Chief Development Officer

Description:

USC Athletics is looking to hire a Senior Associate Athletic Director, Chief Development Officer to join our staff and student community of 600+ individuals. This role is responsible for leading the Athletic Department’s philanthropic efforts to raise principal and transformational gifts to carry out the department’s missions and priorities.

Reporting directly to the Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations/Chief of Staff, the Senior Associate Athletic Director, Chief Development Officer will be a creative, bold, and innovative development leader with an entrepreneurial spirit who has overseen large teams. This individual will be energized by the opportunity to build a best-in-class principal and transformational gifts program resulting in significant impact. The ideal candidate leads by example and influence, motivates and energizes others to achieve ambitious goals, thrives on working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, is capable of inspiring yet is courageous enough to make hard decisions and hold ground on principle when called for, has reliable judgment and trusted discretion, possesses executive presence that conveys credibility and engenders trust, and is politically savvy. Knowledge of and experience working in higher education preferred. Understanding of the unique culture and needs of college athletes preferred.

This position serves a diverse student and staff population, must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for historically under-served populations, and is expected to contribute to the program’s diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts. USC Athletics is committed to increasing diversity in its staff and welcomes applications from persons of all backgrounds, ethnicities, races, genders, and sexual orientations.

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Roles and responsibilities:

Supporting the Director of Athletics and Deputy Athletic Director in all areas of donor relations, solicitations, events, athletic department and university protocol and more. Responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and executing long- and short-term strategies to secure major and principal gifts from individuals, alumni and foundations, as well as oversight and direction for department’s capital campaign, annual fund and planned giving efforts. Identifies and cultivates major donors and prospects, and develops strategic plans for soliciting and expanding donor base.

Develops and oversees annual development budget. Manages and provides proactive leadership and mentorship to the athletic department development staff including Lead Development Officers as direct reports. Measures progress, provides feedback and coaching, and empowers staff and volunteer engagement through active and inclusive communication and delegation. Leads and directs meetings of department leadership, overseeing notes and correspondence. Additionally, the CDO works closely with External Relations units, including the marketing and ticketing teams on seat-related giving programs and to achieve department revenue goals.

Responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and executing long- and short-term strategies to secure major and principal gifts from individuals, alumni, foundations and other entities, all in support of the athletic department’s mission. Oversees and provides the overall direction of comprehensive fundraising and stewardship efforts, defining and communicating specific needs and priorities.

Represents athletic department in all facets to development stakeholders. Identifies and cultivates major donors and prospects, developing and reviewing strategic plans for soliciting and expanding donor base. Plans, schedules and directs development-oriented campus visits and/or special events to help secure annual, major, and planned gifts, grants and private support from alumni, foundations, corporations, and other current and potential donors.

Collaborates closely with the Senior Vice President for University Advancement as well as with executive and academic leadership, deans, faculty and staff to establish and achieve school/department fundraising goals. Provides strategic direction for volunteer support groups and supports staff and coach recruiting efforts. Attends and provides support to other school or university special events, as needed.

Maintains awareness and knowledge of current changes within legal and regulatory environments which may affect development and university policies, as well as NCAA and conference policies. Participates in professional meetings and conferences, and/or contributes to journals or publications, maintaining professional contacts and program visibility.

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.