Lead Development Officer (Director of Development)
Core
Lead major-gift fundraising for the USC Dornsife College, managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors in Hong Kong and Southern California to secure philanthropic support for academic priorities.
Role type
Senior IC major-gift development officer
Builds
Major gifts and philanthropic investments for humanities, social sciences, and life/physical sciences programs
Domain
Higher Education / Non-profit Development
Deliverable
production ML models | product features | dashboards & analysis | research | client delivery | infrastructure | physical/clinical work
Required skills
Major gift fundraising, prospect identification and qualification, relationship cultivation, gift negotiation and structuring, donor stewardship, strategic planning, cross-functional collaboration, travel management, data-driven portfolio management
Preferred skills
International fundraising experience, network in Hong Kong, experience with six- and seven-figure gifts, ability to work autonomously
Technologies
CRM systems, prospect intelligence tools, data analytics platforms
Responsibilities
Manage a portfolio of ~75 high-potential prospects and donors; identify and qualify new prospects; drive the complete major-gift cycle from discovery to close; structure complex transformative gifts; develop compelling philanthropic opportunities; cultivate relationships with senior-level donors and advisors; represent the college in Hong Kong and Southern California; partner across the university; exercise strategic independence; provide exceptional stewardship; maintain disciplined fundraising practices; serve as an ambassador for the college
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC