Major Gifts Officer (0462U), School of Journalism - #86257

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

The UC Berkeley School of Journalism is a global leader in journalism education, preparing exceptional fact-finders and storytellers to report the stories of our times and hold power to account. At a time of profound changes in the media and challenges to journalism, UC Berkeley Journalism champions press freedom, embraces innovation, and expands who gets to be a journalist.

Based at the world's leading public university, UC Berkeley Journalism is the only journalism master's program in the University of California system. The school is led by a world-class faculty of journalists and offers a two-year Master of Journalism degree to some 120 graduate students and a journalism minor to more than 300 undergraduates. UC Berkeley Journalism is also home to the pioneering, state-funded California Local News Fellowship program, which provides jobs for early-career journalists in local newsrooms throughout the state, and to the award-winning Investigative Reporting Program.

UC Berkeley Journalism's reputation is bolstered by the accomplishments of faculty, students, and alumni whose stories challenge conventions, change policies, and upend injustices. These journalists have won or been finalists for dozens of prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Student Academy Award for Best Documentary, The George Polk Award, the Online News Association's Student Journalism Award, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and more.

We live in a pivotal moment when journalism education can help restore American democracy by strengthening bonds of trust and credibility in journalism and by bringing new voices, new leaders, and new methods to the field. We see journalism rising and invite you to rise with us at UC Berkeley.

Position Summary

The Major Gifts Officer, using advanced fundraising concepts, plans, organizes, and directs complex, large-scale fundraising efforts in support of UC Berkeley Journalism, which include multiple components. Results have a major impact on overall program goals and assignments and are typically at the major gift level, including managing portfolios of donors capable of making six- and seven-figure gift commitments. The Major Gifts Officer may attend functions, meetings, and serve on committees. The position is expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established at each specialization.

The First Review Date for this job is: June 2, 2026

Direct Fundraising:

• Build and manage a portfolio of 80 to 120 major gift-level and corporate/foundation prospects who have the capacity to make six and seven-figure gift commitments.
• Conducts visits (in-person or online) to solicit annual gifts, cultivate and solicit major gifts and planned gifts, and/or steward current donors.
• In partnership with the Assistant Dean for Advancement and the Dean of the School, develop and implement thoughtful strategies and intentionally prioritize prospects and travel to ensure revenue goals are met by focusing on soliciting donors at appropriate levels and maintaining an active presence in locations where donors are located.
• Develop goals, strategies, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans for each donor, ensuring each receives frequent, appropriate, personalized contact.
• Research, write, and manage foundation proposals and relationships with program officers.
• Collaborate with Prospect Development to identify and qualify 25-30 new donor and funder prospects annually, including those who are mission-aligned with UC Berkeley Journalism but have no pre-existing relationship with UC Berkeley.
• Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met.
• Draft donor correspondence and maintain responsibility for developing messages, strategy memos, briefing memos for donor meetings, and other relevant donor materials.
• The incumbent is expected to raise a minimum of $2.5 million per year once established with an appropriate portfolio.

Campus and School Partnerships:

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with UC Berkeley Journalism staff and faculty to gain knowledge of fundraising opportunities and develop stewardship strategies.
• Build high-trust relationships with campus unit development directors and other academic leadership on campus.
• Collaborate with campus fundraisers and regional teams on shared prospects, including leading strategy meetings, joint visits, and coordinated solicitations.
• Actively seek to improve knowledge of the UC Berkeley ecosystem, the field of journalism, and journalism philanthropy through attending functions, meetings, and other events.

Donor events:

• Lead and coordinate with other UC Berkeley Journalism departments and teams in producing donor-oriented events that enhance reputation and build relationships, and that contribute to the success of overall donor/funder solicitation plans.

Professional development:

• Engage in professional learning and growth opportunities and actively contribute to a team environment that fosters and promotes a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within the unit and at UC Berkeley Journalism.

• Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Demonstrated expertise in adapting/applying knowledge of the fundraising process to UC Berkeley Journalism, both with regard to fundraising in an academic environment, and specifically in support of journalism education.
• Demonstrated capacity to rapidly and successfully understand how fundraising operates within a complex public university environment.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, institutional policies, et cetera.
• Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated acumen to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.
• Skill to meet or exceed fundraising goals and objectives.
• Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $145,000 to $170,000 annually.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California 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, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

#LI-RP1