Executive Director of Development

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 an Executive Director of Development to join its team. This position plays a vital role in the success of the Price School with a focus on revenue generation for the support of the highest priorities of the dean, including faculty research, student support, new initiatives, existing program support, and more. This is a new position that will oversee the Director of Development for Annual Gifts & Outreach, develop and help direct advancement engagement efforts, and strategically increase ROI on signature events. This position will play a central fundraising role in the launch and successful completion of the USC Price School centennial campaign, raising $100 million by 2029. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Advancement, the Executive Director of Development will manage a portfolio of approximately 80-100 individuals and family foundations, with a target annual fundraising goal of $5 million. Attention to detail, adeptness for relationship building, effective communication, and fundraising management experience 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:

• Identifies, cultivates and solicits major prospects, and develops strategic plans for cultivating participation. Develops and manages donor relations and prospect management systems, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Develops, prepares and presents formal fundraising proposals to major donors and prospects.

• Designs and implements highly specialized program activities. Contributes to short- and long-term strategic program planning. Recommends goals and objectives. Plans, organizes and implements specialized activities as part of overall school development programs.

• Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.

• Manages and provides guidance to development staff. Recruits, hires, trains and manages program staff. Schedules and assigns work, assessing performance and providing feedback. Counsels or disciplines staff as needed. Identifies and recommends opportunities for staff training, professional growth and development.

• Manages and oversees fundraising and/or marketing materials. Collaborates with university stakeholders. Serves as a resource for assigned areas of expertise. Interacts with prospects, donors, staff and outside professionals to provide information regarding assigned specialized programs.

• Develops and manages school or department operating budgets. Provides financial status reports and projections. Maintains awareness and knowledge of current changes within legal and regulatory environments which may affect development and university policies. Participates in professional meetings and conferences, and/or contributes to relevant journals or publications.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree

Knowledge, Experience & Skills

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

• Minimum of 1 year of fundraising management experience

• 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 planning, organizational and interpersonal skills

• Ability to self-manage, prioritize work assignments, and manage multiple deadlines

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

• Detail oriented with excellent written and oral communication skills

• Experience with policy, governance, democracy, or related fields

• Integrity, accountability, and diplomacy

Compensation:

The annual base salary range for this position is $151,436 – $173,135. 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.

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed, and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship.