Associate Director (0462U), Southern California Major Gifts, University Development and Alumni Relations #86416

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.

University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) increases support for UC Berkeley and enhances knowledge of the university through communications, public outreach, and fundraising. UDAR is responsible for fundraising and donor engagement, and works to strengthen unit development offices by consulting and partnering with campus fundraisers. UDAR also handles a range of central activities and services encompassing events, communications, stewardship, prospect development, gift management, database management, and more.

The Major Gifts team within UDAR works to secure philanthropic support from University alums, parents, and friends across multiple geographic regions, with a focus on gifts in the $100K - $5M range. Geographically, the team's regional areas of focus are Southern California, the greater Bay Area/Northern California region, and the greater New York metropolitan area. There are 18 staff members on the Major Gifts team, including one executive director, one deputy director, and three senior development directors, each responsible for one of the three regions, as well as gift officers and professional administrative staff.

This position is focused on major and principal gift-level fundraising from alums, parents, and friends in Southern California, with an emphasis on Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, and on behalf of the entire campus.

The Associate Director, Southern California Major Gifts, is a regionally based position with a campus-wide portfolio comprised of alums, parents, and friends in Southern California, with an emphasis on Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. This position will be a leader with a high degree of knowledge and expertise in philanthropy, applying advanced fundraising concepts and regional expertise. Portfolio assignments include prospects and donors capable of making philanthropic commitments ranging from $100K to $5M. This position is expected to achieve an overall goal of $1M annually (actual goal and metrics will be determined by the portfolio pipeline).

The First Review Date for this job is: June 4, 2026

Fundraising and Portfolio Management

• Develops and manages a dynamic portfolio of 100 - 125 university prospects based in Southern California to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors. Prospects may include alums, parents, friends, and corporate and foundation prospects.
• Plans, organizes, and directs large-scale fundraising initiatives that involve multiple campus and constituent stakeholders in the region.
• Writes proposals for solicitation of individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects.

Managing Campus Leadership Regional Engagement

• Helps manage and directly staff campus leadership travel to Southern California, including the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans, and Faculty.
• May serve as an expert or lead development professional in a specific academic discipline on behalf of campus units.

Strategic Gift Planning

• Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met and implements program activities to achieve these goals, with a minimum of $1M raised annually.
• Evaluates programs using data analysis and regional expertise, including planning and evaluating solicitation programs and making recommendations for improvements.

Volunteer Engagement

• Identify, engage, and support key Southern California volunteers to advance the university's philanthropic goals.

Team Supervision

• May oversee the work of professional and support staff involved in the implementation of multi-component fundraising programs.

Campus and Regional Liaison

• May attend functions and meetings in the region or on campus, and serve on internal/external committees as a representative of Southern California.

• Demonstrated experience with leadership-level and/or major gift-level fundraising, or related industry, demonstrating advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Demonstrates and has experience using advanced working knowledge of the Southern California region, including current issues of concern for both the campus and region, and/or throughout higher education generally.
• Applies an advanced working knowledge of public higher education institutions, including their vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, and infrastructure.
• Uses advanced working knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Ability to make persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for UC Berkeley to secure major philanthropic gifts.
• 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.
• Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Bachelor's degree in 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 $120,000 - $135,000 annually.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) career position 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 100% hybrid 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.