Director of Development for Annual Gifts & Outreach

In order for your application to be considered, you must submit a cover letter and resume with your employment application .

The USC Sol Price School of Public Policy has an immediate opening for a Director of Development for Annual Gifts & Outreach to join its team. This position plays a vital role in the success of the Price School with a focus on securing new and renewal gifts for the academic departments, programs, and research centers at the Sol Price School of Public Policy as well as developing strong alumni, parent, and donor relationships through targeted communication and outreach. This is a new position that recommends, creates, and delivers a regular cadence of advancement communication through a variety of mediums. This position will play a central development communication role in the launch and successful completion of the USC Price School centennial campaign, raising $100 million by 2029. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Director of Development for Annual Gifts & Outreach will manage a large leadership annual giving portfolio of prospective donors, with a target annual fundraising goal of $2 million in annual support from new and renewal gifts, including regular annual and recurring gift support. Creative communication strategies, adeptness for organizational process, attention to detail, and effective relationship building are essential skills for any top candidate. This is a full-time, hybrid work arrangement position, located on the USC Los Angeles University Park Campus.

Job Accountabilities :

Develops and coordinates production of fundraising and marketing materials. Liaises with university Public Relations Office to ensure goals of school or department are effectively represented to public.

Develops or participates in development and management of donor relations and prospect management systems, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Oversees volunteers and support groups and respective fundraising efforts, activities and / or events. Ensures events and activities are planned and implemented efficiently. Provides leadership guidance to volunteers who assist in the identification, cultivation and solicitation of major prospects.

Represents the school or department at professional and university meetings, seminars and conferences for professional development. Communicates goals and priorities of school or university to various professional communities.

Manages day-to-day fundraising operations for a school or department of the university. Participates in the development of fundraising goals, policies and short and long-term strategies. Assesses, analyzes and evaluates fundraising programs, specialized projects or major events. Identifies problem areas or need for change and provides recommendations for modifications or adjustments.

Identifies, cultivates and solicits major prospects. Develops strategies for cultivating  participation.

Prepares annual development reports assessing progress toward achievement of goals. Analyzes and evaluates information to identify trends and patterns, evaluates strategies and makes recommendations.

Minimum Education : Bachelor’s degree

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

5 years of experience; combined experience / education as substitute for minimum education

Experience in development and maintaining meaningful relationships with a wide variety of internal / external stakeholders

Major campaign, fundraising, public relations and / or volunteer management experience

Excellent interpersonal skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Possess great attention to detail

Knowledge of relevant software and databases to support constituent-relationship management and data pulls

Experience with policy, governance, democracy, or related fields

Integrity, accountability and diplomacy

Compensation :

The annual base salary range for this position is $132,563 - $148,831. 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.

About the Sol Price School of Public Policy

Founded in 1929, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy provides education and conducts research focused on public policy, urban planning and real estate development. Ranked 3rd nationwide among 268 public affairs programs—including #2 in Urban Policy, #6 in Health Policy and Management, and #7 in Homeland Security and Emergency Management—the USC Price School advances society through better governance and institutional leadership, sustainable urban planning and real estate development, and more effective social and health care policy. With a commitment to public service, its graduates become leaders in government, nonprofit agencies, and the private sector, while faculty shape policy through innovative, fact-based research.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated s confidential to the extent permitted by law.

Manages fundraising function for a school or a development department of the university through identification, cultivation and solicitation of alumni and other donors, and / or government agencies. May participate in development of fundraising plans and strategies for a specific geographic area.