Chief Development Officer

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

11d • $200,000 - $250,000

About The Position

The University of Southern California seeks an accomplished advancement leader to serve as Chief Development Officer (CDO) for the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Reporting to the Dean of the Mann School, with a dotted-line relationship to the Vice President, Health Sciences Advancement, the CDO serves as the school’s senior fundraising executive and leads all aspects of its comprehensive development program. The role plans, organizes, develops, implements, and executes short- and long-term strategies to secure major, principal, and transformational gifts from individuals, alumni, foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic partners.

Working closely with the Dean, faculty, staff, volunteers, and university leadership, the CDO advances the school’s strategic priorities through philanthropy. The position oversees fundraising strategy, donor engagement, stewardship, volunteer management, development operations, and staff leadership, while serving as an ambassador for the Mann School and USC.

The Mann School offers an opportunity to advance its education and research programs, pharmacy operations, patient care, and community engagement. The CDO will help secure philanthropic support for research, therapeutic innovation, translational medicine, student success, and initiatives that improve health outcomes. The ideal candidate combines fundraising expertise with the ability to engage a scientific and translational research enterprise, translate complex research into compelling philanthropic opportunities, and build credibility with researchers, clinicians, industry leaders, patients, alumni, foundations, and donors.

The role includes recruiting, mentoring, and leading development staff; setting goals and monitoring progress; managing the annual development budget; and promoting a collaborative, high-performing, inclusive workplace consistent with the USC Code of Ethics. The annual base salary range is $200,000-$250,000. USC states that benefits-eligible employees receive a broad range of benefits and perks as part of its total rewards package. Resume and cover letter are required and may be submitted as one attachment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 8 years of professional experience in a university advancement or development setting.
• Experience 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 success securing major gifts and meeting fundraising goals.
• Exceptional communication, networking, and relationship-management skills, including success engaging and influencing faculty, alumni, volunteers, donors, and high-net-worth individuals.
• Knowledge of human resources processes and experience in mediation, negotiation, staff development, and teaching or training staff.
• Experience developing communication plans, instructional materials, and related content, and conducting in-person meetings.
• Experience applying policies and procedures, writing legal and technical documents, and organizing and conceptualizing numerical data in spreadsheets, databases, reports, and presentations.
• Leadership and guidance skills, including the ability to manage, balance, and prioritize multiple tasks and projects.
• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.
• Knowledge of risk management and liability issues affecting higher education.
• Resume and cover letter are required; they may be submitted as one attachment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree.
• 10 years of professional experience within a university advancement or development setting.
• Experience with donor or development management systems, such as SalesForce, DonorPerfect, Raiser’s Edge NXT, eTapestry, Bloomerang, or easyTithe.
• Understanding and experience in development and/or fundraising in Los Angeles and the Greater Southern California region.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, implementation, and execution of comprehensive fundraising and stewardship strategies supporting the Mann School’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Secure major, principal, and transformational gifts from individuals, alumni, foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic partners.
• Partner with the Dean, faculty, and university leadership to identify funding priorities and develop philanthropic opportunities aligned with institutional goals.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors, and expand and strengthen the school’s donor pipeline.
• Represent the Mann School to donors, alumni, foundations, corporations, volunteers, and other stakeholders.
• Translate complex scientific and research initiatives into compelling cases for philanthropic investment.
• Plan and direct donor visits, engagement opportunities, and special events that advance fundraising objectives.
• Collaborate with university partners on donor communications, fundraising materials, impact stories, and stewardship initiatives.
• Encourage and support faculty engagement with foundations and corporate partners, and facilitate philanthropic proposals when appropriate.
• Develop and oversee the annual development budget and steward resources effectively.
• Recruit, mentor, and lead development staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and inclusive team culture.
• Establish goals, monitor progress, provide coaching and feedback, and empower staff and volunteers through active communication and leadership.
• Maintain awareness of legal, regulatory, and policy developments affecting philanthropy and higher education advancement.
• Promote a workplace culture in which employees are valued and can contribute in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.

Benefits

• A broad range of benefits and perks for benefits-eligible employees to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future, included as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive