Senior Director of Advancement Communications, Principal Giving

Department: USC Communications, Advancement

Overview:

As an employee of USC, you will be a part of a world-class research university and a member of the "Trojan Family," which comprises the faculty, students, and staff that make the university a prime place to learn, grow, and succeed.

USC Communications is seeking a Senior Director of Advancement Communications, Principal Giving to join its team. The Communications team sets the strategic communications vision and marketing strategies that promote the campus community’s innovative accomplishments, builds a strong brand identity, and nurtures the University’s reputation among its vast constituencies. Reporting to the Special Advisor/Associate Vice President, Advancement Communications, the Senior Director leads the development of fundraising concepts and content in partnership with team and advancement leaders.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and succeeds through collaboration, attention to detail, high-quality communication, and a commitment to excellence for self and others.

Job Responsibilities:

Inspires, promotes and acknowledges major, principal, and transformational giving to USC through strategic content.

Leads the development of fundraising concepts and content in partnership with team and advancement leaders.

Supervises and contributes to the development, writing, design and production of university gift proposals over $1 million.

Recommends and drives fundraising marketing and content strategy for university priorities.

Serves as lead content strategist and editor for materials developed to cultivate, engage, solicit, and steward the university’s most loyal and generous donors.

Provides insight, supervision, and contribution to leadership donor-facing materials including memos, emails, messages, stewardship plans, and impact items.

Develops, implements, and maintains team processes for donor story collection and development.

Supervises a team of three leadership gift writer-strategists. 

Performs other duties as assigned.

This is a hybrid position under our current work arrangement plan, with the expectation of on-site presence in our offices in the USC Tower located adjacent to campus in downtown Los Angeles.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree.

5 years’ experience in marketing and/or communications.

Combined experience/education can substitute for minimum education and minimum experience

Management experience in journalism and public relations.

Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.

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

Preferred Qualifications

7 years’ experience in marketing and/or communications

Salary and Benefits

The budgeted salary range for this position is $143,492.94 - $204,409.95. 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.

Application Requirements

Resume, cover letter and three writing samples required, including at least one major gift proposal or case for support. Please do not submit your application without these documents.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 5 years, Combined education/experience as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Management experience in journalism and public relations.