Associate Vice President, Health Sciences Advancement

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which comprises the faculty, students, and staff that make the university a prime place to learn, grow, and succeed.
University Advancement recognizes people as our greatest asset, and is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting USC’s mission, values, and goals. Successful candidates can demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

University Advancement seeks a talented, experienced fundraising professional for the position of Associate Vice President (AVP), Health Sciences Advancement. The AVP's primary responsibility will be to partner with the Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement in successfully securing principal and leadership gifts for the Campaign for Health.

The AVP, Health Sciences Advancement will serve as a lead fundraiser and strategist for individual, principal, corporate and foundation development prospects. The AVP will work in partnership with faculty leaders, researchers, administrators, and fundraisers across the university. In this role, they will also manage a portfolio of donors and prospects and be responsible for personally soliciting gifts to advance the goals of campaign initiatives. The AVP will support and facilitate the development efforts of colleagues to fundraise for and around various initiatives, maximizing campaign gifts and credit for involved schools and units. The AVP will successfully create, grow, and manage a principal gift pipeline to fuel USC's progress today and ensure the university's continued academic ascent.

The AVP, Health Sciences Advancement reports directly to the Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement. This position requires a solid understanding of the academic healthcare priorities and mission of the university; strong working relationships with the leadership of the university, schools and academic units; and a knowledge of the university's relation to charitable foundations.

Additional responsibilities:

• Build a comprehensive business plan that integrates Dornsife School of Arts and Letters, Viterbi School of Engineering, and Mann School of Pharmacy into a comprehensive fundamental science fundraising entity.

• Assist the VP of Health Sciences Advancement in the development of a comprehensive campaign business plan to achieve the remaining $2.5 million dollar Campaign for Health reaming goal.

• Participate in teambuilding exercises to establish the concept of Health Sciences fundraising across the multiple schools and disciplines that comprise the campaign effort.

• Implement comprehensive fundraising strategies that integrate scientific and multidisciplinary disciplines into cohesive and impactful productivity.

• Work collaboratively with the office of sponsored research and grants and contracts to ensure successful integration of private philanthropy and sponsored research to promote the growth of the institutions research portfolio.

• Review, confirm and partner with institutional legal office the nuances of philanthropic agreements that cross academic healthcare, scientific, technology transfer and commercialization activities.

• Work closely with the Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement on principal and leadership gift strategies, as well as on operations and budget issues related to the overall development program;

• Support activity related to assigned initiatives; assist in the implementation and execution of policies and procedures necessary for sound management of the university development program;

• Participate in the planning and implementation of initiatives associated with the university and its participating units provide guidance and oversight for initiatives related to assigned units, including working with assigned unit directors and leadership in developing program goals, plans and objectives, and the establishment of quantifiable, measurable accountabilities for use in monitoring program effectiveness and success;

• Ensure highest standards of fiscal responsibility and data integrity.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree

• 10 years of experience in higher education development/fundraising

• University administration and development

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication/negotiation skills

• Interpretation and analysis of policies and trends

• Organizational planning

• Public relations, public speaking/presentations, research

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven success in soliciting and closing seven and eight figure gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

• Demonstrated experience in interacting effectively with a broad range of constituents by inspiring prospects, staff, faculty, volunteer leaders and others to take action.

• Familiarity working with faculty, top executives and community leaders, gaining their confidence and respect.

• Accustomed to and comfortable with receiving and applying feedback and advice to improve performance.

Required Documents and Additional Information

Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $286,000 – $400,000. 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. 

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events.

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.