Director, Advancement - Major Gifts
- Pay
- $132,563 – $148,831 per year
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Listed
- 6 days ago
About the role
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 Director, Advancement - Major Gifts manages a portfolio of approximately 75 major gift prospects, developing and implementing strategies to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward gifts of $250K-$5M+ in support of the School's highest priorities. Working independently and collaboratively with Viterbi leadership, faculty, and University Advancement colleagues, the Director builds donor relationships and secures philanthropic support for the School.
Core Job Duties
- Manage a portfolio of approximately 75 major gift prospects, primarily $1M+, developing individualized strategies, contact plans, and solicitation pathways.
- Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making gifts of $250K-$5M+.
- Develop and present compelling fundraising proposals for priorities including endowed chairs and professorships, graduate fellowships, capital projects, and program support.
- Partner with the Dean, faculty, academic leaders, and Advancement colleagues to develop gift opportunities, strengthen donor relationships, and secure philanthropic commitments.
- Prepare and staff university and school leaders for donor meetings, solicitations, and follow-up.
- Identify and engage volunteers who can assist with prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
- Develop and implement effective donor stewardship plans and coordinate recognition and follow-up with university and school partners.
- Manage prospect activity, travel, and cultivation strategies to maximize fundraising effectiveness and productivity.
- Maintain timely and accurate prospect records, contact reports, forecasts, and next steps in accordance with University Advancement policies and procedures.
- Achieve established fundraising revenue, activity, pipeline, and proposal goals.
Preferred Position Qualifications
- Demonstrated success as a fundraising professional, including personally securing major gifts of $250K-$5M+.
- Experience with major gift fundraising and campaigns, preferably at a complex research university.
- Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work effectively with donors, faculty, administrators, board members, trustees, and university partners.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including fundraising proposal development and presentation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital tools for prospect management and contact documentation.
- Master's degree preferred.
- Valid driver's license required; evening and weekend work may be necessary to support donor engagement and fundraising priorities.
Additional information
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.
Pay and benefits
The annual base salary range for this position is $132,562.81 - $148,831.35. 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.
Minimum Education
Bachelor's degree
Minimum Experience
5 years
Minimum Skills
Major campaign, fundraising, public relations and/or volunteer management experience.
Preferred Education
Master's degree
Preferred Experience
7 years
- Notice of Non-discrimination
- Employment Equity
- Read USC's Clery Act Annual Security Report
- USC is a smoke-free environment
- Digital Accessibility
Additional information
If you are a current USC employee, please apply to this USC job posting in Workday by copying and pasting this link into your browser:
Equal opportunity and legal notices
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.
Please include a cover letter and resume when applying.
USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.
USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety.
Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at, or by email at. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
From USC's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on November 4, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
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Common questions
What is the salary for the Director, Advancement - Major Gifts role at USC?
The Director, Advancement - Major Gifts posting at USC states compensation of $132,563 – $148,831 per year. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on USC's official career site.
Where is the Director, Advancement - Major Gifts job at USC located?
This Director, Advancement - Major Gifts position at USC is located in Los Angeles, CA. Always check USC's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
How do I apply for the Director, Advancement - Major Gifts position at USC?
This listing links directly to USC's Workday application page. You can apply directly on USC's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the Workday application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.