Development Director, School of Cinematic Arts

USC’s School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) is seeking a collaborative, results-oriented Director of Development with demonstrated leadership, organizational management, and interpersonal skills to join its team. Working in a dynamic, fast-paced, and creative environment, the Director will report to the Dean.

This is a high-profile position requiring a strong entrepreneurial spirit, an ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and outside constituencies, an ability to be flexible and seize opportunities as they develop, and proven fundraising ability.  

Responsibilities:

• Directs the comprehensive fundraising efforts for a school or development department of the university. Ensures compliance with university fundraising policies, goals and procedures.
• Manages assigned staff to include interviewing, hiring, training, performance assessment, counseling, discipline and salary administration.
• Develops and manages school or department fiscal year operating budget. Authorizes expenditures. Provides financial status reports and projections.
• Collaborates with deans, faculty and staff to establish school or department fundraising goals. Develops, implements, monitors and assesses strategies to achieve goals.
• Develops and manages donor relations and prospect management systems, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Identifies, cultivates and solicits major prospects and develops strategic plans for cultivating participation.
• Develops, prepares and presents formal fundraising proposals to major donors and prospects.
• Provides strategic direction for volunteer and support staff recruitment efforts.
• Manages senior volunteer groups (e.g., Board of Councilors) and major fundraising efforts or events.
• Participates in professional meetings and conferences and/or contributes to journals or publications to maintain professional contacts and visibility for program(s). Performs other duties as assigned in support of SCA’s mission.

• Flexibility and the demonstrated ability to adapt, manage and implement change, and thrive in a fast-paced, complex environment
• Genuine passion for the arts and culture, and the profession; enjoys engaging donors, alumni, and parents in their philanthropic pursuits

Preferred Qualifications

• Experienced senior fundraising professional with a demonstrated track record of personally closing gifts of $100K – $1M+.
• Expertise in major campaign fundraising, preferably at a complex research university.
• Knowledge of and experience within the media and entertainment industry.
• Solid relationship-building skills, ability to interface with donors, leading faculty, administrators, board members, trustees, and cross-campus partners.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking and fundraising proposal writing.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and skill in using digital technology to manage prospect contact documentation and portfolios.
• A valid driver’s license is required; with weekend and evening work expected.
• A Master’s degree.

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• Minimum Education:  Bachelor’s degree
• Combined experience/education as a substitute for minimum education
• Minimum Experience: 7 years
• Minimum Skills: Major campaign, fundraising, public relations, and/or volunteer management experience.

The salary range for this position is $170,000-$220,000. 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 equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience: 7 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience
Minimum Field of Expertise: Major campaign, fundraising, and/or senior volunteer group management experience.