Associate Director of Development, USC Athletics

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 70,304 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California seeks an experienced Associate Director of Development for their athletics department. This role involves managing fundraising initiatives, developing donor relationships, and supporting annual giving campaigns.

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience, emphasizing communication and data management skills. Comprehensive knowledge of fundraising in higher education is preferred.

The position is based in Glendale, California, requiring office work five days a week.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience required.
• Experience in higher education development is necessary.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Assist in managing the annual fund and various campaign efforts.
• Grow the Trojan Victory Fund through marketing efforts.
• Develop relationships to solicit and close gifts.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Communication skills

Customer service skills

Data utilization

Microsoft 365 proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Associate Director of Development

USC Athletics is looking to hire an Associate Director of Development to join our staff and student community of 600+ individuals. This role serves as a key member of the annual giving team, supporting external fundraising campaigns and giving initiatives while identifying, cultivating, and soliciting gifts in support of USC Athletics.

Reporting directly to Parker Poliakoff, Associate Athletic Director, the Associate Director of Development will work in collaboration with the athletics development office, membership services team, the athletics marketing office, the central advancement annual giving team, and individual sport programs.

The ideal candidate will have direct fundraising experience, preferably in collegiate athletics along with experience in annual giving initiatives. They are goal-oriented with strong writing, communication, and customer service skills. The ideal candidate will also have a collaborative mindset with a high level of initiative and creativity. Experience and expertise with CRM systems, Microsoft 365 products, and an understanding of how to utilize data to implement and improve annual giving initiatives is preferred. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education is preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes is preferred.

This is an exempt position with work expected to be conducted in the office five days a week and includes travel and occasionally working weekends and nights.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Assist with the general day-to-day management of the annual fund, including management of various annual giving campaign efforts.
• Assist in growing the Trojan Victory Fund through marketing efforts to increase awareness, cultivation, and solicitation of prospects and current donors, stewardship, and annual renewals.
• Utilize strategic thinking and creative problem solving to discover new annual giving donors and increase annual philanthropic support.
• Develop relationships with donors and prospects to solicit and close gifts in support of USC Athletics.
• Manage fundraising initiatives including discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for various sports programs.
• Manage a portfolio of 150 to 200 current and potential donors.
• Responsible for 160 substantive contacts annually with the goal of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting gifts.
• Promote an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas, words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience; combined experience and education may substitute for minimum experience.
• Development research experience in higher education required.
• Ability to self-manage, prioritize work assignments and manage multiple deadlines.
• Experience maintaining and interpreting large datasets and database systems.
• Excellent planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented with excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, and ability to navigate CRM systems.
• Experience working in higher education and/or a sports-related field is ideal.
• Minimum education: Bachelor's degree; combined experience/education may substitute for minimum education.
• Minimum experience: 5 years.
• Strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values.

Salary Range

The annual base salary range for this position is $70,304 - $77,000.

Equal Opportunity Statement

USC 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance.