Executive Director, Advancement - Alumni & Industry Relations

University of Southern California; Glendale (CA); Hybrid; USD 189,000 - 217,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering Advancement team leads integrated alumni, industry, and foundation relations to support fundraising campaigns and strategic priorities. The Executive Director, Advancement sets portfolio strategy and builds coordinated pathways from engagement to philanthropic support.

In this role, you will draft proposals, cultivate key partners, and lead a team of professionals to drive significant philanthropic engagement with alumni,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years of fundraising experience in industry, foundations, and alumni.
• Experience leading a fundraising team and strategy development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute an integrated strategy for alumni, corporations, and foundations with measurable goals.
• Set aspirational goals, portfolio assignments, engagement plans, and performance expectations for the Alumni & Industry Relations team.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high-potential partners.
• Draft proposals, grant requests, and stewardship reports to support fundraising.
• Lead a team of alumni, industry, and foundation relations professionals.
• Partner with Major Gifts, Operations & Strategy, and school leadership to advance shared prospects.
• Manage staff, resources, reporting, budget and compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Fundraising

Alumni relations

Industry relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering's Advancement team supports the School's philanthropic, alumni, industry, and constituent engagement priorities through coordinated fundraising, donor relations, stewardship, communications, events, and advancement operations. Working in close partnership with school leadership, academic departments, faculty, university advancement colleagues, alumni, donors, and external partners, the team advances university fundraising campaigns and School-level fundraising plans while building long‑term relationships that support Viterbi's strategic priorities and philanthropic goals.

Position Overview

The Executive Director, Advancement - Alumni & Industry Relations leads the integrated Alumni & Industry Relations function, connecting alumni engagement, corporate relations, and foundation relations to the School's fundraising and partnership priorities. The role sets portfolio strategy, builds coordinated pathways from engagement to philanthropic support, and drives significant fundraising support for the School through alumni, corporate, and foundation funders.

Core Job Duties

• Develop and execute an integrated strategy and plan for alumni, corporations, and foundations that includes measurable goals and specific strategies for expanding engagement and levels and sources of support.
• Set aspirational goals, portfolio assignments, engagement plans, and performance expectations for the Alumni & Industry Relations team.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward high‑capacity and priority alumni, corporations, foundations, and other strategic partners.
• Coordinate and manage opportunities involving philanthropy, research, talent, programs, boards, events, and executive or faculty engagement.
• Build internal relationships with the Dean, Vice Deans, department chairs, faculty, academic and program leadership and staff across the School to acquire a broad and deep understanding of the academic, program and research portfolio to identify strong matches with potential funders.
• Draft high‑quality and timely proposals, grant requests, correspondence, impact/stewardship reports, and other documents to support best practices.
• Develop strategic relationships with key internal partners, including the USC Stevens Center for Innovation, Office of Research and Innovation, Department of Contracts and Grants, and others.
• Lead a team of alumni, industry and foundation relations professionals. Plays a key role in developing strategies to strengthen relationships with current prospects and identify and build relationships with new prospects.
• Partner with Major Gifts, Operations & Strategy, school leadership, faculty, and central university teams to advance shared prospects.
• Manage staff, resources, reporting, budget and compliance and evaluate results across engagement, pipeline, proposals, and ambitious fundraising goals.

Keys to success in this role include

• Strong leadership, management, and interpersonal skills
• Strengths in analysis, strategy, and problem‑solving
• Results‑driven motivation, initiative and strong teamwork
• Excellent written and oral communication of complex topics for a general audience
• Professionalism in collaborating with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders
• Fundraising, industry, foundation and alumni experience and expertise

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree strongly preferred.
• 7 + years of experience in fundraising with industry, foundations, and alumni
• Leadership and management experience: demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team of fundraising professionals.
• Results‑oriented: comfortable with production goals, accountability, independence, initiative, and teamwork.
• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, and presentation).
• Ability to work effectively and professionally with colleagues, faculty, industry and foundation staff.
• Capacity to understand and communicate research or programmatic information to a variety of stakeholders; adaptable communication style.
• Familiarity with and experience in an R1 research university setting is preferred.
• Ideal candidates will have 10 + years of experience in Corporate, Foundation and Alumni Relations and proven success managing fundraising projects and programs.

Additional Expectations

Job duties, responsibilities, and assignments are subject to change based on business needs, advancement priorities, university fundraising campaigns, school‑level fundraising plans, donor and constituent needs, emerging technologies, and organizational requirements. The incumbent is expected to work with agility, adapt to changing priorities, support alignment between university‑wide fundraising initiatives and Viterbi School priorities, identify opportunities for innovation, and contribute to continuous improvement across the advancement and fundraising enterprise.

Work Modality and Travel

This position is designated as hybrid. The employee must be available to work onsite as needed to support business operations, donor and constituent meetings, fundraising meetings, school and university events, campaign activities, peak‑cycle priorities, and constituent needs. The position may require local, domestic, and international travel, as well as occasional evening or weekend work to support donor engagement, fundraising events, campaign activity, and other advancement priorities. Any hybrid work arrangement must comply with the Viterbi School of Engineering Flexible Work Arrangement Policy and is subject to approval, operational needs, and change in accordance with that policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The annual base salary range for this position is $188,833.61 - $217,068.07. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope of responsibilities, work experience, education and training, skills, internal equity, and market conditions.

DISCLAIMER

This description outlines the general nature and level of work performed; it is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or skills required. Management may assign or reassign duties to respond to organizational priorities and evolving needs.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree

Additional Education Requirements

Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience

7 years

Minimum Skills

Major campaign, fundraising, and/or senior volunteer group management experience.

Preferred Education

Master's degree

Preferred Experience

10 years