Director of Development , Leadership Giving; SoCal), Intercollegiate Athletics

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty and staff. We are a world-leading institution known for academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan. UC Berkeley supports employees with professional development opportunities and strives to help everyone realize their full potential.

Departmental Overview:
The Athletic Development Office is the sole fundraising group for IA and focuses on major gifts, annual giving, athletic campaigns, and alumni relations. This position helps meet the fundraising objectives of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and ensures predetermined major gift fundraising goals are met.

Under the supervision of the Assistant Athletics Director for Leadership Giving, the Director of Development, Leadership Giving (LGO) is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift-level prospective donors (individuals capable of contributing $100,000 or more). The LGO will develop and manage relationships with supporters in Southern California and will be assigned a portfolio of prospects. The role requires comfort working with prominent and wealthy individuals.

Application Review Date:
The First Review Date for this job is May 9, 2026.

• Plan, organize, and direct large-scale fundraising campaigns with multiple components.
• Manage a portfolio of 100-125 major gift prospects, focusing on prospects rated at $100,000 and above.
• Make at least 10-15 substantive contacts per month with an emphasis on quality personal visits.
• Qualify leadership gift prospects and solicit gifts directly.
• Ensure that predetermined fundraising goals are met.
• Design and implement customized, donor-specific cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and/or steward leadership gift prospects and donors.

Develop and implement an athletics fundraising and alumni strategy throughout Southern California, aligned with the campus regional team and guided by sporting events and donor cultivation.

• Motivate administrators, coaches, staff, and volunteers to participate in fundraising efforts.
• Apply knowledge of UC Berkeley and Intercollegiate Athletics to discuss athletic programs, needs, and priorities with prospective donors and volunteers.
• Draft/write proposals for solicitation of individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects.
• Independently manage collaborative relationships with fundraising colleagues to develop joint strategies for solicitations and resolve differences.
• Comply with University policies regarding managing prospects and updating databases.

Other responsibilities include assisting with the structuring and development of Intercollegiate Athletics fundraising efforts, including new strategies, gift structures, and marketing materials.

• Recruit, train, and support key volunteers.
• Facilitate communication among administrators, coaches, donors, prospects, and volunteers.
• May attend functions, meetings, and serve on committees as a representative of the campus.

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts and techniques.
• Advanced working knowledge of the location's current issues, vision, mission, goals, and infrastructure.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships and to present goals and objectives persuasively.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, with strong project management ability.
• Very strong skills in…