Assistant Dean of Advancement and Chief Development Officer

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance invites applications for the position of Assistant Dean of Advancement and Chief Development Officer. Reporting to the Dean, this individual will be the primary officer overseeing all activities related to advancement, major gift solicitation, foundation relations, planned giving, and donor stewardship. They will work closely with the Dean to align fundraising priorities with the school’s strategic vision and goals. Additional responsibilities include campaign planning and management, prospect identification/research, grant writing and advancement communications.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished development professional to partner with visionary academic and artistic leadership to advance the School's mission of excellence in dance education, performance, research, community engagement, and innovation.

Position Summary

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 meaningful 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.

The Assistant Dean of Advancement and Chief Development Officer will manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and lead initiatives that increase philanthropic support for scholarships, faculty excellence, artistic programming, facilities, research, and strategic growth. In addition, this individual will be responsible for all aspects of foundation relations, including research, cultivation, solicitation, program development, proposal development, reporting, grant management and stewardship.

As a key member of the Kaufman School Senior Leadership team, the successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic vision and entrepreneurial thinking.

• Passion for the arts and higher education.

• Exceptional emotional intelligence and diplomacy.

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Ability to inspire confidence and build lasting relationships.

• Commitment to ethical fundraising practices and donor-centered engagement.

This position requires local, national, and international travel. Schedule flexibility during non-standard business hours is required due to school-related engagements and performances that occur on weekends and/or evenings.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

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.

• Facilitates programs and deans’ initiatives designed to engage Kaufman alumni, supporters, and the external community. Maintains relational cohesiveness and engages 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. Establishes and monitors performance goals, provides performance feedback and coaching, and supports professional developments. Sets appropriate deadlines to ensure timely completion of work.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, inclusion, and high performance.

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

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in 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 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

Additional Information

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

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.

The University of Southern California is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

USC 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. 

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 [email protected]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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