Director of Development, School of Social Welfare; U

About the Department

UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare has provided statewide, national, and global leadership in evidence‑informed social work practice and social policies since 1944. The School is ranked the most productive group of social welfare scholars in the country and its graduates become agents of social change through practice, policy, and research.

The Director of Development is a strategic partner to the Dean, responsible for designing, executing, and managing fundraising initiatives. The role identifies and cultivates new donor prospects, leads events, and strengthens stewardship with the aim of expanding leadership giving, alumni engagement, and major gifts.

• Plan, organize, and direct the School’s advancement operations.
• Formulate and implement strategy and goals for annual and major gifts prospects; grow endowments and unrestricted funds.
• Create short‑, medium‑ and long‑term fundraising plans, focusing on leadership annual gifts and planned giving.
• Develop new gift structures and marketing materials; prepare persuasive proposals for individual, corporate, and foundation prospects.
• Provide content for newsletters and stewardship reports; coordinate deans’ strategic thought partner activities and advisory board.
• Organize stewardship and cultivation events (e.g., dinners, receptions, special speaker opportunities).
• Implement data‑driven fundraising strategies; qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors; meet annual fundraising goals.
• Develop campaign priorities; ensure the School remains on target to meet capital campaign goals.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit leadership prospects; manage a prospect portfolio of 60‑120 prospects and conduct 60‑120+ visits annually.
• Submit contact reports within one week of visits; conduct additional cultivation visits as needed.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and research groups to identify funding priorities and produce high‑quality proposals.
• Partner with Major Gift Officers, Annual Giving Officers, and other university relations staff to engage prospects.
• Secure a minimum of $1 million in unrestricted support annually; increase donor participation among tracked prospects by 5‑10%.
• Track all outreach and results in CADS;
• Recruit, train, and support key constituents who assist in advancement efforts.
• Facilitate communication among administrators, faculty, donors, prospects, and volunteers; attend internal/external committees as needed.
• Organize high‑level donor visits for senior leadership; prepare briefings and coordinate scheduling.
• Collaborate with the Director of Admissions and the Alumni and Events Coordinator to develop and implement alumni relations strategy.
• Develop and support special projects; attend classes to enhance job expertise; serve on campus‑wide committees and activities.
• Maintain knowledge of Development & Alumni Relations unit processes to provide backup support.

• Minimum five years of experience in fundraising, donor relations, or business development.
• Experience personally soliciting gifts of $100k+.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication; political acumen; high emotional intelligence.
• Knowledge of campus issues and higher education environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and collaborative mindset.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills; creative decision‑making.
• Self‑driven, highly organized, and advanced time‑management skills.
• Confidentiality, discretion and professionalism; good judgment and tact.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Availability for some evening and weekend work; able to travel within California.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and institutional policies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and video‑conferencing platforms.
• Experience in higher education.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or equivalent experience.
• Master’s degree and/or equivalent experience.

• Familiarity with social welfare goals and the work of social workers.

Annual salary range: $ – $ (exempt, monthly‑paid). This is a full‑time (40 hours/week) career position…