Senior Director of Development for the College of Engineering

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Executive Director of Development, the Senior Director of Development for the College of Engineering develops and executes strategies to secure philanthropic support for San Jose State University fundraising priorities identified by the University's leadership in collaboration with University Advancement. Responsibilities include but are not limited to identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding individuals capable of giving major gifts to SJSU. In support of these efforts, the Senior Director of Development initiates, maintains and strengthens close working relationships with key academic leaders, campus administrators, various stakeholders, and University Advancement colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage an assigned prospective donor portfolio of key individuals supporting university and School of Engineering fundraising priorities
• Coordinate with Prospect Research team to expand and enhance a prospect pipeline that aligns with university and campaign priorities
• Actively manage and 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 the College, key university administrators and other stakeholders, offering them counsel on donor-centric cultivation and solicitation strategy, as appropriate
• Work collaboratively 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 Colleges major gift fundraising potential
• Focus on securing funding for designated priorities including academic programs, endowed chairs and professorships, scholarships, unrestricted support, facility renovations, new facilities and other specified priorities
• Collaborate with stewardship colleagues with donor stewardship efforts particularly pertaining to assigned college/unit/project and help promote a culture of gratitude among internal and external constituents
• Effectively utilize the campus prospect management system to enter prospect/donor contact reports and other 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, and attend conferences, seminars, and other development training as feasible and appropriate
• Engage in campus and college activities relevant to the fundraising mission of the University

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to identify donors and close gifts of six and seven figures
• Ability to navigate the institution/college and make the appropriate match for donor interests
• Ability to engage and support volunteer leadership with their efforts in fundraising, consultation, and advocacy
• Skilled in networking and opening doors as well as 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
• Strong verbal communication and strong writing skills and the ability to work as part of a collaborative team
• Unquestionable integrity and commitment to professional ethics
• High level of initiative, attention to detail and organization skills
• Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Skilled in successfully 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 and Microsoft Office Suite and ability to utilize fundraising database programs, and learn new tech platforms for project management
• Demonstrate spirit of flexibility and strong customer service ethic
• Ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion
• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum five 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

• Master's Degree
• Experience developing donor solicitation strategies for an engineering entity, leading to closing major gifts.
• Fundraising experience in 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: $11,250/month - $11,667/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month - $16,221/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San Jose State University 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.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: March 2, 2026 through March 17, 2026 . This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
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CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at and questions may be sent to View email address on click.appcast.io.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, 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 CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San Jose State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San Jose 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 Jose 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. San Jose State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.