Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement, Corporate and Foundation Relations

About the role

The Associate Vice President will provide leadership and direction for Health Sciences Advancement (HSA), overseeing programs that support major, principal, and transformational gift fundraising from corporations and foundations. Serving as the lead strategist for Health Sciences corporate and foundation philanthropy, the Associate Vice President will partner closely with leadership across USC’s five health schools, clinical departments, and research centers to identify opportunities, build partnerships, and secure impactful investments that advance USC’s health priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for Health Sciences Advancement, overseeing programs that drive major, principal, and transformational corporate and foundation gifts.
• Serve as the lead strategist for corporate and foundation relations across USC’s Health Sciences enterprise, advancing institutional fundraising goals through collaborative and innovative approaches.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive CFR campaign business plan and portfolio in partnership with the Vice President and senior leadership team for Health Sciences Advancement.
• Work collaboratively with the Offices of Sponsored Research and Contracts and Grants to align private philanthropy with sponsored research, promoting the growth of USC’s health research portfolio.
• Collaborate closely with deans, faculty, clinical department chairs, clinicians and center and institute directors across the five Health Sciences schools, Health System and other USC schools that conduct health related research and programs to identify funding opportunities, generate support, and maintain alignment with institutional priorities.
• Manage and actively solicit a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects to secure significant philanthropic support.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with advancement colleagues across the university, including central advancement teams, ensuring strategic coordination of corporate and foundation partnerships.
• Oversee stewardship and communications protocols for Health Sciences corporate and foundation donors at all levels, ensuring meaningful engagement and recognition.
• Identify and address operational vulnerabilities, implementing process improvements that enhance efficiency, innovation, and team performance.
• Manage and develop staff and senior leaders within the Health Sciences Advancement team, fostering an inclusive culture of accountability, trust, and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field; 10 years of progressively responsible experience with university development/advancement setting; experience in health sciences fundraising, preferably within an academic medical or research environment; proven record of cultivating and soliciting major, principal, and transformational gifts from corporations and foundations; demonstrated experience building and managing high-performing teams, fostering an environment of transparency, accountability, and collaboration; strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship management skills with the ability to interact effectively with senior leaders, faculty, and philanthropists; exceptional judgment, political acumen, and discretion in handling sensitive and high-profile matters; experience managing complex projects, meeting deadlines, and driving results in a fast-paced environment; proficiency with office management and collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Slack, Skype).
• Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in business, communications, higher education administration, or a related field; 12 years of progressively responsible experience within university development/advancement setting; extensive experience leading advancement teams and fundraising campaigns within higher education or health-related organizations; expert knowledge of university advancement practices, corporate and foundation giving strategies, and trends in health research philanthropy; demonstrated success partnering with senior leadership and faculty to develop strategic fundraising initiatives; experience integrating sponsored research and philanthropic funding to advance institutional priorities; track record of fostering cross-functional collaboration and leading organizational change to achieve transformative results.

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. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package.