Assistant Dean of Advancement and Chief Development Officer

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance invites applications for the Assistant Dean of Advancement and Chief Development Officer. Reporting to the Dean, this individual will oversee all advancement activities, including major gift solicitation, foundation relations, planned giving, and donor stewardship. They will align fundraising priorities with the school’s strategic vision and goals.

About the Role

The Assistant Dean of Advancement and Chief Development Officer will develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and engagement strategy to support the School's strategic priorities. The successful candidate will build relationships with alumni, donors, foundations, corporations, community leaders, parents, and arts patrons while serving as a trusted advisor to the Dean and senior university leadership. This role requires local, national, and international travel, as well as schedule flexibility for evenings and weekends due to school-related engagements and performances.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive advancement strategy aligned with the School's strategic plan and university fundraising priorities.
  • Serve as a member of the School's senior leadership team and advise the Dean on fundraising opportunities and donor engagement.
  • Collaborate closely with central advancement, alumni relations, communications, and university leadership.
• Fundraising
  • Cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects.
  • Identify and develop new donor pipelines among alumni, parents, arts patrons, foundations, corporations, and community partners.
  • Lead fundraising initiatives in support of campaign priorities, endowments, capital projects, scholarships, and programmatic needs.
  • Prepare compelling fundraising proposals, case statements, and donor communications.
• Relationship Management
  • Build effective partnerships with Kaufman faculty, students, alumni, Board of Councilors, and cross-campus stakeholders.
  • Facilitate programs and deans’ initiatives designed to engage Kaufman alumni, supporters, and the external community.
  • Maintain relational cohesiveness and engage donors through performances, events, campus visits, and personalized stewardship opportunities.
• Team Development and Management
  • Provide leadership, mentorship, and supervision to Kaufman advancement staff, resource workers, and student employees.
  • Establish and monitor performance goals, provide feedback and coaching, and support professional development.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and high performance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, development, fundraising, or related leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts and managing complex donor relationships.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic fundraising plans.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders, volunteers, faculty, and donors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field (Business, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Arts Administration/Leadership).
• Experience in higher education advancement, particularly within an R1 research university.
• Experience fundraising for the performing arts, arts education, cultural institutions, or creative disciplines.
• Track record of securing seven-figure and transformational gifts.
• Experience working within comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Knowledge of alumni engagement, donor stewardship, and advancement operations.

Pay

The annual base salary for this position is $130,000 - $135,000.

Benefits

To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future.