Director of Development, Berkeley Law, University of California (Berkeley)

The Director of Development at Berkeley Law will design, develop, deliver, and administer fundraising programs to secure financial support for core operations and special initiatives that advance the law school’s mission.

About Berkeley

At UC Berkeley, we foster a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging attracts talented and accomplished students, faculty, and staff, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, Berkeley has driven intellectual, economic, and social progress. We support professional development by providing all full-time staff with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and fostering supportive colleague communities through employee resource groups. Applicants inspired by our Principles of Community and eager to contribute to our strategic plan are encouraged to apply.

Departmental Overview

The Law School’s Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) team engages alumni philanthropically and through programming that strengthens the school and student experience. The Development arm secures financial support for initiatives advancing Berkeley Law’s mission.

Responsibilities

• Design, organize, and direct large-scale fundraising campaigns for Berkeley Law.
• Participate in short- and long-range strategic planning, including annual stewardship, prospect cultivation, foundation research, and campaign planning for endowment funds.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects and donors, using established metrics (e.g., CADS) to track activity and report outcomes.
• Manage a portfolio of donors with the capacity to give between $25,000 and $1,000,000 or more, ensuring a return-on-investment approach.
• Write complex proposals for individual, corporate, and foundation prospects.
• Travel to meet donors and represent Berkeley Law at functions, meetings, and conferences; may serve on internal or external committees.
• Participate in cross-campus, multi-unit fundraising campaigns in partnership with UDAR.
• Ensure fundraising goals are achieved by:
  • Managing a portfolio of 75-100 major gift and corporate/foundation prospects.
  • Making 15-20 substantive donor contacts per month.
  • Conducting 80-120 donor visits annually.
  • Leading planning and evaluation of fund development programs, including feasibility studies and market research.
  • Closing at least $1 million in new gift commitments or outright gifts annually.
• Recruit, train, and support key volunteers assisting in advancement and fundraising efforts (as needed).
• Oversee professional and support staff implementing multi-component fundraising programs (as needed).
• Use fundraising applications and databases to support strategies, goals, and objectives.
• Engage in professional development and training opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations.
• Advanced knowledge of UC Berkeley and Berkeley Law, including relevant issues affecting higher education.
• Advanced knowledge of UC Berkeley’s vision, mission, goals, and organizational infrastructure.
• Advanced knowledge of laws, regulations, and institutional policies related to gift acceptance, prospect management, and philanthropic fundraising.
• Advanced written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen to maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Advanced skill in developing persuasive presentations to secure philanthropic support.
• Advanced ability to achieve goals through effective program planning, organization, execution, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), integrating DEIB principles into daily work.
• Sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds within the UC Berkeley community.
• Commitment to fostering an equitable, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all community members.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, including sound decision-making and creative problem-solving.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Advanced project management skills, including managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and UDAR fundraising systems; ability to learn new technologies quickly.
• Experience working with alumni, donors, volunteers, and other constituent groups, cultivating and maintaining positive relationships.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to travel and work evenings approximately twice per month.
• Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed fundraising goals and performance objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Preferred: Juris Doctor (JD) degree and/or experience in legal environments.
• Preferred: Membership in Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and/or Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $126,800 – $158,500 annually. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.

Schedule

This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits. The role is eligible for up to 20% remote work, with exact arrangements determined in partnership with the supervisor.

Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, visit the UC Benefits website.