Associate Director of Development, USC Athletics

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also one of the largest private employers in the City of Los Angeles.  We are searching for exceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission: developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. As an employee of USC, you will be part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

USC Athletics aims to inspire champions in competition and in the classroom. We exist to enrich the lives of students to positively impact our community and world for generations to come. Operating with the four core values of Competitive Spirit , Togetherness , Passionate Pride for USC , and Our Courage to Blaze the Trail , the Trojans choose to lead by example. With over 600 student-athletes competing throughout USC’s 23 sports programs, USC Athletics is committed to serving as the unmatched, unquestioned top destination for talented student-athletes to reach their fullest potential in all that they do and offering student-athletes the ability to compete for NCAA and Big Ten championships while working toward a degree from one of the world’s leading universities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

USC Athletics is looking to hire an Associate Director of Development to join our staff and student community of 600+ individuals.  This role is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting annual and major gifts in support of USC Athletics while serving as a key member of the annual giving team supporting all external fundraising campaigns and giving initiatives. 

Reporting directly to Parker Poliakoff, Associate Athletic Director, the Associate Director of Development will work in collaboration with the athletics development office, membership services team, the athletics marketing office, the central advancement annual giving team, and individual sport programs. The ideal candidate will have direct fundraising experience, preferably in collegiate athletics along with experience in annual giving initiatives. They are goal-oriented with strong writing, communication, and customer service skills. The ideal candidate will also have a collaborative mindset with a high level of initiative and creativity. The ideal candidate also preferably has experience and expertise with CRM systems, Microsoft 365 products, and an understanding of how to utilize data to implement and improve annual giving initiatives. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes preferred.

This position serves a large student and staff population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for a variety of populations, and is expected to contribute to the program’s demonstrated commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all. USC Athletics is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunity.

This is an exempt position with work expected to be conducted in the office five days a week and includes travel and occasionally working weekends and nights.  

Roles and responsibilities to include:

• Assist with the general day-to-day management of the annual fund, including management of various annual giving campaign efforts.

The University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world’s leading private research universities. An anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for arts, technology, and international business, USC is also one of the largest private employers in the City of Los Angeles.  We are searching for exceptional individuals to help us fulfill our mission: developing individuals and society as a whole through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. As an employee of USC, you will be part of a world-class research university and a member of the “Trojan Family,” which is comprised of the faculty, students, and staff that make the university what it is.

USC Athletics aims to inspire champions in competition and in the classroom. We exist to enrich the lives of students to positively impact our community and world for generations to come. Operating with the four core values of Competitive Spirit , Togetherness , Passionate Pride for USC , and Our Courage to Blaze the Trail , the Trojans choose to lead by example. With over 600 student-athletes competing throughout USC’s 23 sports programs, USC Athletics is committed to serving as the unmatched, unquestioned top destination for talented student-athletes to reach their fullest potential in all that they do and offering student-athletes the ability to compete for NCAA and Big Ten championships while working toward a degree from one of the world’s leading universities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

USC Athletics is looking to hire an Associate Director of Development to join our staff and student community of 600+ individuals.  This role is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting annual and major gifts in support of USC Athletics while serving as a key member of the annual giving team supporting all external fundraising campaigns and giving initiatives. 

Reporting directly to Parker Poliakoff, Associate Athletic Director, the Associate Director of Development will work in collaboration with the athletics development office, membership services team, the athletics marketing office, the central advancement annual giving team, and individual sport programs. The ideal candidate will have direct fundraising experience, preferably in collegiate athletics along with experience in annual giving initiatives. They are goal-oriented with strong writing, communication, and customer service skills. The ideal candidate will also have a collaborative mindset with a high level of initiative and creativity. The ideal candidate also preferably has experience and expertise with CRM systems, Microsoft 365 products, and an understanding of how to utilize data to implement and improve annual giving initiatives. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes preferred.

This position serves a large student and staff population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for a variety of populations, and is expected to contribute to the program’s demonstrated commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all. USC Athletics is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunity.

This is an exempt position with work expected to be conducted in the office five days a week and includes travel and occasionally working weekends and nights.  

Roles and responsibilities to include:

• Assist with the general day-to-day management of the annual fund, including management of various annual giving campaign efforts.

• Assist in growing the Trojan Victory Fund through marketing efforts to increase awareness, cultivation, and solicitation of prospects and current donors, stewardship, and annual renewals.

• Utilize strategic thinking and creative problem solving to discover new annual giving donors and increase annual philanthropic support.

• Develop relationships with donors and prospects to solicit and close gifts in support of USC Athletics

• Manage fundraising initiatives including discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship for various sports programs.

• Manage a portfolio of 150 to 200 current and potential donors.

• Responsible for 160 substantive contacts annually with the goal of identifying, cultivating, and soliciting gifts.

• Promotes an environment that fosters inclusive relationships and creates unbiased opportunities for contributions through ideas words, and actions that uphold principles of the USC Code of Ethics.

• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of experience. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum experience.

• Development research experience in higher education required.

• Ability to self-manage, prioritize work assignments and manage multiple deadlines.

• Experience maintaining and interpreting large datasets and database systems.

• Excellent planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.

• Detail-oriented with excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, and the ability to navigate CRM systems.

• Experience working in higher education and/or a sports related field ideal.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values.

Salary Range

The annual base salary range for this position is $70,304 - $77,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To Apply

All candidates must submit a resume with their application. Additional materials may be requested at a later date. All USC employees will undergo reference checking and background screening prior to hire.

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.

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 (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. 

Minimum education: Bachelor's degree
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum experience: 5 years

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 (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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