Director of Development, Major Gifts (Asia/CA)

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California's Dornsife College seeks a Director of Development to lead a major-gift portfolio focused on Hong Kong and Southern California. This frontline fundraising role drives donor engagement, qualification, cultivation, and seven-figure gifts, collaborating with academic leaders and advancement colleagues.

The successful candidate will manage roughly 75 high-potential prospects, travel as needed, and structure transformative gifts that align donor intent with USC

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in major gift fundraising, with a demonstrated record of personally cultivating and soliciting significant philanthropic commitments.
• A strong track record of closing major gifts, with the experience and judgment necessary to cultivate and solicit gifts at the six- and seven-figure level.
• Highly self-motivated and resourceful, with the ability to work independently, create opportunities, open doors, and build a pipeline without relying exclusively on established relationships or processes.
• Exceptional ability to manage a sophisticated portfolio of high-capacity individuals while developing highly individualized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Experience working with donors across international markets is strongly preferred, particularly in Asia.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to listen carefully, ask insightful questions, understand donor motivations, and present complex academic and philanthropic opportunities.
• Demonstrated professionalism, maturity, discretion, and confidence in working with senior university leaders, donors, family offices, and professional advisors.
• Ability to work effectively across a complex organization, build internal partnerships, and influence colleagues toward shared fundraising goals.
• Experience in higher education or a similarly complex nonprofit environment preferred.
• Travel: Domestic and international travel is required, including travel to Hong Kong and across Southern California.

Responsibilities

• Build and manage a major-gift portfolio with approximately 75 high-potential prospects and donors, focusing on Hong Kong and Southern California.
• Identify, qualify, and engage prospective donors; expand the pipeline, especially in international markets.
• Lead the major-gift process through discovery, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Structure transformative gifts in alignment with donor intent and university policies.
• Develop compelling philanthropic opportunities and customized proposals, briefing materials, and talking points.
• Cultivate relationships with senior-level donors and advisors.
• Represent USC Dornsife in Hong Kong and Southern California; travel regularly to meet prospects and donors.
• Collaborate with academic leadership and advancement colleagues to coordinate fundraising strategies.
• Maintain disciplined fundraising practices and accurate records; ensure compliance with policies and standards.
• Serve as an ambassador for Dornsife to donors, prospects, families, alumni, and other stakeholders.

Skills

Major Gift Fundraising

Fundraising Results

Entrepreneurial

Portfolio Management

International Experience

Strategic Communication

Executive Presence

Collaboration

Higher Education Fundraising

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

The University of Southern California's Dornsife College seeks a Director of Development to lead a major-gift portfolio focused on Hong Kong and Southern California. This frontline fundraising role drives donor engagement, qualification, cultivation, and seven-figure gifts, collaborating with academic leaders and advancement colleagues.

The successful candidate will manage roughly 75 high-potential prospects, travel as needed, and structure transformative gifts that align donor intent with USC