Job Summary

Under the administrative direction of the Director of Prospect Management and Research, this position is responsible for directing specialized, high quality, accurate and timely prospect research, analysis, and prospect management to colleges and units across campus. This position has programmatic responsibility for prospect research, proactive prospecting, prospect management, and reporting in relation to the general fundraising initiatives at Cal Poly. This position will serve as a campus contact and resource for information regarding major donors and prospects, while providing supervision to the Prospect Management and Research Specialist staff.

The incumbent will work closely with Development Officers in the colleges and units across the campus to identify the most appropriate assignment for major gift prospects and to develop cultivation strategies, while utilizing prospect management skills to develop successful cultivation and solicitation strategies that span several areas within the University.

Department Summary

The Prospect Management and Research (PMR) Office is responsible for prospect and portfolio management. This includes prospect identification and research, relationship management, and pipeline management. The PMR team works collaboratively with the campus to support our donors with their investment to Cal Poly. This collaboration includes creating proactive relationships across campus with development officers, donor relations, Data and Systems, and the President’s Office.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated skill in major gift fundraising settings and a track record of successful prospect research and prospect management experience, knowledge of how prospect management supports organization's fundraising efforts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including ability to write and speak persuasively about the University. Ability to write concisely and clearly, edit and rewrite materials submitted by others, to review documents quickly to meet deadlines, and make effective presentations. Ability to produce professional documents that meet high standards for appearance, grammar, spelling and clarity.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively interact with diverse constituencies, both inside and outside the University, including: donors, faculty, staff and volunteers to ensure prospect research and prospect management goals and priorities are met.  Experience in developing relationships with key stakeholders.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.

Education and Experience

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university. Four years of progressively responsible technical or administrative experience. A graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $85,000 -$105,000 annually

Classification Range: $66,444 - $120,168 annually

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly 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. Cal Poly 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.

Cal Poly 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 Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly 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. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

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.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Positions are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days.