Executive Director of Gift Planning

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the City of Los Angeles. As an employee of USC, you will be a 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.

University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting the University of Southern California's mission, values, and goals.

University Advancement seeks to recruit a highly talented and experienced gift planning professional for the position of Executive Director of Gift Planning to secure planned gifts for Advancing Health. This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Gift Planning, University Advancement, and will work closely with the key stakeholders of one of the following schools : Keck School of Medicine at USC and across USC in the areas related to Advancing Health to lead gift planning fundraising between University Advancement and the designated academic units / programs for Advancing Health. This role will drive multi-disciplinary gift planning fundraising for Advancing Health and serves as a key partner to help achieve Advancing Health fundraising goals. Opportunity to grow a team over time.

Domestic travel, evening, and weekend events will be required from time to time. Candidates must reside within commuting distance to the Downtown Los Angeles office.

The incumbent will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive gift planning fundraising strategies for securing financial support from a portfolio of approximately 50 planned giving prospects with an emphasis on gifts of $1,000,000 and above, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of gifts to support Advancing Health.

This is a role that requires a professional with excellent verbal and written communication skills, an entrepreneurial thinker, and a problem solver. The ideal candidate must possess strong gift planning technical, relationship-building, and management skills. Familiarity working with faculty, top executives, and community leaders is desired. The candidate should be accustomed to and comfortable with receiving and applying feedback to continually improve. The ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate a history of success in their prior field / position, with special focus on success in designing, implementing, and administering innovative gift planning fundraising programs that require creative solutions and energized problem-solving approaches.

Responsibilities :

• Raise principal gift level planned gifts towards Advancing Health, developing, managing, and soliciting a portfolio of high-net-worth prospects.
• Partner with university faculty and advancement leaders to align and organize multi-disciplinary stakeholders to tackle key priorities of Advancing Health.
• Serve as a key advancement partner to the Keck School of Medicine at USC and across USC in the areas related to Advancing Health to lead gift planning fundraising between University Advancement and the designated academic units / programs for Advancing Health.
• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 50 principal gift level planned giving prospects (1M ).
• Work independently and also collaboratively with the University Advancement team, Keck School of Medicine at USC , and academic units / program across USC in the areas related to Advancing Health in creating and implementing strategies for cultivation, solicitation, and financial support planned gifts.
• Assume and achieve gift planning fundraising financial and activity goals set annually.
• Ensure compliance with all University fundraising policies, goals, and procedures, including responsibility for following all protocols for prospect and donor management established and implemented by USC Advancement.
• Represent USC Advancement at professional and university meetings, seminars, and conferences for professional development.

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

Required Education : Bachelor's degree

Preferred Education : Master's or J.D. degree and / or relevant professional certifications highly preferred

Check below to see if you have what is needed for this opportunity, and if so, make an application asap.

Minimum Skills & Experience :

Preferred Skills & Experience :

Required Documents and Additional Information :

Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $225,000 - $270,000. 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.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick-up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events.

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

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Salary : $225,000 - $270,000