The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also one of the largest private employers in the City of Los Angeles. We are searching for exceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission: developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. As an employee of USC, you will be part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

World-renowned for its unparalleled combination of academic and athletic prowess, USC has a storied history of collegiate and Olympic success. The vision of the USC Department of Athletics is to be the most student-athlete centered athletics program in the country. USC Athletics is committed to serving and empowering its student-athletes by providing the support, resources, and environment for student-athletes to pursue a world-class education; engage in a meaningful and fulfilling college experience; transform into the best versions of themselves; compete for championships; and prepare to thrive after USC. A member of the Pac-12 Conference and Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, USC is proud to support nine men's (baseball, basketball, football, golf, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo) and 12 women's (basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo) teams across 12 athletics venues.

Job Description:

USC Athletics is looking to hire a Director of Development to join our staff and student community of 600 individuals. This role is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting donations to USC Athletics while serving as a key member of the annual giving team supporting all external fundraising campaigns and giving initiatives.

Reporting directly to Parker Poliakoff (Associate Athletic Director), the Director of Development will work in collaboration with the athletics development office, membership services team, the athletics marketing office, the central advancement annual giving team, and individual sport programs. The ideal candidate will have direct fundraising experience, preferably in collegiate athletics, along with experience in annual giving initiatives. They are goal-oriented with strong writing, communication, and customer service skills. The ideal candidate will also have a collaborative mindset with a high level of initiative and creativity. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes preferred.

This position serves a diverse student and staff population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for historically under-served populations, and is expected to contribute to the program’s diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts. USC Athletics is committed to increasing diversity in its staff and welcomes applications from persons of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, and sexual orientations.

This is an exempt position that will include travel and occasionally working weekends and nights.

Roles and responsibilities to include:

• Develop relationships with donors and prospects to solicit and close gifts in support of USC Athletics.

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 70-90 current and potential donors.

• Responsible for 160 substantive contacts annually with the goal of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting leadership annual gifts and major gifts.

• Assist with the general day-to-day management of the Trojan Victory Fund including marketing efforts to increase awareness, cultivation and solicitation of prospects and current donors, stewardship, and annual renewals.

• Oversee various annual giving campaign efforts.

• Assist in the creation and execution of a revamped annual giving structure and stewardship model.

• Utilize innovative strategies to discover new donors and increase philanthropic support.

• Manage fundraising initiatives including discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for various sport programs.

• Assist in integrating Board of Counselors as well as other committees and volunteers into the identification, cultivation, and solicitation process.

• Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree (master’s degree preferred) and a minimum of five years of experience (seven years preferred). Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office, and able to navigate CRM systems.

• Experience working in higher education and/or a sports related field ideal.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

Salary Range:

The annual base salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To Apply:

All candidates must submit a (1) resume or curriculum vitae, (2) and cover letter explaining the candidate’s interest in working at USC, qualifications for the position, impact the candidate would make on the department of athletics and how the candidate would contribute to the departments goal of promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in higher education and sport. Additional materials may be requested at a later date. All USC employees will undergo reference checking and background screening prior to hire.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action 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.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.