Associate Director , Southern California Major Gifts, University Development and Alumni

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University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) increases support for UC Berkeley and enhances knowledge of the university through communications, public outreach, and fundraising. UDAR is responsible for fundraising and donor engagement, and works to strengthen unit development offices by consulting and partnering with campus fundraisers. UDAR also handles a range of central activities and services encompassing events, communications, stewardship, prospect development, gift management, database management, and more.

The Major Gifts team within UDAR works to secure philanthropic support from University alums, parents, and friends across multiple geographic regions, with a focus on gifts in the $100K - $5M range. Geographically, the team's regional areas of focus are Southern California, the greater Bay Area/Northern California region, and the greater New York metropolitan area. There are 18 staff members on the Major Gifts team, including one executive director, one deputy director, and three senior development directors, each responsible for one of the three regions, as well as gift officers and professional administrative staff.

This position is focused on major and principal gift-level fundraising from alums, parents, and friends in Southern California, with an emphasis on Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, and on behalf of the entire campus.

Associate Director, Southern California Major Gifts is a regionally based position with a campus-wide portfolio comprised of alums, parents, and friends in Southern California, with an emphasis on Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. This position will be a leader with a high degree of knowledge and expertise in philanthropy, applying advanced fundraising concepts and regional expertise. Portfolio assignments include prospects and donors capable of making philanthropic commitments ranging from $100K to $5M.

This position is expected to achieve an overall goal of $1M annually (actual goal and metrics will be determined by the portfolio pipeline).

The First Review Date for this job is:
June 4, 2026

Fundraising and Portfolio Management

• Develops and manages a dynamic portfolio of 100 - 125 university prospects based in Southern California to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors. Prospects may include alums, parents, friends, and corporate and foundation prospects.
• Plans, organizes, and directs large-scale fundraising initiatives that involve multiple campus and constituent stakeholders in the region.
• Writes proposals for solicitation of individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects.

Managing Campus Leadership Regional Engagement

• Helps manage and directly staff campus leadership travel to Southern California, including the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans, and Faculty.
• May serve as an expert or lead development professional in a specific academic discipline on behalf of campus units.

Strategic Gift Planning

• Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met and implements program activities to achieve these goals, with a minimum of $1M raised annually.
• Evaluates programs using data analysis and regional expertise, including planning and evaluating solicitation programs and making recommendations for improvements.

Volunteer Engagement

• Identify, engage, and support key Southern California volunteers to advance the university's philanthropic goals.

Team Supervision

• May oversee the work of professional and support staff involved in the implementation of multi-component fundraising programs.

Campus and…