Senior Director of Foundation Operations

Job Description:

Senior Director of Foundation Operations

Description

At CSUN we aspire to continually grow as an inclusive, cooperative community!

CSUN strives to be a destination workplace, where everyone understands that they belong to a community that is vital in advancing student success and providing exemplary service to all stakeholders. We foster an environment of success, both for our students and our employees. We have a relentless passion for celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as being an employer of choice. You will also have the opportunity to realize your own personal goals and be recognized for the work you do and enjoy the unique value the CSUN community can offer. As a leader you will have the opportunity to thrive in a community in which our leaders share common traits as identified in our Leadership Principles https://www.csun.edu/leadership-principles . If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and oversight in endowment management, division budgeting, financial reporting, and prospect research to ensure operational excellence, compliance, and strategic alignment across departments. The role integrates donor stewardship, fiscal responsibility, and data-driven decision-making to support the university’s philanthropic mission.
• Provides a high level of customer service to the campus community as it relates to Foundation accounts (current use and endowment); ensures appropriate and accurate reporting on all funds based on interactions with campus leaders.
• Works closely with and supports Directors of Development and the Assistant Vice President for Campus Development Programs to review, create, and execute gift agreements in a timely manner.
• Works closely with Associate Vice President for the annual budget process, fiscal operations, and financial reporting for all funds allocated to the Division of University Relations and Advancement, including University and Foundation allocations.
• Provides fiscal and operational assistance for major projects supported by philanthropic funding.
• Leads the development and implementation of strategies for prospect research, identification, and management to support the University’s fundraising goals.
• As a leader, demonstrates a commitment to student success that is mission aligned with the university’s vision, values and priorities. Establishes an ethical and collegial work environment, promoting a collaborative, accountable and inclusive team. Encourages a courageous and resilient solution-oriented environment by participating in new opportunities to further the mission of the university. Participates in developing initiatives that further support the campus mission with a service-oriented and catalytic mind set. Strengthens employees by being communicative and a talent builder that develops team attributes, furthering departmental goals.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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Qualifications:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in a job-related field.
• Equivalent to five years of progressively responsible professional/administrative experience; with two of the five years in a managerial role preferred.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience involving the financial and budgetary preparation, reporting, and analysis of service-oriented organizations (for profit or non-profit) is a plus.
• Experience overseeing administrative staff activities and working in a University environment to support the overall mission is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Leadership

• Thorough knowledge of the techniques, methods, and procedures used in the preparation, analysis, and administration of a budget in the fund accounting system.
• Strong customer service orientation with a focus on finding solutions to complex issues.
• Understanding and experience with prospect research and management, including software such as Lexis Nexis, Alumni Finder, iWave, among others.
• Knowledge of the financial management policies and procedures for corporations, including those of the California State University.
• Ability to understand complex processes, use computerized donor management software, financial systems, and spreadsheets to analyze and evaluate fiscal and philanthropic operations, including Blackbaud Raiser's Edge, PeopleSoft, Tableau, Microsoft BI, among others.
• Ability to: establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with various administrative levels; speak and write logically and effectively; compile and prepare written analytical reports.
• Lead diverse teams to support the operational mission and vision of employers by fostering an ethical, inclusive and collegial work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to support ongoing improvement through courageous, resilient, and catalytic leadership.
• Lead varying initiatives through a collaborative, service-oriented and communicative approach.
• Demonstrated commitment to employee development, recognition, and accountability to further operational goals.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• Salary is commensurate with knowledge, skills, and experience. The University offers excellent fringe benefits.
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $115,000 - $120,000 per year, dependent upon qualifications and experience.
• The position is currently hybrid (2 days in office, 3 days remote); however, this is subject to change based on student and/or operational needs.

General Information

• This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
• The person holding this position may be considered a 'limited 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.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN on-line application. To submit an application and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers
• Applications received through October 27, 2025, will be considered in the initial review and review of applications will continue until position is filled.
• The CSU recommends that faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities at any university location be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of Age, Disability (physical or mental), Gender, Gender Identity (including Nonbinary or Transgender), Gender Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, Medical Condition, Nationality, Pregnancy or related conditions, Race or Ethnicity (including color, caste, or ancestry), Religion or Religious Creed, Sex (including Sex Stereotyping or Sex Characteristics), Sexual Orientation, and Veteran or Military Status. Our nondiscrimination policy is set forth in the Interim CSU Nondiscrimination Policy. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Talent Acquisition at 818-677-2101.

Advertised: Oct 08 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: