Director of Development

Who We Are

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
To learn more about UC Irvine, visit

The School of Physical Sciences (SoPS) aims to deliver scientific breakthroughs that reshape our understanding of the physical world and provide solutions to the most profound problems of our age. We achieve this by asking hard questions; setting inspiring, visionary goals; and cultivating an inclusive, interdisciplinary culture that is open to broad ideas. We advance humanity through a deeper understanding of the physical science that governs the world. Our flagship projects not only directly address some of today's most fundamental and existential problems, but also strive for their impactful applied solutions.
The SoPS develops philanthropic priorities that will empower the school to elevate its strong academics and research to elite levels of excellence. From predicting cancer tumor growth with mathematics to exploring the possibility of life on other planets and finding solutions to the effects of climate change, our researchers in the top-ranked departments of Chemistry, Earth System Science, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy are blazing new pathways every day. Our world-renowned faculty bridge fields through interdisciplinary collaborations with engineers, computer scientists, biologists, social scientists and many others. This out-of-the-box thinking and our standing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion propels our research and enables cutting-edge science to advance our mission.
Within the SoPS, the Office of Advancement is our comprehensive fundraising operation. This includes alumni relations and development, in strong partnership with the Director of Communications for the SoPS. With support from the University of California, Irvine Office of University Advancement, our staff partner with donors, alumni, faculty, and school senior leadership to secure philanthropic resources for the school of physical sciences and its departments.

Your Role on the Team

The School of Physical Sciences (SoPS) is seeking a development professional who works collaboratively with the Executive Director of Development (EDoD), the Director of Communications for the SoPS, and University Advancement (UA) to contribute to the development program and secure significant philanthropic investments to support the SoPS. The primary activity of the Director of Development (DoD) is externally focused to secure private philanthropic support and the DoD’s effectiveness will be evaluated on the ability to achieve financial goals and meet metrics. Under the general direction of the EDoD, the DoD develops strategies to manage and enhance the annual fund and major gifts programs for the SoPS. The DoD is expected to serve as a member of the School’s Advancement team, and to also be a highly collaborative colleague with other development officers across the campus. Our office works on coordinated hybrid schedules to meet the business needs of leadership and our clients. This position will begin on-site and - with leadership approval - may be eligible for a hybrid schedule of no less than three days on site per week.

Essential Functions

The identification of essential functions below is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties that may be assigned to this position, nor does it restrict the duties which may be assigned to this position if such duties reasonably relate to the position.
Plans, organizes, and directs large-scale, fundraising campaigns which include multiple components, including related special event planning. May serve as an expert or lead development professional in a specific academic discipline. Develops and coordinates guest and participant lists, including developing and maintaining databases of participants, potential and invited speakers, faculty, and administrators. Tracks responses to invitations, sends reminders, guidance and other information to participants, guests, and leadership. Staffs and serves as event lead for logistics during event functions. Attend and arrange additional event staffing. Recruit, train, and support new and repeat student, faculty and staff volunteers needed for each event. Coordinates and arranges travel, lodging meals as needed. 25%
Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met and implements program activities to achieve these goals. Conducts at least 12 substantive meaningful contacts per month; Qualifies 40 new major gift prospects through personal appointments, annually; Secures $1,000,000 annually in new gifts and commitments for the SoPS 30%
Develops and manages a dynamic major gift portfolio to identify, qualify, cultivate and directly solicit and steward prospects with the capacity to make contributions of at least $25,000. May include corporate and foundation prospects, and contributions at a variety of levels. Writes proposals for solicitation of individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects. 20%
Works with the Executive Director of Development, the Dean, department chairs, and center directors to identify, assess, and prioritize funding opportunities within the School. Fosters successful fundraising in the School by preparing the Dean and other academic leaders to participate routinely and effectively in development activities and prospect appointments. Works routinely and closely with academic leadership, key faculty, and Advancement colleagues to support the Dean’s fundraising priorities including administrative and operational needs of the department. In collaboration with the Director of Communications, prepares PowerPoint presentations, speaking engagement materials (including speaking remarks and faculty bios) for the Dean, manages resources, develops, and implements procedures for internal records management for donor events. 10%
Collaborates with various UA offices and functions - including stewardship, research and prospect management, financial services, annual giving, and development to advance prospect strategies; Uses the UA prospect management and tracking system. Participates as directed by the Executive Director of Development, as a member of the UA constituent development team in development activities across campus and serves as a resource to other unit-based development colleagues about the School’s fundraising opportunities. Manages prospect and donor contacts, contact reports, and donor proposals. Assists in identifying relevant alumni from the SoPS four departments and prospective donors, including basic prospect research. Manages multi-step gift processing (including deposits), ensuring compliance with School of Physical Sciences and University policies and procedures. Works with School fund manager to ensure timely gift reporting for school leadership. Assists in the development and distribution of appropriate stewardship and fund-raising materials including gift stewardship letters. Works in, updates and produces reports in Zotforce (Salesforce). Manage and prepare data/reports for fundraising initiatives as directed. Attends functions, meetings, and serves on internal/external committees as a representative of the School. 10%
Manages, builds, and leads the SoPS development boards. 5%

What It Takes to be Successful

Required:

• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, and procedures. Ability to apply creative techniques to the processes.
• Advanced written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Ability to make persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives in order to secure gifts.
• Persuasive executive communication skills
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.
• Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with both school and institution to achieve goals, and to meet metrics and deadlines. Ability to meet demanding work schedule expectations.
• Highly organized, focused, and goal-oriented with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or a comparable donor/prospect database system.
• Demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
• Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• A minimum of 5 years of experienceof successful professional development and / or fundraising-related experience, OR, any equivalent combinations of education and / or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved. Related experience and comparable knowledge should include fundraising, and may also include fundraising in combination with a variety of pathways including - but not limited to - executive events planning and management, administrative coordination, annual giving, stewardship, external relations, communication, public relations, corporate/foundation relations, development personnel, and others.

Preferred:

• Advanced working knowledge of all aspects of the location, including current issues of concern for both the campus throughout higher education generally.
• Advanced working knowledge of the location, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure. Interest and/or familiarity in the sciences and the local Orange County philanthropic and business community.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• A minimum of 5 years of experiencesuccessful professional development and / or fundraising-related experience in higher education

Special Conditions:

• Local, regional, and/or national travel is required.
• May work long hours to meet fundraising commitments.

Total Rewards

In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.

The expected pay range for this recruitment is $111,300- $136,250 (Annual).

Conditions of Employment:

• Background Check and Live Scan
• Employment Misconduct*
• Legal Right to work in the United States
• Vaccination Policies
• Smoking and Tobacco Policy
• Drug Free Environment

*Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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 years 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.

The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements.

• California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• E-Verify
• Pre-Placement Health Evaluation

Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page -

Closing Statement:

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 categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io.

Consideration for Work Authorization Sponsorship

Must be able to provide proof of work authorization