Senior Director of Development, UCI MIND

University of California, Irvine•Irvine, CA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director of Development (SDOD) for the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND) is a mid-level development professional who works collaboratively with the Director of UCI MIND and University Advancement (UA) to contribute to the development program of UCI MIND and secure significant philanthropic investments to support it. The Senior Director will maintain a portfolio of donor prospects that includes the most influential, complex or highest rated donors. The primary activity of the SDOD is externally focused to cultivate and secure private philanthropic support; the SDOD’s effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to achieve financial goals and meet metrics. The SDOD reports directly to University Advancement, with a dotted line to the UCI MIND Director. The SDOD will serve as a member of the UCI MIND leadership team and will also be a highly collaborative colleague with other development officers across the campus. In 2025, UCI MIND received the largest donation in its history, a family gift of more than $50M. This gift launched campaign to construct a new physical home for UCI MIND on campus and established new opportunities to enhance philanthropic support. The SDOD will be the point person for UCI MIND and University Advancement in this exciting new phase.

Requirements

Expert knowledge of all aspects of individual, foundation, corporate, and government fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
Expert written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location in order to secure gifts.
Expert organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.
Expert project / program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program / project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.
Extensive experience in the completion of complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
Extensive experience in working independently with both Institute and institutional goals in mind.
Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or a comparable donor/prospect database system.
Extensive demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
Clarity of focus while juggling complex projects and/or deadlines.
Ability to meet demanding work schedule expectations.
Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
Five to seven years' successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience, preferably in higher education, OR, any equivalent combinations of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.
Must be able to provide proof of work authorization

Nice To Haves

Expert working knowledge of all aspects of the location, including current issues of concern for both the campus and / or throughout higher education / healthcare generally.
Expert knowledge of the location, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
Expert knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
CFRE is welcomed, but not required.

Responsibilities

Maintain a portfolio of donor prospects that includes the most influential, complex or highest rated donors.
Cultivate and secure private philanthropic support.
Achieve financial goals and meet metrics.
Serve as a member of the UCI MIND leadership team.
Be a highly collaborative colleague with other development officers across the campus.
Be the point person for UCI MIND and University Advancement in the new phase of constructing a new physical home for UCI MIND on campus and enhancing philanthropic support.