Director of Development, Kroc School of Peace Studies

Director of Development, Kroc School of Peace Studies

Posting #: 5595

Position Status: Full-time regular

Location: San Diego

Position Type: Administrator, University Advancement

Position Title & Department:

Director of Development, Kroc School of Peace Studies; School of Peace Studies

Posting #
5595

Department Description:
Giving is paramount in the University of San Diego's ability to support the many needs of the university and its students across the campus and around the world. Development is, by definition, the process of creating and enhancing relationships with (potential) donors to ensure current and future funding. It is incredibly exciting and inspiring to be working at a university that fosters a university-wide ecosystem that strengthens the collective capacity of our students, faculty, staff, and community partners to address humanity's most urgent challenges through meaningful, sustainable, and innovative collaborations to advance USD's mission. Members of the university development team are uniquely positioned to be a part of changemaking every day as they work with numerous constituencies within the university community as well as our engaged alumni, parents, and friends.

The Kroc School of Peace Studies trains the changemakers and peacebuilders of today and tomorrow. Kroc is the first stand-alone school of peace in the United States. Innovation in learning and programs is at the center of what we do and who we are. We combine theory and practice not just to understand crises and world issues, but also to imagine new possibilities and develop solutions to humanity's urgent challenges from increasing inequality and violence to climate change. At Kroc, people discover new ways of building more peaceful and socially just communities through a multidisciplinary lens and experiential learning. We look for passionate individuals who believe in the power of university learning to transform the world for the better.

University Description:
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.

Detailed Description:
The director of Development for the Kroc School of Peace Studies is responsible for major gift fundraising duties for the school and university-wide priorities. With the associate vice president for Development (AVP) in University Advancement and the dean of the school, the director develops a comprehensive fundraising program for private support from faculty, staff, alumni, friends of the Kroc School, individuals in the community, corporations, and foundations to solicit donors at all levels of giving to the school but with particular emphasis on major gifts. Major gifts include those cash or property gifts of $25,000 or more. The director develops strategies for identification, cultivation and stewardship of donors for all approved fundraising priorities at the school and other areas at USD when appropriate. The director must be able to effectively communicate the Kroc School's unique story, its vision, and impact and reflect the organization's culture as a whole.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Collaboration and Support: Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies

• Work directly with the Kroc School deans, faculty, department heads, institutes and centers to identify, plan, coordinate, and implement the school's fundraising priorities.
• Work with the school's faculty and departments to promote new relationships and enhance existing relationships with potential donors.
• Collaborate with the Kroc School's director of Marketing and Communications in promoting the school and its mission, assist in developing communication strategies, leverage planned event content and scheduling, and identify opportunities for media coverage as required.
• Actively participate in supporting major goals and activities, such as student recruiting and retention, commencement, Distinguished Alumni selections, class gifts, and career development and placement opportunities.
• Identify prospects for the school's Board of Advisors; assist Board in recommending and researching potential new members.
• With the dean, run effective board meetings and lead follow up steps; prepare meeting materials and complete meeting minutes.
• Assist the school's units and programs in their engagement of advisor groups; guide unit leaders with identification and recruitment of prospective supporters.
• Directly communicate with the school's project managers regarding the availability and restrictions of funds.
• Serve as the project manager for the school's development budget, developing and managing the annual operating plan.
• Provide regular quantitative reports to the Kroc School's leadership team and faculty regarding short and long-term fundraising goals, results, and challenges.
• Consistently review accurate recording of donations in CRM and financial management platforms; initiate corrections as necessary.

Fundraising

• Identify priority prospects for annual, special, and major gifts and implement fundraising strategies.
• Develop cultivation and solicitation strategies for assigned prospects.
• Achieve fundraising goals as established by the AVP and dean for specific metrics, including but not limited to dollars raised, contacts made, and proposals submitted; meet established capital campaign unit goals.
• Initiate, cultivate, solicit, and steward all assigned and major gift prospects for all approved fundraising priorities for the Kroc School and the university; actively cultivate a portfolio of major giving donors and prospective donors.
• Work closely with the Kroc Alumni Ambassador and central Office of Alumni Relations to develop relationships with alumni leading to solicitation of gifts that will result in increasing both the number and amount of contributions.
• Work closely with the Offices of Advancement Services, Foundation Relations, Parent and Family Relations, and other directors of Development throughout the university to identify new qualified major gift prospect alums, parents, friends, faculty, corporations, and foundations.
• Work closely with the associate vice president of Advancement Operations to provide appropriate Kroc School messaging and to identify new, qualified President's Club and major gift prospects.
• Work closely with the Office of Planned Giving to secure deferred and estate gifts.
• Work closely with the Kroc School's director of Marketing and Communications, as well as the central offices of University Marketing and Communications and University Events and Partnerships, to plan and coordinate fundraising communications, publications, brochures, and special events.
• Work with appropriate personnel, when necessary, to assure the success of key special/signature events; oversee the school's annual Employee Giving Campaign.
• Write proposals for major gift requests for capital project naming opportunities, scholarships, Centers and Institutes, Chairs and Professorships, and other priorities as determined by the dean and the school's leadership team.
• With the dean, plan and co-host visits by prospects, donors, or their representatives.
• Identify and coordinate the efforts of volunteers and other staff members to be involved in the cultivation and solicitation process, as appropriate.
• Fully comply with the university's prospect management / move management system including the filing of donor/prospect Contact Reports.
• Oversee the day-to-day administration of the Kroc School's Office of Development, including accurate gift processing, writing and sending thank you letters, etc.
• Work cooperatively with all fundraising staff and directors at the university; develop relationships with colleagues at peer institutions.
• Attend conferences and professional development seminars to stay current with fundraising strategies and best practices.
• Develop and implement strategies to raise awareness of the Kroc School within the greater San Diego donor community.
• Participate in San Diego community events and activities as needed to represent USD, the dean, and the school.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• Must be able and willing to work evenings and weekends.
• Must be able and willing to travel.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement : Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.


Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of five years' experience in fundraising, including demonstrable management and administrative skills. Substitution: Additional education beyond a Bachelor's degree may substitute for years of experience, at the rate of two years of higher education is equivalent to one year of work experience (example: Master's degree plus three years).
• Proven ability to collect, analyze, and present data.
• Proven record of knowledge in the full spectrum of philanthropic fund development, including special gifts, major gifts, capital campaigns, annual giving, special events, prospect research, proposal development, and gift planning.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate, solicit, close, and steward major gifts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking; ability to communicate positively and effectively with a diverse audience.
• Strong professional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, advancement professionals, academic administrators, senior executives, volunteers, and trustees of the university.
• Must exhibit attention to detail with excellent organizational and time management skills; remain professional under pressure.
• Ability to recruit, organize, and manage salaried or volunteer personnel, as well as direct any individuals or committees of influence and affluence in fundraising protocol and competencies.
• Protect confidentiality in all communications regarding proposed and consummated gifts.
• Must be friendly and personable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Experience in higher education preferred.
• Proven record of working with industry or government in outreach or partnership initiatives is desirable.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Commitment to working as a member of a team and collaborate with colleagues.
• Strong sense of integrity and ethical conduct.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity a must; ability to understand different cultural contexts and viewpoints, demonstrate respect for others, adapt to different cultural settings; and accept cultural differences.
• Demonstrated ability to inspire confidence, to motivate and to persuade.
• Strong managerial and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of constituencies sufficient to render credibility in assessing fitness of prospects for major gifts.
• Entrepreneurial, creative, self-starter, and oriented toward action and results.
• Ability to organize time effectively, establish priorities, set and meet goals, and manage a large number of tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to anticipate, recognize, and solve problems.
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with tact and discretion.
• Knowledge of trends and issues in higher education, philanthropy, and the Roman Catholic Church.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; ability to become proficient with new technologies and CRM platforms.
• Knowledge of USD's policies and procedures.

Posting Salary:
$9,166.67 - $10,416.67 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.

Special Application Instructions:

Resume and Cover Letter Required

To be considered for this opportunity, please visit Bryant Group's website, review the prospectus, and submit your letter of interest and resume as instructed.Apply here

If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Additional Details:
Hours: 40 hours per week

Closing date: Open until filled


Note : External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit

Advertised: June 02, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close:


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