University of Southern California-posted 1 day ago
$185,214 - $240,000/Yr
Full-time • Director
Hybrid • Los Angeles, CA
5,001-10,000 employees

USC Advancement is seeking a strategic, relationship-centered, results-oriented fundraising leader to serve as Executive Director of Principal Gifts, USC Athletics, who will be responsible for building and securing high-level philanthropic support of one of the nation’s premier athletics programs. Reporting directly to the Associate Senior Vice President of University Advancement, with a dotted line into USC Athletics (to the Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Development Officer), this individual will play a hands-on, donor-facing role focused on cultivating, soliciting, and closing seven and eight-figure gifts ($1M+) to advance the strategic priorities of USC Athletics. The Executive Director will be a frontline fundraiser who thrives on the challenge of building relationships, developing creative solicitation strategies, and achieving ambitious goals that directly enhance the student-athlete experience, expand facilities, and strengthen USC’s position as a leader in collegiate athletics. This individual will hire and manage one direct report, Director of Principal Gifts, USC Athletics. This is a hybrid position under USC’s current work arrangement plan. Evenings, weekends, and travel are required for this position.

  • Serve as a frontline principal gift officer, personally managing a robust national portfolio of prospects with the capacity to give $1M+
  • Lead every stage of the donor lifecycle from identification and cultivation to solicitation and stewardship, with a goal of securing multiple seven- and eight-figure commitments annually
  • Develop and execute customized, data-informed cultivation strategies that align donor interests with USC Athletics priorities
  • Partner and provide support to the Director of Athletics and advancement leaders to design compelling proposals and gift opportunities that drive transformational support
  • Schedule donor visits utilizing key athletic department leaders including the Director of Athletics and Head Coaches/General Managers.
  • Achieve and exceed defined performance metrics, including annual visit, solicitation, and revenue goals
  • Travel and attend marquee games and events to build meaningful connections with donors and prospects while representing USC with pride
  • Work closely with the Director of Athletics, Athletics Major Gifts team, and University Advancement leadership to advance strategic priorities and ensure cohesive donor engagement
  • Attend regular Athletics and Advancement staff meetings to maintain strong alignment between development initiatives and programmatic goals
  • Coordinate donor strategies with peers across campus to ensure holistic relationship management and institutional alignment
  • Engage and inspire alumni, parents, and friends of USC Athletics through events, game-day experiences, and regional programs that deepen donor connection to the Trojan spirit
  • Work collaboratively with Advancement Communications and Athletics staff to deliver personalized donor experiences that showcase impact and gratitude
  • Represent USC Athletics with professionalism, discretion, and credibility when engaging high-profile prospects and partners
  • Provide mentorship and strategic guidance to development colleagues, modeling best practices in principal gift fundraising
  • Contribute to overall campaign planning and execution within University Advancement, ensuring Athletics fundraising efforts align with broader institutional priorities
  • Maintain a disciplined approach to prospect management, documentation, and reporting within the Advancement CRM (Salesforce)
  • Directly supervise one full-time professional staff member and may provide functional oversight of additional staff, as assigned.
  • Bachelor’s degree (or combined experience/education as a substitute); Master’s degree preferred
  • Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive professional fundraising experience, preferably in higher education, intercollegiate athletics, or related nonprofit environments, including advancement or development leadership roles
  • Proven success securing major and principal gifts, managing a national principal gift portfolio, and achieving ambitious fundraising and revenue goals
  • Experience developing and executing comprehensive advancement strategies aligned with institutional priorities
  • Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to guide, mentor, and motivate high-performing teams
  • Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated success engaging high-level donors and institutional stakeholders
  • Highly organized with exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and project management abilities
  • Ability to navigate complex organizations, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities with discretion and professionalism
  • Strong understanding of intercollegiate athletics, donor motivations, and the role of philanthropy in sports programs
  • Experience with donor and development management systems (e.g., Salesforce, DonorPerfect, Raiser’s Edge NXT, eTapestry, Bloomerang, easyTithe)
  • To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of USC’s total rewards package.
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