Job Details

Executive Director, Foundation/Institutional Advancement

Position Number: 6127717
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Executive Director, Foundation/Institutional Advancement

Cuesta College

Salary: $137,388.00 - $151,476.00 Annually
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FY2425-00173
Location: All Campuses or other sites, CA
Department: Presidents Office
Closing: 4/27/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Job Description Summary

DEFINITION

Under general direction of the Superintendent/President, develop, direct and administer the Cuesta College Foundation, Inc. (CCFI) advancement resource development including the grants program; provide leadership with marketing and communications for the District; assist the District and administer the Foundation to meet enrollment, resource, and advancement goals, serve as the Superintendent/President's liaison with the Foundation's Board of Directors; supervise the work of staff supporting the Foundation, serve as one of the District's primary representatives to the community to advance Cuesta College and its Foundation, and perform other related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Executive Director, Foundation/Institutional Advancement is distinguished by the requirement for working directly with the Foundation Board of Directors and other internal and external groups in support of the College. As a collaborative strategist and creative leader, the executive director oversees the development, implementation and direction of all aspects of an integrated college advancement and public relations program including fundraising, communications, community relations, marketing, and alumni relations. The executive director provides executive leadership to the Foundation and its Board of Directors, oversees the day-to- day operations, provides supervision for the foundation staff, manages a full program of development activities, directs communications and marketing activities for the district, serves as a member of the senior leadership team of the District, and acts as a primary community representative to advance the goals and visibility of the district and Foundation. The incumbent must understand and promote the connection between the Foundation/Institutional Advancement functions and student learning and institutional effectiveness outcomes.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.htm

Essential Functions & Qualifications

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Work with the College President in defining College advancement, enhancing College/community relationships that lead to greater support of District programs, services, faculty, staff and students.
Provide leadership for and administration of an integrated, cooperative and collaborative College advancement, marketing, and resource development program;
Oversee the development of a Resource Development Plan that is aligned with the College's mission, vision, values, and master and operational plans, with a particular focus on the goals of the Long Term Fiscal Plan;
Manage and grow an efficient and effective development program through the establishment of annual and long-term fundraising goals;
Plan, direct, manage and implement all fundraising activities to successfully achieve these goals, including annual giving, capital campaigns, major gifts initiatives, and planned giving programs;
Manage a portfolio of priority major gift prospects, indentify and cultivate planned giving prospects, develop proposals to corporate and foundation grant makers, and ensure the Cuesta annual Fund reaches restricted and unrestricted goals;
Oversee the development of a marketing plan for the College District that relates to enrollment management, enhancing the College's image and reputation, developing and strengthening programs, institutional advancement, and annual and long-range planning;
Work with and receive the support of the Board of Directors of the College Foundation and interface with businesses, corporations, community individuals, organizations, and the academic community;
Lead the Foundation Board of Directors in developing plans for generating revenue and managing and distributing funds to District programs, services and individuals;
Coordinate the work of the Foundation Board of Directors and its committees, developing and implementing policy;
Develop, train, and recognize the volunteers who serve on the Foundation Board and as College Ambassadors;
Direct volunteer activities in the areas of research, cultivation, and solicitation of prospective (individual and corporate) donors;
Serve as a liaison between The District, the Foundation Board of Directors and individuals, groups, businesses, and corporations in and/or connected with the San Luis Obispo County community;
Enhance College/community relationships, establish or enhance programs of donor recognition;
Recommend for employment, provide for training, direct, supervise, and evaluate the work performance of the Director of Foundation Programs, the Director of the Grants program, Director of Marketing and Communications and department staff;
Produce and host public and community events;
Recommend and administer department budget;
Compile and maintain statistical and other data and write reports;
Interact and communicate with public and news media on behalf of the District, as requested by the Superintendent/President;
Direct the maintenance of donor/prospect records and mailing lists for programs of annual and planned giving;
Increase the donor base;
Develop effective alumni communication and support;
Provide leadership in entrepreneurial activities appropriate for the Foundation;
Serve on District standing committees as assigned;
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties;
Communicate effectively orally and in writing;
Demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Duties may require the ability to:

See for the purpose of reading laws and codes, rules and policies, and other printed matter;
Hear and understand speech at normal levels;
Speak so that others will be able to understand a normal in-person and telephone conversation;
Sit or stand for extended periods of time;
Lift and/or carry 25 pounds;
Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

Essential functions of particular positions within classifications may vary because job duties may vary by work location.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Required

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in nonprofit management, education, public administration, or related field.

Preferred

Graduate degree from an accredited four-year college or university in nonprofit management, education, public administration, or related field.

Experience:

Required

Demonstrated initiative and creativity in college advancement programs;
Minimum of five years of senior-level experience and proven record in advancement, comprehensive fundraising and resource development, volunteer management, grant writing, and strategic planning.
Demonstrated success in growing the annual fund, developing planned giving agreements such as gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, and evidence of managing successful capital campaigns.

Preferred

Current Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) status.
Experience in marketing and/or development experience such as public relations and/or publications;
Three years of full-time experience with college, university or private foundation(s);
Three years of full-time management level experience including supervising staff, budget, and accounting procedures;
Experience working in a community college;

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of Foundation administration related to planned giving, annual giving, capital campaigns, volunteer board development, budgeting, public relations and marketing, contractual agreements, employee supervision and evaluation, and database management;
Legal requirements for 501C3 organizations and District policies and procedures.
Changes in state and federal laws that affect college development programs;
Securing grants, financial support;
Contemporary practices in public relations, marketing, and communication;
Supervisory/administrative principles and practices;
Current technologies, personal computer, and associated office software such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and/or database software;
Correct usage of English, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

License and ability to:

Possession of a current California Driver's License, required;
Ability to travel countywide.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

Cover letter;
Resume;
Reference List (see further instructions below);
Unofficial transcripts;
Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.
In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

SALARY SCHEDULE

Below is the full salary schedule range for this position, steps A through E. Per Cuesta College's policies, new employees are placed at Steps A through C, which is the anticipated hiring range also listed below. The bargaining agreement also includes step and longevity increases.For a full salary schedule, please see our website: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html

Salary Schedule Range: $11,449 - $13,917 per month.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $11.449 - $12,623 per month.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act
Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

Selected applicants will be invited to attend an in-person interview on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Second interviews will be held via Zoom on Friday, May 16, 2025.

To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta

The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.