Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development - Sacramento State

Big news at Sac State! Help shape the future of Hornet Athletics and lead fundraising for a $400M stadium project as the new Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development. Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, with a dotted line to the Director of Athletics, this newly created role will oversee a development team, manage a portfolio of major donors, and drive fundraising strategy as the Hornets prepare to join the Big West Conference in 2026. With strong institutional support and outstanding CSU benefits-including five weeks of vacation, 13 paid holidays, CalPERS retirement, and an employee fee waiver program-this is your chance to make a lasting impact at a growing university in the heart of California's capital.

Why Sacramento?

Affordable, family-friendly city with a tight-knit community-1 in 7 locals is a Sac State alum
• Centrally located with easy access to Lake Tahoe, Napa Valley, San Francisco, and the Sierra Nevada

Another Source's client, California State University, Sacramento State, is recruiting a Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development to join their team on-site in Sacramento, CA.

Be a Force Behind the Future of Sacramento State Athletics

This is a unique opportunity to join Sacramento State during a transformational moment for Hornet Athletics. The newly created Senior Associate Athletic Director of Development role will take the lead on philanthropic strategy for a $400 million stadium project and other major initiatives-all at a time when university and athletic leadership are aligned and ready to act.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for University Advancement, with a dotted line to the Director of Athletics, this role sits on both the University Advancement Leadership Team and the Athletics Department Leadership Team. You'll lead a high-performing team (including the Director of Development and Annual Giving roles), steward principal gift-level donors, and drive long-term fundraising vision.

About Sacramento State:

Located in the capital of the world's fifth-largest economy, Sacramento State is home to over 30,000 students and 21 NCAA Division I sports programs. With a proud tradition of athletic and academic excellence, the Hornets are poised to reach even greater heights-with your leadership and fundraising expertise at the helm.

What Makes this Opportunity Unique:

• Transform a Program: Play a key leadership role in elevating a D1 athletics program, now transitioning into the Big West conference in 2026.

• Shape Major Capital Initiatives: Be the strategic fundraising architect behind a new $400M stadium project.

• Collaborate at the Top: Work alongside the VP of Advancement, Athletics Director, and campus leadership.

• Enjoy Strong Institutional Support: The President, Provost, and senior leadership are fully backing this initiative.

• Excellent CSU Benefits: Up to 5 weeks of vacation, 13 paid holidays, generous sick time, and CSU's robust fee waiver program.

What You'll Do:

• Fundraising Strategy (35%)

• Manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity donors and guide Athletics' major gift strategy.

• Lead pipeline development and campaign strategy in partnership with Advancement.

• High-Level Donor Engagement (20%)

• Support the AD, University Advancement, and President's Office in engaging top prospects.

• Develop and execute strategic plans for principal and transformational gifts.

• Operations & Leadership (30%)

• Coordinate all development activities with the AD.

• Supervise and mentor a 3-4 person team.

• Collaborate on strategic planning and campaign performance metrics.

• Cross-Functional Leadership (10%)

• Drive annual planning, goal setting, and strategy development.

• Represent Sacramento State Athletics at community and campus events.

You'll Be a Great Addition If You Have:

• Significant experience (ideally 5+ years) in university advancement or athletic fundraising.

• A track record of success in capital campaign fundraising, principal gifts, and campaign planning.

• Leadership and supervisory experience in a complex, fast-paced environment.

• A strategic mindset and collaborative spirit-able to partner across Advancement and Athletics.

• Experience with ticket sales, NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) initiatives, or capital project messaging is a plus.

• An advanced degree is preferred.

What's In It For You:

Salary Range:

$120,000 - $144,000 annually

Benefits: Joining Sac State isn't just about your career today-it's about building a strong foundation for your future. Check out these benefits below:

• EDUCATION BENEFITS:The CSU Employee Fee Waiver Program allows eligible staff or their eligible dependents to attend courses at any CSU for reduced rates at a maximum of two courses or six units per term, whichever is greater.

• BALANCING WORK/LIFE:One of the big WOW's is that this position accrues 16 hours of vacation per month. That's 5 weeks of vacation per year in addition to the 13 paid holidays and 8 hours accrued per month of sick leave.

• PERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM: As part of the California State University system, this role is eligible for the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)-the nation's largest public pension fund. That means you'll have access to a defined-benefit retirement plan that provides a reliable income stream for life, based on your years of service, age, and final compensation. In addition to retirement security, CalPERS members enjoy access to comprehensive health coverage and other benefits designed to support you and your family's well-being

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