Priority Application Date (Posting will remain open until filled): Friday, July 24, 2026
Hiring Preference
Not Applicable
Position Summary
The Senior Director of Development, Society, Arts & Civic Life is responsible for advancing philanthropic support that aligns with the academic mission and strategic priorities of Sacramento State’s College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies and College of Arts and Letters. Reporting to the Vice President of University Advancement, the Senior Director serves as the principal advancement partner to both Deans, fostering strong collaborative relationships with faculty, academic leaders, advisory boards, alumni, community partners, foundations, and individual donors.
The Senior Director manages a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and is responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding gifts of $50,000 and above that support programs and initiatives examining human societies, cultural expression, civic life, and public engagement. Philanthropic investments may advance interdisciplinary research, student access and success, experiential learning, faculty excellence, creative and scholarly work, community partnerships, centers and institutes, and programs that strengthen democratic participation, cultural understanding, and social awareness.
The College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies advances the study of social systems, public policy, identity, equity, and global and environmental challenges through disciplines such as anthropology, economics, political science, sociology, ethnic studies, geography, and interdisciplinary programs grounded in community-engaged scholarship. The College of Arts and Letters fosters critical inquiry, communication, creativity, and cultural expression through the arts, humanities, languages, history, philosophy, and communication studies, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to civic and cultural life.
Together, these colleges share a commitment to understanding and shaping the human experience through analysis, expression, communication, and public engagement. The Senior Director plays a key role in advancing interdisciplinary philanthropic opportunities that bridge social sciences, arts, and humanities—particularly in areas such as civic engagement, cultural vitality, equity and identity, storytelling and media, global perspectives, and community-based scholarship.
In addition to frontline fundraising, the Senior Director provides strategic oversight of development staff responsible for leadership annual and mid-level giving, ensuring a coordinated and sustainable donor pipeline. The position also leads the development of donor engagement strategies that leverage alumni, advisory boards, public programs, performances, lectures, exhibitions, and community partnerships to deepen donor relationships and demonstrate impact.
The Senior Director of Development, Society, Arts & Civic Life serves as a member of the University Development Leadership Team, collaborating with peers to align fundraising strategies, share best practices, and advance division-wide and university priorities.
FLSA: Exempt (Not eligible for overtime compensation)
Anticipated Hiring Range: $9,583 per month ($115,000 annually) - $10,416 per month ($125,000 annually)
CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,053 per month ($60,636 annually) - $16,221 per month ($194,652 annually)
Salary placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience.
Best-in-class Benefits: Click here to learn more
CSU Total Compensation: Click here to learn more
Recruitment Type: Regular (At-Will)
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm. Work hours may vary depending on department needs.
At Sacramento State, University Advancement collaborates closely with faculty, staff, alums, and communities nationwide to support and elevate key projects and initiatives. Whether enhancing access to higher education or establishing innovation centers on campus, we're dedicated to empowering the next generation and fostering meaningful progress.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or equivalent training and experience.
- Five or more years of experience with a verifiable record of cultivating and closing major gifts of $25k+ in higher education, philanthropy corporate relations, or similar sales and business development experience.
- Strong understanding and experience of fundraising or sales industry best practices to achieve goals and mission, including portfolio management, strategic planning, and stewardship practices.
- Experience in management and event planning.
- Demonstrated ability to establish measurable fundraising or sales goals and objectives, and develop and implement cultivation and solicitation strategies to achieve goals and objectives.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to direct, manage, and motivate others (e.g., fundraisers, volunteers, advisory groups, stakeholders).
- Demonstrated ability to successfully build professional relationships with prospective donors and internal stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of philanthropy, moves management, and comprehensive fundraising programs, with the ability to develop and structure complex gifts in an academic environment.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills.
- Excellent organization and detail-oriented skills to work in high-pressure, fast-paced environment while effectively meeting objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, lead and train others, and serve and a member of a team.
- Proficient in Development database (Advance, Blackbaud, etc.), as well as office software programs (Microsoft Office, Outlook, etc.).
- Commitment to maintaining a welcoming and inclusive work environment with diverse colleagues and constituents including faculty, students, staff, and members of the community
- Willingness and ability to independently travel and occasionally transport others, as needed.
- Ability to work on-call, evenings, and weekends.
Condition of Employment:
- Satisfactory completion of the background check process.
- Master’s degree from an accredited university.
- Professional fundraising credential.
- Experience working in complex organizations.
- Valid driver’s license and maintenance of good driving record
Required Licenses/Certifications
- Valid driver's license and maintenance of good driving record.
Documents Needed to Apply
Failure to upload required documentation may result in disqualification.
About Sacramento State
Sacramento State is located in the heart of California’s capital city, five miles from State Capitol. The lush, 300-acre campus is situated along the American River, close to numerous bike trails and other recreational areas. Sacramento, also known as the “Farm-to-Fork Capital,” is one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in the country, with a population of half of a million. Sacramento State proudly serves as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), and is recognized by the California Legislative Assembly as a Black-Serving Institution. The university enrolls around 31,000 students from the Greater Sacramento Region, throughout California, across the nation, and around the world. Our 1,800 faculty and 1,500 staff are committed to meeting our mission:
“As California’s capital university, we transform lives by preparing students to lead, serve, and succeed. Sacramento State will be a welcoming, caring, and inclusive leader in education, innovation, and engagement.” As the regional hub of higher education, Sacramento State is dedicated to learning and student success; teaching, research, scholarship and creative activity; justice, diversity, equity and inclusion; resource development and sustainability; dedicated community engagement, and wellness and safety.
As evidenced by the values embedded in our Hornet Honor Code, Sacramento State is committed to creating an inclusive environment where all faculty, staff, students, and guests are welcome and valued. Our commitment is more than simply ensuring that our campus is free from bias and discrimination, but is one devoted to celebrating many diverse identities, life experiences, and perspectives that enrich our community, teaching and learning.
To learn more about why you should join the Hornet Family, please visit the Why Sac State? page.
Equal Employment Opportunity
California State University, Sacramento is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Sacramento State hires only those individuals who are lawfully authorized to accept employment in the United States.
It is the policy of California State University, Sacramento to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need a disability related reasonable accommodation as part of the application and/or interviewing process, visit https://www.csus.edu/people-climate/human-resources/benefits/reasonable-accomodation.html
The University is committed to creating an education and working environment free from discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. For more information on mandatory training for new employees, visit https://www.csus.edu/administration-business-affairs/human-resources/learning-development/support/csu-learn.html.
Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act Notification:
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the current Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for viewing at https://www.csus.edu/clery .
The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and sexual assault prevention information, and drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery Act crimes for Sacramento State for the last three (3) calendar years. Paper copies are available upon request by emailing the Clery Director at clery@csus.edu.
Under the Clery Act, this position may be designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) depending upon the role on campus and/or job duties. If this position is identified by the Director of Clery Compliance as a CSA position, you will be notified via email and will be assigned the appropriate training in CSU Learn.
Background Check Disclaimer
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with California State University, Sacramento. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current California State University, Sacramento employees who apply for the position.
Out of State Employment
Sacramento State, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees (up)on date of hire to reside in the State of California.
As of January 1, 2022 the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.
Eligibility Verification
Candidate must furnish proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. California State University, Sacramento is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (ie. H-1-B Visa).
Note to Applicants:
Possession of the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview unless required by collective bargaining agreement.
Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.