals. The Director coordinates efforts and collaborates with other financial management staff responsible for gift administration, gift agreements, fund administration, and fund audits.

The Director will work closely with fund managers to gather information for fund stewardship reports where needed in order to meet donor expectations. Working closely with development staff, the Director serves as an oversight officer and is responsible for managing the proposal approval process to ensure requested gifts have the appropriate department and campus approvals prior to submission to the donor.

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, at-will position. This 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.

This position is approved for partial telecommuting with onsite work in San Diego.

Department Summary

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the university’s vision and mission underscored in the 2020 five-year 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.

Within URAD, the departments of Development, SDSU Alumni, Planned Giving, Special Events, Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Financial Management, Data Management, Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a difference in the lives of SDSU’s 35,000 students.

URAD had another record-setting fundraising year in 2021-2022 with $136.3M total raised. Other superlatives in 2021-2022 include 22,368 total gifts, 2,077 scholarships awarded and 8,565 first-time donors. The latest 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 working alongside SDSU’s visionary faculty and staff leaders, SDSU builds lifelong relationships with over 480,000 alumni, friends and the community that advance the mission of SDSU.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

University Relations and Development at San Diego State University is committed to upholding, as a foundational belief, a supportive working environment of inclusion that values, honors, and respects, all members of our team and the University community.

We strive to engage in and promote the fair and equitable recruitment and training of URAD staff members, develop meaningful relationships with all groups in our diverse campus community, and share philanthropic stories that highlight the impact of and opportunity for diverse giving by our SDSU community.

University Relations and Development firmly believes that an inclusive environment facilitates critical and creative thinking, and that differences in identities, values, beliefs, and perspectives are fundamental to our mission of generating philanthropic support for the university and its student body.

Within University Relations and Development, the term diversity implies a respect for all and an understanding of individual differences and other characteristics protected by applicable state or federal law, so that all members of the community are treated at all times with dignity and respect. We value diversity and inclusion in the working environment and believe it is vital to the fulfillment of the university’s mission.

For more information regarding University Relations & Development, click here.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Three to five years of related experience

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to SDSU and the Campanile Foundation’s mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own, in partnership with the CFO, the responsibility for the Campanile Foundation’s finances related to donor funds.
• Must demonstrate flexibility and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with internal and external constituents; use discretion and collaboration to communicate effectively and diplomatically in a professional and courteous manner; exercise ethical interpersonal behavior; and protect the confidentiality of donors at all times.
• Ability to independently gather required information to organize, and perform financial analysis assignments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of fundraising principles and practices.
• Three to five years of experience in higher education or non-profit accounting or finance operations preferred.
• Experience with Ellucian CRM and/or Banner Finance or similar donor/gift/financial databases preferred.
• Experience involving donor relations and stewardship activities, scholarship administration and/or endowment management experience.
• Work experience in a university fundraising or not-for-profit environment.
• Knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University will offer a competitive salary based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. San Diego State University also offers a rich benefits package that includes:

• Extensive Leave benefits: 15 paid holidays, 24 vacation days, and 12 sick days per year;
• Retirement security through a CalPERS defined benefit pension (with CalPERS and UC Retirement Plan reciprocity) and retiree healthcare benefits;
• An array of health, dental, and vision coverage at no-cost or low-cost to the employee; and
• California State University system fee reduction program (fee waiver) for the employee or their qualified dependent

Anticipated hiring range: $90,000 - $100,000 annually

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here.

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.

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on May 19, 2023. To receive full consideration, apply by May 18, 2023. The position will remain open until filled.

CSU Vaccine Policy: The California State University has established a policy requiring faculty, staff, and students accessing campus facilities to be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. To access the SDSU campus, you must be fully up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, including a booster if you are eligible for one, or request a medical, religious, or off campus exemption, as applicable.

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 person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

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.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting [Recruiter Name & contact info].