Development Manager, Knauss School of Business

Development Manager, Knauss School of Business

Posting #: 5552

Position Status: Full-time regular

Location: San Diego

Position Type: Administrator, University Advancement

Position Title & Department:

Development Manager, Knauss School of Business; University Advancement

Posting #
5552

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 Knauss School of Business at the University of San Diego is dedicated to developing socially responsible leaders through values-based education, innovative research, and a global mindset. Guided by a vision to lead business stewardship in improving the quality of life on earth for all, the Knauss School embraces a stewardship approach-empowering students, faculty, staff, and alumni to apply values-driven, free-enterprise skills that improve businesses, industries, and communities locally and globally. The School offers academically rigorous and relevant programs that are AACSB accredited, with its undergraduate and MBA programs consistently ranked among the best in the U.S. and internationally.

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 development manager for the Knauss School of Business, centralized under University Advancement, assists in the implementation of effective fundraising strategies, donor solicitations, and stewardship of targeted constituents to increase Knauss School's and campus-wide fundraising goals and engagement. This position is responsible for cultivating donors and prospects comprising alumni, parents, and friends of the school, primarily at the President's Club level ($1,500) and under. The development manager collaborates with the Office of Annual Giving to develop and execute on the overarching annual giving strategy - direct mail, social media, telefunding, etc. The development manager provides executive-level support to the senior director and for all areas relating to the department's multi-faceted internal and external activities, initiatives, and projects. This position manages the day-to-day business operations of Knauss School's Office of Development to ensure effectiveness, efficiency, and adherence to university processes, procedures, and policies. The development manager reviews fundraising proposals and coordinates gift acknowledgements. This position represents the Knauss School at events, conferences, and other on and off campus activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Development Management and Outreach

• Identify, research, cultivate, and solicit prospects to build a portfolio of President's Club donors - the university's leadership giving society with annual gifts of at least $1,500 - and donors under that threshold; assist in the identification of prospects with major gift capacity.
• Manage annual giving for the Knauss School, working closely with the central Office of Annual Giving, to include e-solicitations, direct mail, telefunding, online giving, and class gift programs - includes creation and execution of programs.
• Strategize with the senior director to determine best outreach and engagement strategies including social media platforms; coordinate with Knauss School's assistant director of Alumni Relations to maximize engagement specific to alumni.
• Travel locally and outside the San Diego area to meet with donors and represent the Knauss School at alumni events, as needed.
• Plan and execute donor cultivation events, both on and off campus.
• In conjunction with the senior director, execute and manage a thoughtful and comprehensive stewardship plan for all levels of gifts to the Knauss School; draft acknowledgement letters, including on behalf of Knauss School's dean.
• Work collaboratively with Knauss School's Marketing and Communications staff to ensure consistent and effective communication.
• In collaboration with the senior director, plan, coordinate, and execute 10-12 development trips per year for the senior director and/or Knauss School dean to include procuring prospect lists from Advancement Services; initiating contact with alumni, parents, donors, and prospects; securing meeting locations and coordinating logistics; preparing and finalizing travel itineraries for national and international travel.
• Coordinate with Financial Aid and other respective school areas to ensure scholarships are awarded; track the completion of thank you letters to donors on behalf of Knauss School programs and student recipients.
• Fully comply with the university's prospect management / move management system including the filing of donor/prospect contact reports.

Office Administration

• Provide executive-level administrative support to the senior director including making travel arrangements, preparing expense reports, scheduling meetings, reserving rooms, correspondence, photocopying, and filing.
• Compile and organize materials for development packets used by the senior director and dean for visits with donors and prospects.
• Proofread and finalize all proposals for donors and prospects; process and report all contributions received directly by the Knauss School.
• Complete gift processing forms, verifying CRM database accounts for accuracy; record gifts to departmental tracking system; generate, analyze, and organize reports; prepare donor research.
• Organize and prepare endowment reports; track select Knauss School restricted and endowment accounts.
• Assist in managing operating budget; reconcile expense activity, prepare Concur expense reports, and submit invoices for payment in Workday; inventory and purchase office supplies.
• Analyze data and create presentations for use by the senior director and dean.
• Train and direct student workers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid driver's license required.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• This position requires the ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, for donor engagement activities and events.
• This position requires the ability to travel as needed for donor engagement activities and events.

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 required.
• Three years' experience in development, marketing, and/or administrative experience.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills; requires command of the English language, including AP writing style, and standard grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, and proofreading skill.
• Must possess strong organizational and time management skills; meet assigned deadlines.
• Need to be flexible within a fast-paced, professional setting; able to handle multiple tasks well and calmly shift priorities between competing projects.
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office applications including but not limited to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Must have the ability to learn and to use specialized USD database software including CRM and tracking platforms. Must be willing to be trained in the use of other software applications as required for the job.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five years' experience in development, marketing, and/or administrative experience.
• Proven record of accomplishment in developing and managing administrative systems.
• Proven record of accomplishment in cold calling and success securing person-to-person appointments.
• Foreign language proficiency desirable.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Commitment to working as a member of a team and collaborating with colleagues.
• Strong sense of integrity and ethical conduct.
• Cultural competency and sensitivity are a must; ability to understand different cultural contexts and viewpoints, demonstrate respect for others, adapt to different cultural settings; and accept cultural differences.
• Must have the ability to work independently, be able to exercise good judgment, and provide supervision to support staff.
• Must possess exceptional critical listening and thinking skills; remain calm under pressure; discern problems and facilitate resolutions.
• Must have a positive attitude and professional demeanor, enthusiasm for the job and a sense of humor, show maturity, and take responsibility.
• Ability to establish credibility and rapport with the dean, diverse faculty, staff, alumni, volunteers, and current and prospective donors.
• Ability to motivate, create a sense of urgency and gain commitment with prospective donors.
• Entrepreneurial, creative self-starter oriented toward action and results.
• Ability to set and meet goals.
• Must have the ability to act with tact and diplomacy and be able to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Knowledge of USD's policies and procedures.

Posting Salary:
$5,858.67 - $6,000 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

Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Additional Details:
Hours: 37.5 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: May 14, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time

Applications close:


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