Development Officer

About Berkeley At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world‑leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity‑focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan. At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and we provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full‑time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year for professional development activities. Departmental Overview Human Rights Center (HRC) investigates war crimes and other serious violations of human rights, pursues justice and accountability, and prepares the next generation of human‑rights advocates. HRC applies innovative technologies and scientific methods to investigate human‑rights abuses and study their effects on vulnerable populations. Based on our findings, we recommend specific policy measures to protect those affected by abuses and hold perpetrators accountable. HRC trains advocates around the world and provides them with the skills and tools necessary to document human‑rights violations and turn this information into effective action. Position Summary This position serves as the fundraising lead with the Human Rights Center, a unit within the UC Berkeley School of Law. The role reports to the Center’s executive director and supports the strategic and organizational priorities of the Center by developing and executing the strategy for meeting and ideally exceeding the Center’s annual budget. A significant portion of this position’s time will be spent identifying and cultivating new individual donors at HRC and increasing the gift sizes of certain current individual donors. Responsibilities include identifying, cultivating, and managing potential and existing individual donor, foundation, government, and corporate relationships; supporting the drafting and submission of proposals and budgets; interfacing with fundraising and grant‑related departments on campus; and utilizing UC Berkeley databases. Application Review Date The first review date for this job is: June 3, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before that date. Responsibilities Donor Cultivation & Stewardship Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors, including new individual donors and existing HRC donors. The typical annual giving range is $20–$5,000, with historical gifts ranging from $10 to $3,000,000. Coordinate targeted outreach to individuals who donate $5,000 or more annually, securing meetings at least one to two times per year. Manage individual donor fundraising activities, including planning and executing a minimum of three major fundraising campaigns annually, each potentially involving multiple solicitations such as email, direct mail, and phone outreach. Implement stewardship activities including invitations to HRC events, circulation of the annual report, and major donor calls for all major donors 1–2 times per year. Use Constant Contact to communicate with donors and CADS to research donors and prospects, track engagement, and generate fundraising and prospect reports in collaboration with UDAR. Support written and oral communication, donor meetings, and coordination with the Center’s directors. Establish and advance clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), such as increasing the number of individuals who donate $10,000 or more annually to HRC from 17 to 25. Grant, Contract, and Financial Administration In collaboration with the Executive Director, manage up to 10 active grants per year, totaling up to $1.5 million annually. Oversee the Human Rights Center’s grant application, approval, and close‑out processes in collaboration with Berkeley Regional Services (BRS), the Sponsored Projects Office (SPO), and donors. Assist directors with grant proposals, develop budgets and budget narratives with directors and BRS, coordinate reporting requirements, and manage grant close‑out using the Phoebe portal. Establish and advance KPIs such as securing one new core operating grant of at least $300,000 per year for three years; securing at least five project‑based grants of $150,000 or more each; and securing $100,000 from at least one corporation or corporate foundation in gifts or in‑kind support. Support the executive associate in managing HRC’s professional training contracts, working with relevant attorneys at UC Berkeley and utilizing the Berkeley Contract Management System (BCMS) to ensure compliance with UC policies and donor requirements. Assist the Executive Director with financial management related to development activities, including running reports in Cal Answers and CADS and, if necessary, helping with FTE tracking and planning. Annual Giving & Campaign Management Plan, schedule, and implement fundraising projects, including the end‑of‑year campaign, mid‑year campaign, and Berkeley’s Big Give. Develop and draft strategic fundraising plans, donor communications, and solicitation materials. Raise gift dollar amounts as established each fiscal year for each donor group and fundraising campaign. The total annual fundraising target for this role is to cover or exceed the Human Rights Center’s fiscal budget of around $2.5 million, working with the Executive Director and Faculty Directors and recognizing that HRC also has an existing donor community. Interface regularly with the law school’s and central campus’ fundraising, advancement, and financial teams to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and policies. Fundraising Data Analysis & Reporting Provide analysis and interpretation of complex fundraising results, donor data, and campaign performance. Develop reports and dashboards to track progress toward fundraising goals and make data‑informed recommendations to the Executive Director and Faculty Directors regarding program changes, new fundraising strategies, and opportunities to increase revenue and donor engagement. Fundraising Strategy & Planning Develop fundraising strategies within existing policy guidelines. Participate in short‑ and long‑range strategic planning related to donor, corporate, government, and foundation cultivation. Ensure that predetermined fundraising goals and revenue targets are met for assigned fundraising programs and campaigns, exercising independent judgment in prioritizing activities and resources. Collaborate on the design, organization, and implementation of special development‑related events for the public and campus community, as well as the Center’s advisory board and major donors. Interact directly with students, faculty, alumni, and donors to support cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation objectives. Ensure events are aligned with fundraising strategies and measurable engagement goals. Participate in professional development and training opportunities to stay current on campus fundraising opportunities and requirements and best practices in the field of nonprofit academic fundraising. Required Qualifications Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques. Advanced working knowledge of—or ability to learn—issues concerning the Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley Law, campus, and higher education. Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies. Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships inside the organization and with outside constituencies. Ability to make persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives in order to secure gifts. Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical‑thinking skills, including creative and effective decision‑making and problem identification, avoidance, and resolution, and strong project‑management skills. Advanced skill to meet predetermined goals and objectives through effective program or project planning, organization, execution, and evaluation. Ability to work with sensitive information, exercise discretion, and maintain confidentiality. Strong working knowledge of—or ability to learn—key software and analytical programs needed to track and manage donor relations and fundraising. Strong attention to detail. Advanced project‑management skills. Proficiency in—or willingness to learn—Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and UDAR data systems. Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders. Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds. Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience or training. Preferred Qualifications Fundraising and development experience in human rights, social justice, democracy, or a related field. Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California’s Compensation & Benefits website. Under California law, UC Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the posted range. The range takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted annual salary range for this position is $130,000.00–$158,000.00. This is an exempt, monthly‑paid position. It is a 1‑year, full‑time (40 hours/week) contract eligible for UC benefits. How To Apply To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter. Other Information This is not a visa opportunity; the position does not include sponsorship of a new H‑1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee. The position is eligible for up to 20% remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements will be determined in partnership with the supervisor to meet role responsibilities and departmental needs and may change. Travel requirements – about 10% of the time, likely local travel to meet with prospects and donors and/or engage in fundraising events for the Human Rights Center. Special Conditions Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned while performing duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non‑public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understand that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively take steps to restrict access to sensitive information to individuals who have a legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy, including secure handling of physical and digital records and proper use of IT systems to prevent data leaks. Unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work‑related information obtained from any source on any work‑related matter is a violation of these expectations. 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 SB 791 and AB 810 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 administrative or disciplinary proceedings; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer. Equal Employment Opportunity 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr