Associate Vice President, Development and Comprehensive Campaigns

California State University, Fresno  (Fresno State) seeks a highly collaborative, dynamic, and proven advancement leader to serve as the next associate vice president for development and comprehensive campaigns (AVP). Reporting directly to the vice president for university advancement and executive director of the California State University, Fresno Foundation (VP/ED), this reimagined role is an integral member of the VP/ED's executive team and will provide strategic leadership to and overall supervision of Fresno State’s school/college-based units, divisions, and central fundraising enterprise. 

Overseeing a team of 12, the AVP will direct and execute strategic data-driven strategies to maximize the effectiveness of the partnership between leadership and school/college, divisions, and central fundraising programs. In this highly visible role, the AVP will be a partner and senior counsel to deans, division leaders, center directors, development directors, and university staff on a wide range of development activities, including but not limited to training development directors, goal setting, fundraising program assessments, solicitation strategies, and pipeline development. While providing strategic leadership and management, the AVP will also lead by example and carry a select portfolio of major and principal gift prospects. 

In tandem with the VP/ED, the AVP will contribute to professionalizing the organization’s fundraising infrastructure and co-lead the public launch of Fresno State's second comprehensive campaign. This campaign is the largest fundraising effort in the university's 100-plus-year history and will advance the goals and priorities outlined in Fresno State’s recently completed 2023-2029 strategic plan. The AVP will work closely with key colleagues in promoting strategic priorities to leverage and guide the Development Team toward success. The AVP will lead development meetings and the overall strategic planning process that emphasizes the integration of gift officers into the larger advancement strategy while providing professional mentorship, liaising with university-wide peers and the broader Central Valley community in a leadership capacity on behalf of advancement, and regularly reporting to and collaborating with the VP/ED and president about the ongoing needs, success, and challenges of fundraising efforts at Fresno State.

With at least seven years of leadership experience in higher education development, the ideal candidate must possess strong managerial, strategic planning, and motivational skills; a keen understanding of fundraising best practices, including a depth of campaign experience; a comprehensive knowledge of all major, principal, and planned giving functions; and proven personal success in philanthropic partner cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at major and principal gift levels. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of leading development staff through the process of setting and achieving annual and long-range fundraising goals that are data-driven and, in the near future, support campaign priorities. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned and dedicated team leader adept at maximizing, motivating, mentoring, and advocating for talented staff to facilitate team success. Experience leading all aspects of a complex team and enhancing professional development and career planning opportunities for fundraising staff as a means of retention is essential.

The successful candidate will reflect and embody the core values of Fresno State by serving the university with authenticity, warmth, and humility alongside a demonstrated level of integrity, trust, diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and professionalism to effectively engage and partner with key internal and external constituents. This individual must bring a deep appreciation and passion for the mission, goals, and uniqueness of Fresno State. A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. 

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Christina Garrison, Megan Gorman, and Rebecca Lyons.

California State University, Fresno is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status.