Director of Development: Major Gifts & Campaigns

UC Irvine; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Irvine is seeking a development professional to work with the Executive Director of Development and the SoPS communications team to advance private philanthropic support for the School of Physical Sciences. The role focuses on major gifts, annual fund growth, and donor stewardship, with a hybrid on-site start and potential for at least three days on site weekly with leadership approval.

The position requires; a strong track record in fundraising within higher education, extensive donor

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, and procedures.
• Advanced written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.
• Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to prepare complex and detailed proposals and related materials.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with both school and institution to achieve goals, and to meet metrics and deadlines.
• Highly organized, focused, and goal-oriented with the ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Salesforce or a comparable donor/prospect database system.
• Demonstrable experience in stewardship plans leading to additional investments.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience of successful professional development and/or fundraising-related experience, OR, any equivalent combinations of education and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skill and abilities have been achieved.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and direct large-scale fundraising campaigns including related event planning.
• Develop and manage a dynamic major gift portfolio with gifts of at least $25,000.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit and steward major gift prospects.
• Prepare Dean and leadership for prospect appointments and fundraising activities.
• Collaborate with UA offices to advance prospect strategies and reporting.
• Manage donor contacts, reports, and proposals in the donor system and reporting processes.
• Lead development boards and participate in committees.
• Coordinate travel, event logistics, and volunteer support for events.

Skills

Fundraising

Donor relations

Public relations

Written communication

Oral communication

Project management

Confidentiality

Proposal writing

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Stewardship plans

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Office

Job description

UC Irvine is seeking a development professional to work with the Executive Director of Development and the SoPS communications team to advance private philanthropic support for the School of Physical Sciences. The role focuses on major gifts, annual fund growth, and donor stewardship, with a hybrid on-site start and potential for at least three days on site weekly with leadership approval.

The position requires; a strong track record in fundraising within higher education, extensive donor