Chief Development Officer for Energy, Climate, and Environment (0463U) 86640

Chief Development Officer for Energy, Climate, and Environment (0463U) #86640

The Chief Development Officer for the Office of Energy, Climate, and Environment is a senior advancement leader who designs, develops, and delivers fundraising programs that support the university’s broader strategic goals to provide long‑term societal benefit. This position reports to the Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment (AP‑ECE) and works across disciplines with academic and fundraising leaders to build relationships with new and existing individual prospects and foundations and create solicitation strategies based on donor capacity and interest.

As an expert fundraising professional in the area of major and principal gifts, the role maintains a portfolio of donors and prospects and may oversee professional staff if funding allows. The position is expected to raise gift dollar amounts at a minimum of $5 M annually, collaborating with AP‑ECE and University Development and Alumni Relations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 40‑60 prospects with capacity to give $5 M or greater, and collaborate with colleagues to advance those who may give $10 M+. Qualify major gift prospects and solicit gifts directly.
• Ensure that predetermined fundraising goals are met and raise at least $5 M annually through individual and collaborative fundraising once the portfolio is established.
• Build effective relationships across and beyond campus.
• Act as an expert development professional in philanthropy and principal gifts, leading highly complex gift discussions and interactions with donors capable of making significant contributions.
• Lead proactive collaborative efforts to develop coordinated strategies for prospects shared by more than one academic unit; facilitate action plans and monitor implementation.
• Create and execute events and activities for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation to advance gift conversations.
• Drive and manage strategic, personalized engagement with donors, including interaction with academic leaders, faculty, and key campus supporters and volunteers.
• Prepare and present formal fundraising proposals to major and principal gift donors and prospects, or prepare senior campus leaders to present proposals.
• Ensure that proposals are well crafted, drawing on support from in‑house communications and gaining sign‑off from relevant academic leaders.
• Ensure that gifts are well stewarded, engaging campus partners for appropriate recognition, and ensuring all appropriate reporting and documentation is undertaken.
• Collaborate and partner with AP‑ECE, VOCRO, Rausser College of Natural Resources, College of Engineering, College of Chemistry, College of Letters & Science, Organized Research Units, and other stakeholders to ensure forward momentum with this university‑wide priority.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and priorities and ensure effective strategy, implementation, and reporting of development activities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on prospect strategies and collaborations with faculty.

Required Qualifications

• Substantial years (usually 8 +) of high‑level performance in principal and major gift fundraising.
• Expert knowledge of all aspects of fundraising strategies, structuring complex gifts, donor relations, and advancement communications.
• Successful track record in building strong professional relationships with major philanthropists, academic leaders, collaborating development professionals, and other key stakeholders.
• Relevant field experience, project/program management skills, organization, communication, interpersonal skills, and strong writing skills.
• Advanced knowledge of fundraising in a campaign at an organization with relevant content; demonstrated interest and passion for contributing to access and justice relating to energy, climate, and/or environment.
• Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience or training.

Salary & Benefits

The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $182,800 – $235,000. The full salary range for this classification is $124,700 – $240,900. For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California’s Compensation & Benefits website.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct Disclosure

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven year determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC’s policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.