Job Abstract

Associate Vice President for Development, Arts

University Advancement

Who We Are

USC is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks and be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

The Opportunity

For a person with the talent and track record to build highly productive relationships, both internal and external, this opportunity is exceptional. The Associate Vice President (AVP) for Development, Arts will succeed by modeling best practices and outcomes, influencing the build out of principal and transformational giving programs, both centrally and within the schools and institutes who have the potential to raise gifts at this level.

The AVP for Development, Arts will raise principal and transformational gifts for the university’s academic, research, and clinical missions and priorities.

About the Department

USC Advancement’s central and school/unit-based advancement and alumni relations staff work to build partnerships with the university’s philanthropic and volunteer communities, including individual supporters, charitable foundations, corporate donors, alumni, parents, grateful patients, and friends. Our team moves USC forward by inspiring philanthropy to support students, teaching, vital research, and community outreach. 

University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting the University of Southern California’s mission, values, and goals.

The Position

Reporting to the Associate Senior Vice President for University Advancement, the AVP for Development, Arts will participate in the planning and implementation of a development strategy for USC Arts Now – a comprehensive interdisciplinary arts initiative that will transform the university into a vibrant arts interface for our students, faculty, patients, and community.  The initiative is led by Vice Provost for the Arts, in coordination with USC’s six arts schools, our main and health science campuses and the USC Fisher and Pacific Asia Museums. The AVP for Development, Arts will personally manage a portfolio of at least fifty principal and major gift prospects and will manage a team of three fundraisers who will focused on major and principal gifts for the arts. 

Key Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• In partnership and consultation with the Associate Senior Vice President for Advancement, provide leadership and direction for fundraising initiatives to support USC Arts Now! including management of a team of principal and major gift officers.

• Serve as the central development liaison for the Chief Development officers and Deans of USC’s six arts schools, as well as to the Director of the USC Fisher and USC Pacific Asia Museums.

• Advise the Associate Senior Vice President for Advancement on the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of principal and major gift prospects; frame strategy and tactics leading to timely solicitation of assigned principal and major gift prospects.

• Participate in the planning and implementation of campaigns associated with the university and interdisciplinary initiatives as prioritized by university leadership; provide guidance and oversight for campaigns and initiatives, including working with leadership in developing program goals, plans and objectives, and the establishment of quantifiable, measurable accountabilities for use in monitoring program effectiveness and success.

• Draft briefings, reports, proposals and other development-related communications in partnership with Advancement Services and Advancement Communications.

• Work closely with the Associate Senior Vice President for Advancement on personnel issues, operations, and budget issues related to the central major gift team.

• Oversee operations of select additional central advancement programs as assigned.

• Ensure highest standards of fiscal responsibility and data integrity.

• Assume all other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Associate Senior Vice President for Advancement.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The Candidate for Associate Vice President for Development, Arts will have at minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible fundraising and leadership experience

• Experience cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding seven-figure gifts and above

• Accomplished in areas of leadership solicitation, board management, fundraising strategy, and programming

• Exceptional problem-solving skills combined with a demonstrated record for the execution of plans and strategies; experience collaborating in a team oriented environment

• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills; and impeccable integrity

• Demonstrated ability to create collaborative opportunities between advancement, marketing/communications, and alumni relations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Leadership experience within a complex university setting

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

Required Documents and Additional Information

Resume and cover letter are required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The annual base salary range for this position is $275,000 - $325,000. 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.

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events.

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu.  Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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