Vice President for University Advancement

California State University, Monterey Bay (Cal State Monterey Bay or CSUMB) seeks an accomplished, collaborative, and aspirational advancement leader to serve as the next vice president for university advancement (VP). Reporting directly to the president, Dr. Vanya Quiñones, the VP will serve as an integral member of her newly forming university cabinet and the Monterey Bay community, providing strategic and operational leadership for its development and alumni engagement enterprise. The VP will partner closely with President Quiñones and other key constituents to elevate the university’s visibility and galvanize philanthropic support to advance bold institutional goals and lead the university’s second-ever comprehensive campaign. This is an excellent building opportunity for a proven advancement leader to join a committed and visionary president, for whom elevating philanthropic success is paramount, early in her tenure and strengthen efforts to support an expanded culture of philanthropy and alumni engagement at Cal State Monterey Bay for decades to come. 

As CSUMB prepares to mark the university’s 30^th anniversary in 2025, campus-wide strategic planning efforts are underway to identify key priorities and initiatives to navigate future growth. The next VP will play an important role in priority identification, engaging broadly with internal and external constituents to understand funding opportunities and needs. The VP must be a superb storyteller with extraordinary skills that include crafting multiple compelling cases for support while building authentic relationships with CSUMB’s diverse community—connecting individuals not only to the institutional ethos as a regional vehicle for upward mobility for historically underrepresented students, but also to its bright future. In addition to ensuring that the advancement operation is equipped to best respond to and support campus and community partners, the VP will assess the existing organization and team, as well as design, implement, and execute an overarching advancement and alumni engagement strategy for the division. The successful leader will recognize the importance of this milestone and create a comprehensive network for collaboration, communication, and accountabilities that will be critical for attainment. Leading by example, the successful leader will manage their own active fundraising portfolio to support CSUMB in order to inspire future philanthropic investments. 

The VP will also benefit from President Quiñones’ early involvement in developing and executing the framework for Cal State Monterey Bay’s next comprehensive campaign, as well as her investment in donor engagement and development-related activities. Success for the next vice president will be, in part, defined by an ability to broadly educate and engage all constituents of the CSUMB community—faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents, volunteers, and senior administrators—in development efforts, particularly in preparation for a multi-million-dollar fundraising endeavor. The next VP will be instrumental in identifying and cultivating opportunities for alumni participation across the university; assessing and implementing key engagement and fundraising metrics; and serving as an architect and builder of a best-in-class development operation poised to achieve and sustain elevated levels of success. 

With at least ten years of leadership experience in development, preferably within higher education, the ideal candidate must possess strong strategic planning, managerial, and motivational skills; a keen understanding of fundraising best practices and a comprehensive knowledge of all major development and alumni engagement functions, including a depth of campaign experience; and a track record of significant personal success in donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship at the major and principal gift levels. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned team leader adept at maximizing, leveraging, and advocating for talented staff and facilitating team success through ongoing professional development opportunities. The successful candidate will reflect and embody the core values of Cal State Monterey Bay by serving the university with authenticity and humility alongside a demonstrated level of integrity, trust, diplomacy, emotional intelligence, and professionalism to effectively engage and partner with key internal and external constituents. This individual must bring a deep appreciation and passion for the mission, goals, and uniqueness of Cal State Monterey Bay. A bachelor's degree is required; an advanced degree is preferred. 

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Christina Garrison, and Megan Gorman.

Cal State Monterey Bay is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action employer seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. We value and celebrate diversity in all its forms and strive to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. We consider qualified applicants for employment for their anticipated contributions and without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or disability.