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

Associate Director, Southern California Major Gifts

University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) is responsible for fundraising and donor engagement at UC Berkeley. The Major Gifts team secures philanthropic support from alumni, parents, and friends. This position focuses 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.

UDAR’s Major Gifts team has 18 staff members: 1 executive director, 1 deputy director, 3 senior development directors, and additional staff. The team is regionalized with Southern California, Bay Area/Northern California, and New York Metropolitan areas as focal regions.

• Develop and manage a dynamic portfolio of 100–125 university prospects in Southern California to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors.
• Plan, organize, and direct large-scale fundraising initiatives involving multiple campus and constituent stakeholders in the region.
• Write proposals for the solicitation of individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects.

• Assist in managing and staffing campus leadership travel to Southern California, including the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans, and Faculty.
• Serve as an expert or lead development professional in a specific academic discipline on behalf of campus units.

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

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

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

• Attend functions and meetings in the region or on campus, and serve on internal and external committees as a representative of Southern California.

• Demonstrated experience with leadership-level and/or major gift-level fundraising, or related industry, demonstrating advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of the Southern California region and current issues relevant to the campus and region.
• Understanding of public higher education institutions, including their vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, and infrastructure.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen.
• Ability to make persuasive and compelling presentations to secure major philanthropic gifts.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including creative and effective decision-making and problem resolution, and strong project management skills.
• Strong confidentiality skills.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience/training.

The budgeted salary or hourly range for this position is $120,000–$135,000 annually. The position is full‑time (40 hours per week), exempt, and monthly paid. Eligible for UC benefits.

• This position does not include visa sponsorship.
• This position is eligible for up to 100% hybrid work; exact arrangements will be determined in partnership with the supervisor.

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.