Executive Director of Gift Planning

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.

University Advancement seeks to recruit a highly talented and experienced gift planning professional for the position of Executive Director of Gift Planning to secure planned gifts for Advancing Health. This position reports to Associate Vice President for Gift Planning, University Advancement and will work closely with the key stakeholders of one of the following schools: Keck School of Medicine at USC and across USC in the areas related to Advancing Health to lead gift planning fundraising between University Advancement and the designated academic units/programs for Advancing Health. This role will drive multi-disciplinary gift planning fundraising for Advancing Health and serves as a key partner to help achieve Advancing Health fundraising goals. Opportunity to grow a team over time.  

Domestic travel, evening and weekend events will be required from time to time. Candidates must reside within commuting distance to the Downtown Los Angeles office.

The incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive gift planning fundraising strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of approximately 50 planned giving prospects with an emphasis on gifts of $1,000,000 and above, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of gifts to support Advancing Health. 

This is a role that requires a professional with excellent verbal and written communication skills, an entrepreneurial thinker and a problem solver. The ideal candidate must possess strong gift planning technical, relationship building and management skills. Familiarity working with faculty, top executives and community leaders is desired. The candidate should be accustomed to and comfortable with receiving and applying feedback to continually improve. The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate a history of success in their prior field/position, with special focus on success in designing, implementing, and administering innovative gift planning fundraising programs that require creative solutions and energized problem-solving approaches.

Responsibilities:

• Raise principal gift level planned gifts towards Advancing Health, developing, managing, and soliciting a portfolio of high-net-worth prospects.

• Partner with university faculty and advancement leaders to align and organize multi-disciplinary stakeholders to tackle key priorities of Advancing Health.

• Serve as a key advancement partner tothe Keck School of Medicine at USC and across USC in the areas related to Advancing Health to lead gift planning fundraising between University Advancement and the designated academic units/programs for Advancing Health.

• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 50 principal gift level planned giving prospects (1M+).

• Work independently and also collaboratively with the University Advancement team, Keck School of Medicine at USC and academic units/program across USC in the areas related to Advancing Health in creating and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and financial support planned gifts.

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

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

• Represent 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.

Required Education: Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Education: Master’s or J.D. degree and/or relevant professional certifications highly preferred

Minimum Skills & Experience:

• Minimum experience of 8 years in gift planning.

• 6 or more years of experience in gift planning in major campaign, fundraising, and senior volunteer group management experience, preferably at a complex research university as part of the required minimum experience of 8 years.

• Significant knowledge of and experience with gift planning vehicles, as well as relevant tax accounting, legal requirements and suitable assets. 

• Experienced senior gift planning fundraising professional with a demonstrated track record of personally closing multiple planned gifts of $1M-$5M+ annually.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• A valid driver’s license is required.

• Ability to follow established USC and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan. Practices a high level of integrity and honesty in maintaining confidentiality.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Preferred experience of 15 years in gift planning.

• 10 or more years of experience in gift planning in a major campaign, fundraising, and senior volunteer group management experience, preferably at a complex research university as part of the preferred 15 years of experience in gift planning.

• Experienced senior fundraising professional with a demonstrated track record of personally closing multiple planned gifts of $5M-$10M+ annually.

• Expertise, knowledge, and experience working within one or more areas designated as

• priorities and/or university health related campaign.

• Notable examples of success fundraising for research priorities.

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 $225,000 – $270,000. 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 Minimum Experience: 8 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Eight years’ experience in planning development efforts in support of institutional and departmental strategies, and managing and leading goal-oriented teams. Experience in academic and/or higher education development, collaborating with prominent faculty, and working understanding of university research units. Demonstrated track record of success securing major gifts and meeting fundraising goals. Exemplary interpersonal skills for communicating for “cold calling,” developing relationships with all types of students, staff and alumni, and being particularly sensitive to diverse, sophisticated, high-net worth individuals and groups. Knowledge of human resources processes, with experience in mediation, negotiation, staff development, and teaching/training staff. Demonstrated experience developing communication plans, instructional materials and related content, and with conducting in-person meetings. Experience applying policies and procedures, writing legal and technical documents, and at assembling, organizing, and conceptualizing numerical data in spreadsheets, databases, reports, and presentations. Lead/guidance skills, with the ability to manage, balance and prioritize different tasks and projects for various projects. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Knowledge of risk management and liability issues affecting higher education.