Director, Advancement - Major Gifts

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

3d•$132,563 - $148,831•Hybrid

About The Position

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s Advancement team supports the School’s philanthropic, alumni, industry, and constituent engagement priorities through coordinated fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, communications, events, and advancement operations. In partnership with school leadership, academic departments, faculty, University Advancement colleagues, alumni, donors, and external partners, the team advances university fundraising campaigns and school-level fundraising plans while building relationships that support Viterbi’s strategic priorities and philanthropic goals. The Director, Advancement - Major Gifts manages a portfolio of approximately 75 major gift prospects, primarily at the $1 million level and above, and develops strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $250,000 to $5 million or more. The Director works independently and collaboratively with Viterbi leadership, faculty, and University Advancement colleagues to build donor relationships and secure philanthropic support for the School. The position develops fundraising proposals for priorities such as endowed chairs and professorships, graduate fellowships, capital projects, and program support. It also prepares and staffs university and school leaders for donor interactions, engages volunteers in fundraising, coordinates donor stewardship, and maintains accurate prospect records and fundraising forecasts. The role is hybrid, with onsite work as needed and potential local, domestic, and international travel. Occasional evening and weekend work may be necessary. Duties and assignments may change in response to business needs, advancement priorities, campaigns, constituent needs, emerging technologies, and organizational requirements. The incumbent is expected to adapt to changing priorities, support alignment between university-wide and Viterbi fundraising, identify opportunities for innovation, and contribute to continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or combined experience and education as a substitute for the minimum education requirement.
At least 5 years of experience.
Major campaign, fundraising, public relations, and/or volunteer management experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed for donor engagement and fundraising priorities.
Ability to work onsite as needed and travel locally, domestically, and internationally as required.
Strong relationship-building skills and ability to work effectively with donors, faculty, administrators, board members, trustees, and university partners.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including fundraising proposal development and presentation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital tools for prospect management and contact documentation.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated fundraising success, including personally securing major gifts of $250,000 to $5 million or more.
Experience with major gift fundraising and campaigns, preferably at a complex research university.
Master’s degree.
At least 7 years of preferred experience.

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 major gift prospects, primarily at the $1 million level and above, and develop individualized strategies, contact plans, and solicitation pathways.
Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making gifts of $250,000 to $5 million or more.
Develop and present fundraising proposals for endowed chairs and professorships, graduate fellowships, capital projects, and program support.
Partner with the Dean, faculty, academic leaders, and Advancement colleagues to develop gift opportunities, strengthen donor relationships, and secure philanthropic commitments.
Prepare and staff university and school leaders for donor meetings, solicitations, and follow-up.
Identify and engage volunteers who can assist with prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Develop donor stewardship plans and coordinate recognition and follow-up with university and school partners.
Manage prospect activity, travel, and cultivation strategies to maximize fundraising effectiveness and productivity.
Maintain timely and accurate prospect records, contact reports, forecasts, and next steps in accordance with University Advancement policies and procedures.
Achieve established fundraising revenue, activity, pipeline, and proposal goals.
Adapt to changing priorities and support coordination between university-wide fundraising initiatives and Viterbi School priorities.
Identify opportunities for innovation and contribute to continuous improvement across the advancement and fundraising enterprise.