Associate Director of Development

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is 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 comprises the faculty, students, and staff that make the university a prime place to learn, grow, and succeed.

University Advancement recognizes people as our greatest asset, and 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 USC’s mission, values, and goals. Successful candidates can demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

USC's University Advancement Office is seeking an AssociateDirector of Development. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, the Associate Director will be a road warrior role responsible for a high-volume of prospect discovery, qualification, and solicitation.

The Associate Director will develop an extensive knowledge of USC and its many programs, with a specific emphasis on USC’s most immediate campus-wide fundraising priorities, including artificial intelligence and computing; sustainability; scholarship and student access; and diversity and equity. The ideal candidate must have the ability to build productive relationships with prospects and donors and demonstrated experience identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting annual, leadership, and/or major gifts.

The ideal candidate must be self-motivated, possess excellent communications skills, and demonstrate the ability to secure a high-volume of visits and qualify new prospects. The candidate will work toward both monthly performance metrics and annual fundraising targets.

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.

This is a hybrid position under our current work arrangement plan, with the expectation of on-site presence in our downtown Los Angeles office (USC Tower).

Responsibilities:

• Conduct a high-volume of prospect discovery, qualification, and solicitation.

• Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gifts and participate in the development of fundraising goals, policies and short- and long-term strategies.

• Work independently and creatively to match donor interests with institutional priorities and develop funding proposals and negotiate gifts.

• Develop and maintain relationships with academic and other unit colleagues on campus, including executive officers, Deans, and development colleagues. Seek assistance from these colleagues where needed to ensure that the best prospects are actively managed.

• Identify strategies for donor prospect cultivation. Conduct research to update and expand donor base. Draft gift proposals.

• 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.

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

Essential skills for success: 

• Demonstrates a proactive approach and proficiency in connecting, engaging, and actively soliciting prospects.

• Displays a passionate commitment to daily engagement with new contacts to achieve high-volume metrics with a sense of urgency and effectiveness

• Draws energy from social interactions and comfortable with making direct asks of alumni and the greater USC community

• Ability to self-manage, prioritize work assignments, and manage multiple deadlines.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's degree

• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:

• 5 years of related work experience, including annual, leadership and/or major gifts or other fundraising experience

• Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience

• Experience maintaining meaningful relationships with a wide variety of internal/external stakeholders.

• Ability to build strong relationships with prospects, donors, volunteers and other key stakeholders

• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality, maintain composure under pressure, and have the capacity to handle multiple projects and meet deadlines

• Able to travel and attend University functions during and after normal business hours

• Experience maintaining and interpreting large datasets and database systems.

• Excellent planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Detail oriented with excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

Preferred Experience:

• 5 years of related work experience in fundraising and/or higher education.

• Extensive customer service experience.

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 budgeted salary for this position is $95,000 - $102,608. 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.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Fundraising, campaigns and/or volunteer management