Careers

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which is comprised of the faculty, students and staff that make the university what it is.

University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting the University of Southern California’s mission, values, and goals.
 

USC University Advancement division is seeking a Director of Development, Strategic Initiatives to join its Central Advancement Principal and Major Gifts Strategic Initiatives team. This team raises support for USC’s most immediate campus-wide fundraising priorities, among them sustainability, scholarship and student access; artificial intelligence and computing and diversity and equity. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, the incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of approximately 125 principal and major gift prospects, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gifts. The Director of Development may lead fundraising efforts for a specific priority and may also serve as a resource for fellow members of the central major gifts team and colleagues across the university.
 

University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting the University of Southern California’s mission, values, and goals.
 

Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 125 active principal (1M+) and major gift prospects who have the ability to make gifts of $100,000+.
   

• Director of Development will work independently and also collaboratively with the Central Major Gifts team, and other USC schools and units, in creating and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and financial support.
   

• Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards, major gift prospects. Develops strategies for cultivating support.
   

• Researches data for proposal development. Develops, prepares and presents formal fundraising proposals to major donors and prospects.
   

• Assume and achieve fundraising financial and activity goals set annually.
   

• Ensure compliance with all University fundraising policies, goals and procedures, including responsible for following all protocols for prospect and donor management established and implemented by USC Advancement.
   

• Represents the USC Advancement at professional and university meetings, seminars and conferences for professional development. 
   

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.  The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experienced senior fundraising professional with a demonstrated track record of personally closing gifts of $500,000-$3M+.
   

• Expertise in major campaign fundraising, preferably at a complex research university.
   

• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking.
   

• The ability to build bridges and strong collaborative relationships across a complex organization with astuteness and agility.
   

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
   

• A valid driver’s license is required; with weekend and evening work expected.
   

Preferred Education:
 

Bachelor’s Degree

7 years
 

Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

Please provide a cover letter along with your resume. Please ensure both of these documents are attached.

The annual base salary range for this position is $121,951 - $150,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff and their family with access to the renowned university medical network; retirement plans when you meet the Program's eligibility period; tuition benefits for staff and their family; free Professional Development classes; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services.

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

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About University of Southern California (USC)

USC is the leading private research university in Los Angeles—a global center for arts, technology and international business. With more than 47,500 students, we are located primarily in Los Angeles but also in various US and global satellite locations. As the largest private employer in Los Angeles, responsible for $8 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic and professional schools and administrative units. As a USC employee and member of the Trojan Family—the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work—you will enjoy excellent benefits, including a variety of well-being programs designed to help individuals achieve work-life balance.

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