Director of Development, Basic & Biomedical Sciences

UCSF; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

UCSF seeks a Director of Development to advance major gifts for basic and biomedical sciences. You will partner with deans, chairs, and renowned faculty to secure gifts accelerating research and education, with a portfolio spanning basic sciences, interdisciplinary centers, GEPA, and PBBR.

You will lead philanthropic strategies, coach faculty on donor meetings, and translate scientific priorities into compelling proposals, contributing to a global health impact and UCSF's mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field and 10+ years of related experience.
• Expert knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts.
• Expert knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to secure gifts.
• Expert organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Manage a dynamic portfolio of 75-100 major and principal gift prospects.
• Target, cultivate, and solicit donors capable of gifts of $250k to $1M+.
• Work with deans, chairs, center directors to translate priorities into proposals.
• Educate and coach faculty on fundraising best practices, supporting donor meetings.

Skills

Fundraising basics

Donor relations

Public relations concepts

Persuasive presentations

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Job description

Position Overview

Are you driven by the opportunity to power discoveries that transform human health on a global scale?

The Basic and Biomedical Sciences Development team is seeking an extraordinary, strategic, and collaborative Director of Development to advance philanthropic support for world-changing scientific innovation. Partnering directly with university deans, department chairs, institute directors, and world-renowned faculty, you will shape the future of medicine by securing major and principal gifts that accelerate breakthrough research and empower the next generation of scientific leaders.

This role offers an exceptional platform for an ambitious fundraising leader: a high-impact, broad-scope portfolio spanning foundational basic science departments, cutting-edge interdisciplinary research centers, the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA), and the prestigious Sandler Program for Breakthrough Biomedical Research (PBBR).

Why This Role Is Unique

• Unrivaled Portfolio Breadth: Rather than working in a single niche, you will drive philanthropic strategies across an expansive ecosystem of basic sciences, multidisciplinary institutes, and graduate education.
• Direct Access to Academic Leadership: You will serve as a trusted advisor to deans, department chairs, and pioneering researchers, translating complex scientific visions into inspiring donor opportunities.
• High-Impact Philanthropy: Your work will directly fund high-risk, high-reward research (through PBBR) and nurture top-tier emerging scientists (through GEPA), leaving a lasting legacy on global health outcomes.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a high-performing, deeply supportive team environment built on partnership, intellectual curiosity, and shared impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Portfolio & Prospect Management

• Manage a dynamic portfolio of 75-100 major and principal gift prospects, actively moving donors through the pipeline from identification and qualification to solicitation and stewardship.
• Target, cultivate, and solicit individual donors, foundations, and family offices capable of making gifts of $250k to $1M+.

Academic Partnership & Leadership Engagement

• Work directly with deans, department chairs, center and institute directors, and faculty leaders to understand strategic research priorities and convert them into compelling philanthropic proposals.
• Educate and coach faculty on fundraising best practices, serving as an expert partner in donor meetings and site visits.

Interdisciplinary Strategy & Programmatic Growth

• Develop customized philanthropic strategies that leverage the strengths of interdisciplinary initiatives, basic science departments, GEPA, and PBBR.
• Design and execute innovative proposals that connect donor passions with institution-wide scientific breakthroughs.

Desired Mindset & Competencies

• Intellectual Curiosity: A genuine passion for basic science, scientific innovation, and medical research.
• Strategic Agility: Comfort navigating complex institutional structures and managing multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.
• Collaborative Spirit: A team-first mindset with high emotional intelligence and a commitment to shared goals.

*Note: Salary commensurate with internal equity based on education, scope, and experience

Department Overview

At UCSF's Office of University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR), we're proud to be the kind of place where great ideas can come from anyone, and you can do the most impactful work of your career alongside fantastic colleagues. From our pioneering work in the AIDS crisis to the creation of a silicon brain, you will experience the world-class nature of our work and the difference it makes.

UDAR is a team of innovative professionals who partner with world-class scientists, healthcare providers, and philanthropists to advance breakthrough research and life-changing patient care. We're one of the nation's top fundraising organizations, home to smart, driven people who care deeply about UCSF's mission to advance science and transform health.

Our success comes from the combined talents of many roles: frontline fundraisers who build transformative partnerships with donors; alumni relations professionals who nurture lasting connections with the UCSF community; writers and designers who help tell the university’s story; researchers and analysts who provide critical insights; and operations and information systems experts who keep us running smoothly.

What makes UDAR special? A commitment to growing talent from within, celebrating collective wins, and creating an environment where our staff thrive. Our culture of team-based fundraising is distinctly collaborative, and we're always eager to embrace fresh approaches.

Regardless of your role at UCSF, you'll be part of a unified team operating at the very top of its game.

Read more about UCSF here https://magazine.ucsf.edu/

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in related area and 10+ years of related experience / or equivalent experience / training.
• Expert working knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Expert knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location to secure gifts.
• Expert organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Expert project / program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program / project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
• Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and 10+ years of related experience/or equivalent experience/training.
• Expert knowledge of all aspects of the location

Preferred Qualifications

• Expert knowledge of all aspects of the institution, campus or medical center, including current issues of concern for both the campus and/or throughout higher education/healthcare, generally. Expert knowledge of the location, including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, and infrastructure.