Director, Development Research, University Schools & Units

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 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.

University Advancement is seeking a Director, Development Research, University Schools & Units to join its Prospect Development team. Reporting to Senior Director, Prospect Development, the incumbent will serve as a primary subject matter expert and leader for the development research program that supports USC’s schools and academic units and manage a team of development researchers focused on prospect identification for the University’s top fundraising priorities.

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:

• Provide structure and vision to the prospect identification and research program for USC’s academic schools and units and serve as a primary subject matter expert and resource for development research-related queries for USC’s advancement community.

• Organize and prioritize the research project backlog, delegate tasks where appropriate, and ensure that all queries and requests are answered efficiently and tracked effectively.

• Conceptualize strategic, high-impact prospect identification projects that support a robust prospect pipeline for the University’s top fundraising priorities, and partner with colleagues in Prospect Management to ensure all prospects move through the fundraising cycle efficiently.

• Oversee the creation and maintenance of news alerts for the University’s top prospects.

• Maintain the completeness and accuracy of advancement data through regular updates and audits.

• Provide project and resource management internally among the Prospect Development team and in partnership with and support of colleagues throughout the University Advancement community.

• Create, document, and refine development research standards, policies, procedures, and best practices.

• Ensure adherence to ethical prospect development practices and applicable data privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to FERPA, GDPR, and HIPAA.

• Supervise a team of development researchers.

• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• 7-10 years of development research, prospect management, or prospect development experience in a higher education, healthcare, or complex non-profit environment.

• Because this position works so closely with Prospect Management, the successful candidate should understand the concepts of that function, such as what it takes to perform complex analyses and organize information to identify philanthropic patterns, tendencies, and relationships among individuals, corporations, and foundations.

• An enterprising spirit with strong project management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, who embraces new ideas, provides and receives feedback well, and fosters professional growth among direct reports and colleagues.

• The ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

• A passion for excellent customer service, commitment to exceptional quality, and the ability to inspire colleagues toward accomplishing common objectives and goals in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience providing direct supervision to one or more staff.

• Strong proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, charts, formulas, etc.).

• Experience with fundraising CRMs (preferably Salesforce) and data visualization tools.

• The ability to interpret and analyze complex financial statements.

• Intermediate or advanced Excel skills, including but not limited to VLOOKUP, complex formulas, and charts.

Required Documents and Additional Information

Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $110,500 – $157,000. 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 & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events.

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: 7 years Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience Minimum Skills: Development research experience in higher education. Ability to self-manage, prioritize work assignments and manage multiple deadlines. Experience maintaining and interpreting large datasets and database systems. Excellent planning, organizational and interpersonal skills. Detail oriented with excellent written and oral communication skill. Proficient in Microsoft Office.