Careers

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

In 2011, the university opened its first office in New York City.  This office is responsible for creating a visible presence for USC in New York and throughout the northeast region and establishing philanthropic support for the university’s strategic goals and objectives.

USC University Advancement is seeking Principal Gifts Officer to join its New York Regional Office of Advancement. Reporting to the Executive Director, New York Office of University Advancement, the incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive fundraising strategies for securing philanthropic support from a portfolio of approximately 75 principal gift prospects on the east coast. The incumbent will focus on identifying and cultivating prospects with an emphasis on gifts of $1,000,000 and above, and will work toward both monthly and annual metrics of performance, including annual philanthropic targets. The incumbent will work in the New York metropolitan area.

Domestic travel, evening and weekend events will be required from time to time. Candidates must reside in the metropolitan tri-state region (New York, NJ, Southern CT) area and be commuting distance to the New York Office. Travel to Los Angeles is required.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• Ability to build productive relationships with a variety of constituents, including alumni, parents, friends, and affiliates of the university

• A proven fundraising track record that includes directly soliciting, negotiating, and closing six and seven-figure gifts, preferably in an academic setting

• Ability to develop, implement, and assess effective donor-centered fundraising strategies; a high level of organization and professionalism

• Ability to think creatively and be open to new ideas

• Excellent interpersonal skills to relate to donors, volunteers, and colleagues, including:

• ​Excellent judgment, diplomacy, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality in and outside of the organization

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

• Strong organizational skills, detail-orientation, and ability to self-motivate

• Willingness to be an enthusiastic contributor the broader advancement community

• A natural affinity for collaboration, ability to lead through influence and impact, and a high level of emotional intelligence and curiosity

• Ability to navigate and excel in a complex and competitive organization

USC values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. USC University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders can connect, belong, and grow while supporting the USC’s mission, values, and goals.

Responsibilities:

• The PGO will develop and implement strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of principal gift donor prospects, approximately 75, who are alumni, parents, and friends of USC. 

• Engage in qualification, strategy development, relationship building and closing of principal gifts at $1,000,000+.

• Consistently raise $3,000,000 to $5,000,000+ per year.

• Participate in goal setting, proposal preparation, strategy development, and stewardship as required for donors in the portfolio.

• Successfully and consistently deliver principal gift level funding proposals to prospective and current donors.

• Effectively work with, communicate with, and collaborate with faculty, academic leaders, and other development colleagues to develop campus-wide funding opportunities.

• Writes proposals for presentation to individual prospects, and from time to time, foundations, and corporations. Participates in development and management of donor relations and prospect management systems, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

• Ensure high touch cultivation events and activities are planned and implemented efficiently and professionally.

• Identify and research donor base to curate portfolio.

• Participate in discussions and information sharing to advance donor-centric strategy for principal gift prospects.

• Coordinate with University senior leadership to advance gift conversations and steward relationships.

• Maintain appropriate electronic documentation on a timely basis, including engagement activities, proposal tracking, contact reports, donor strategies, and forecasting.

• Promote an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Five years of directly-related fundraising experience.

• Demonstrated ability to execute successful full-cycle donor strategy.

• Demonstrated success in closing several $1M+ gifts.

• Willingness to collaborate and work as part of a team.

• Demonstrated ability to show tenacity and be nimble and drive results.

• Highly effective communication and project management skills (written, verbal, interpersonal).

• Ability to think strategically and creatively and work well under pressure.

• Capable of working independently, while also engaging in collaboration between teams.

• Ability to travel frequently to visit prospects and donors. Domestic travel, evening and weekend events is required.

• Ability to use discretion and maintain integrity. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree.

• Five to seven years of directly-related fundraising experience.

• Experience in higher education or health fundraising preferred.

Required Documents and Additional Information:

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The annual base salary range for this position is $175,000 - $200,000. 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 & their family; and free professional development online courses.
 

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

Logo

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.

Connections working at University of Southern California (USC)