Executive Director of Advancement, West Coast
Arizona State University Foundation has partnered with Lindauer, a national search and talent firm, to conduct this search. To apply, please submit your resume on the Lindauer website .
Please contact the Lindauer team leading this search if you have questions or would like to make a nomination or a referral: Adele Mezher , Senior Vice President and Emily Horsford , Senior Associate.
The salary range for this role is $180,000-230,000 annually.
The West Coast represents one of Arizona State University's most significant opportunities for philanthropic growth and broader engagement. ASU has built a growing presence through its academic programs, students and alumni, partnerships, physical locations, and connections to industries shaping the future. The opportunity now is to translate that presence into a more powerful and sustained culture of philanthropy in the region.
ASU Foundation seeks an entrepreneurial, strategic, and accomplished fundraising leader to serve as Executive Director of Advancement, West Coast. Based in California, the Executive Director will serve as a senior advancement leader for the region, building relationships with philanthropists, entrepreneurs, business and community leaders, alumni, and other partners whose interests intersect with the breadth and ambition of ASU.
The Executive Director will look beyond traditional sources of higher education philanthropy to identify new networks of wealth and influence. The region’s philanthropic landscape is not monolithic; success will require a leader who understands the distinct dynamics of the region including those between Northern and Southern California, recognizes where new wealth is emerging, and knows how to build authentic relationships within those communities.
This is both a frontline fundraising and leadership role. The Executive Director will personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of significant donors and prospects while leading an experienced regional advancement team toward greater focus, collaboration, accountability, and philanthropic results. As momentum and philanthropic opportunity grow, the Executive Director will also have the opportunity to shape and expand the advancement operation to support ASU's ambitions across the region.
ASU brings an unusually broad set of assets to the West Coast, spanning health, science, education, technology, journalism, the arts and creative industries, Global Futures Laboratory, Thunderbird, and other areas of institutional strength. The Executive Director will translate those strengths into compelling philanthropic opportunities, connecting donor interests with the people, programs, and ideas capable of creating meaningful impact
For a creative and entrepreneurial advancement leader, this is an opportunity to help shape the next chapter of ASU's presence on the West Coast and build a culture of philanthropy matching the scale of the University's ambitions.
Reporting to the Chief Global Advancement Officer of the ASU Foundation, the Executive Director of Advancement, West Coast will lead ASUF's advancement strategy and regional team across California and the broader West Coast. The Executive Director will personally manage a significant portfolio of major and principal gift prospects while providing focused leadership, direction, and accountability to an experienced team.
Working across the ASU Foundation and in close partnership with university leadership, schools, colleges, institutes, the ASU Alumni Association, Sun Devil Athletics, and other ASU entities, the Executive Director will bring coordination and strategic focus to advancement activity across the region. The successful candidate will bring deep knowledge of the West Coast philanthropic and business landscape, strong executive judgment, and the ability to focus ASU's people and resources around the relationships and opportunities with the greatest philanthropic potential.
What you’ll…