Hybrid Assistant Director, Major Gifts — Donor Strategy

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 102,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Southern California’s Advancement team supports fundraising, donor relations, and engagement priorities across the Viterbi School of Engineering. The Assistant Director, Advancement - Major Gifts builds and manages a portfolio of prospective major gift donors, focusing on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to secure gifts in the $100K–$250K range.

Key duties include developing individualized donor strategies, coordinating with faculty and leadership, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in fundraising or related field.
• Strong communication and proposal development skills.

Responsibilities

• Qualify and manage a portfolio of approx. 100 major gift prospects.
• Develop customized cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Conduct donor outreach and visits to secure commitments.
• Prepare fundraising proposals and donor briefings with leadership.
• Identify donor interests and align with school priorities.
• Coordinate with university partners to advance donor relations and gift planning.
• Maintain accurate donor records and forecasts.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Project prioritization

Data management

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree

Combined experience/education as substitute

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Email marketing

Website development/coding

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

The University of Southern California’s Advancement team supports fundraising, donor relations, and engagement priorities across the Viterbi School of Engineering. The Assistant Director, Advancement - Major Gifts builds and manages a portfolio of prospective major gift donors, focusing on qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to secure gifts in the $100K–$250K range.

Key duties include developing individualized donor strategies, coordinating with faculty and leadership, and