Athletics Development Coordinator (Advancement Professional I)

Position Summary

Join San Diego State University as an Athletics Development Coordinator and support the fundraising and donor engagement efforts behind SDSU Athletics. In this role, you'll provide administrative and project coordination support to the Athletics Development team, helping manage donor and prospect information, coordinate stewardship activities and communications, support fundraising events, and keep day-to-day development operations organized and moving forward.

Key Responsibilities:

Development & Donor Support

• Support donor and prospect research, identification, tracking, and movement through the development pipeline.
• Maintain prospect records, contact reports, proposals, follow-up activities, and donor tracking systems.
• Coordinate donor communications, appeals, acknowledgments, recognition, and stewardship activities.
• Assist development staff with tracking fundraising activity and donor engagement.

Administrative & Project Coordination

• Prepare correspondence, presentations, proposals, and other development materials.
• Maintain project timelines, records, procedures, and shared development resources.
• Coordinate calendars, meetings, travel arrangements, and expense documentation for development staff.
• Process travel claims, reimbursements, purchasing documents, and credit card reconciliations.

Donor Data & Research

• Maintain accurate donor and prospect information in advancement databases and tracking systems.
• Conduct preliminary prospect research and assist with donor and prospect lists.
• Coordinate record updates related to gifts, donor information, contact reports, and proposals.
• Support athletic donor and season ticket holder records using Ticketmaster.

Events & Donor Engagement

• Assist with fundraising events and donor engagement activities for the Aztec Club and SDSU Athletics.
• Coordinate registration, guest lists, event communications, materials, and logistics.
• Support game-day donor hospitality, including credentials, parking, guest communications, recognition, and benefit fulfillment.
• Collaborate with Athletics, SDSU Alumni, and campus partners on events and engagement activities.

What We're Looking For:

We're looking for an organized, service-oriented professional who enjoys coordinating details, working with people, and supporting a busy team.

Experience in areas such as the following is especially valuable:

• Administrative or project coordination
• Fundraising, development, or donor relations
• Prospect research and database management
• Event and meeting coordination
• Marketing and communications
• Travel, expense, purchasing, or reimbursement processing
• Higher education, or public-sector environments

Strong organization, attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to manage changing priorities will be important in this role.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of Aztec Athletics – Support the development efforts that connect donors, alumni, and supporters with SDSU Athletics.
• Build advancement experience – Gain exposure to donor relations, prospect research, stewardship, fundraising operations, and events.
• Work with a variety of projects – Support everything from donor communications and data to special events and game-day engagement.
• Connect across SDSU – Collaborate with Athletics, University Relations and Development, SDSU Alumni, and other campus partners.

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it's like to work at the CSU—watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU.

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits-eligible, temporary position with an anticipated end date a year from the start date, with the possibility of reappointment.
• This position is designated non-exempt under FLSA and is eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs (Ability to travel and attend off-campus appointments and events. Evening, weekend, and other work outside of normal business hours is required to support events and departmental needs.)
• The individual hired for this role will work at the SDSU Experience Center in Mission Valley, San Diego.

Department Summary

University Relations and Development (URAD) shares the university's vision and mission underscored in the SDSU strategic plan. Units of URAD work together to create enduring relationships with alumni, parents, donors, students and the community to generate private support for SDSU students, faculty and a diverse number of programs. URAD handles a range of services encompassing stewardship, events, gift administration, communications and more. The departments of Development, SDSU Alumni, Planned and Annual Giving, Special Events and Donor Relations, Marketing and Communications, Financial Management, Data Management, Prospect Research and Management and Operations are making a tangible difference in the lives of more than 40,000 students.

Our fundraising success can be credited to the university's goal of building a world-class university campus, research center, and multi-use stadium in Mission Valley to serve higher education, the public good, and the community's goals and aspirations.

SDSU has been recognized several times for its exceptional development program by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). With the support of loyal donors and in collaboration with SDSU's visionary faculty and staff, the university cultivates lifelong relationships with more than 500,000 alumni, friends, and community members—advancing SDSU's mission for generations to come.

The Department of Athletics, utilizing the services of over 150 employees, is responsible for the intercollegiate athletics program at San Diego State University. Currently, there are 18 sport programs, approximately 425 student-athletes, and 17 offices in the department. The offices include the following: The Aztec Club, Administration, Athletic Medicine, Business Office, Compliance, Corporate Sales, Development, Equipment, Event Management/Facilities and Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, Media Relations, Strength and Conditioning, Student-Athlete Academic Support Services, Ticket Office, and Video.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field. Relevant education and/or experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Ability and availability to travel and attend events or perform duties outside of normal work hours (may include weekends) on and off campus.
• Experience in performing basic prospect research and data analysis.
• Experience in coordinating meetings and special events.
• Experience with marketing, graphic design, and communications.
• Experience in generating emails, letters, cards, invoices, presentations, etc., using mail merge functions.
• Preferred:
  • A minimum of four years of progressively responsible administrative support, marketing/or communications experience.
  • Experience working in a higher education or public sector setting.
  • Experience working in a fundraising/development environment.
  • Experience in processing reimbursements for travel, mileage, payables, and procurement.
  • Experience with Ellucian and TicketMaster (or similar financial and biographical database).

Licenses/Certifications Required

Valid California Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience, in alignment with the department's budget and equity guidelines.

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 1 ($4,799/month).
• Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $4,799-$6,992 per month (Step 1-Step 20).
• Future increases, including step advancements, are subject to contract negotiations.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview.

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSU's Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) 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. SDSU 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.

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

Supplemental Information

Apply by October 15, 2026, to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

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.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU 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. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Livia Peeples at lpeeples@sdsu.edu.

To apply, visit https://careers.sdsu.edu/en-us/job/562526

Organization

Since it was founded in 1897, San Diego State University has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 89 areas, master's degrees in 78 areas and doctorates in 21 areas. SDSU's approximately 32,000 students participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future.

SDSU's annual economic impact to the state of California is $6.5 billion, according to an impact report done by the California State University in 2010.

Of SDSU's 280,000-plus alumni, approximately 60 percent live in San Diego. They comprise more than half the region's engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs and the local workforce for a host of other industries.

Learn More About:

Research: Since 2000, SDSU faculty and staff have attracted more than $1.7 billion in grants and contracts for research and programs ranging from cardiovascular disease to marine biology.

Diversity: SDSU ranks No. 19 in the nation for racial diversity and among the top universities for economic diversity. SDSU was ranked No. 11 in the nation and No. 4 in California for bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics by Hispanic Outlook for Higher Education

International Study: SDSU offers 350 international education programs in 50 countries. Nearly 12,000 students have studied abroad in the past 12 years.

Community Service: SDSU is a recognized leader in innovative efforts to improve urban K-12 education. The City Heights Educational Collaborative and Compact for Success both positively impact the academic achievement of elementary, middle and high school students in the local area.

Sustainability: Sustainability is an every-day part of the university culture at San Diego State University. Students, faculty and staff all participate in a myriad of ways, from festivals, to research to academic programs. In spring 2014, SDSU opens its first LEED Platinum Certified building — the 206,000 square-foot Aztec Student Union.