Executive Director of Development

Executive Director of Development – Office of External Relations, USC Marshall School of Business The Executive Director of Development is a newly created position within the Office of External Relations, responsible for overseeing Corporate and Foundation Relations, Annual Giving, and serving as a principal gift officer. The role reports to the Assistant Dean, External Relations and has an annual goal of upwards to $10M, managing a portfolio of principal gift prospects and donors with a focus on $1M+ gifts. Responsibilities Oversee Corporate and Foundation Relations and Annual Giving and the directors in these areas to support their fundraising success. Manage a portfolio of 50 principal gift prospects and donors within an assigned geographic region. Identify and cultivate potential principal gift donors to support USC Marshall through endowment and current use gifts. Utilize knowledge of prospects’ interests to develop and execute sophisticated, donor‑centered solicitation strategies for major gift prospects. Plan long‑range, multi‑step engagement strategies. Plan and conduct face‑to‑face meetings and visits with donors and potential donors. Responsible for meeting or exceeding assigned annual and monthly goals, including goals for face‑to‑face visits, solicitations, successful gift closures, and dollars raised. Success will be measured by the Executive Director’s ability to uncover prospective donors’ philanthropic interests; the quality of prospect strategies; their ability to move donors from cultivation to solicitation; and the successful closure of gifts. Strategically leverage academic leadership, including the Dean, Senior Associate Dean, faculty, and other gift officers in the process of cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of donors to USC Marshall. Maintain knowledge of planned giving opportunities and use that knowledge in prospect cultivation and solicitation as appropriate. Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time. Qualifications Master’s degree. Minimum of 7‑10 years of experience in principal and major gifts fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, and annual giving. Experience in a higher education environment, preferably in a business or professional school. Demonstrated persistence and ability to cultivate and close on major gifts. Ability to professionally form and leverage relationships with top prospects, engage key constituents, and secure significant gifts through effective relationship management. Highest levels of professionalism, organization, collegiality, self‑motivation, and a strong desire for continuous improvement. Exceptional active listening skills: ability to draw out interests, motivations, and objections to advance gift conversations. Strategic and conceptual thinker with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and handle difficult situations with aplomb and a sense of humor. High level of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and initiative. Team orientation and natural inclination toward collaboration and leading through influence. Willingness to mentor colleagues as appropriate. Goal‑oriented and results‑driven. Ability and willingness to travel frequently. Capability to work across disciplinary and interdisciplinary lines, interacting successfully with a diverse constituency of varying abilities, backgrounds, interests and beliefs. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Passion for the transformative power of higher education and business schools. Interest in business and the ability to be a persuasive advocate for business education. Knowledge of complex academic institutions and experience staffing academic leaders in development work (preferred). Compensation The annual base salary range for this position is $151,435.99 – $198,266.85. EEO Statement The University of Southern 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr