Departmental Overview The College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS) is a dynamic, innovative new college at UC Berkeley that represents a once-in-a-generation transformation. The College brings together faculty, researchers, staff, and students from computing, statistics, the humanities, and social and natural sciences, mirroring the cross-cutting nature of data science and redefining the
research university for the digital age.
Core to the College is a commitment to examining how the digital revolution affects equity and opportunity-and building the capacity to respond to these challenges. CDSS was created to meet the opportunities and demands of a world where data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence inform practice and policy in virtually every arena.
The College connects the Data Science Undergraduate Studies program, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences, Department of Statistics, the Berkeley Institute for Data Science, Computational Precision Health, and the Center for Computational Biology.
The College is responsible for growing Berkeley's broad-based undergraduate programs in data science, computing, statistics, and other interdisciplinary programs, including classes and programs serving thousands of undergraduate students a year.
Reporting to the Assistant Dean, Development, the Director of Development will join CDSS' Development team at a critical juncture. The Director of Development will serve as an essential partner in the creation and evolution of fundraising in the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society.
The Director will work with the Executive Assistant Dean, Assistant Dean, and other campus leaders to conceive, develop, implement, and manage fundraising initiatives to meet CDSS priorities, primarily through managing a fundraising portfolio and in collaboration on joint efforts with peers in the colleges and schools and with University Development and Alumni Relations colleagues.
With a focus on leadership/major/principal gifts to support computing and data science education and research across the Berkeley campus, the Director will identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donor prospects alone or in partnership with campus leadership or peers.
This Director's portfolio will be primarily focused on individuals. Some corporate and foundation solicitation will be managed by this position. The position is expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established at each specialization and meet predetermined fundraising metrics, e.g., major gift officers are expected to raise a minimum of $1 million annually.
Visit this website to learn more about the future home of CDSS in the new Gateway Building: https://data.berkeley.edu/news/uc-berkeley-showcasesplans-cdss-future-home-new-video
Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: November 11, 2026 - Open until filled
Responsibilities 60% Major Gifts Fundraising:
Manages a portfolio of 75-100 individual major gift or corporate/foundation relations prospects, the majority with the capacity to give $100,000 or more. Results have a major impact on the overall goals of the program. Makes at least 8-10 significant prospect/donor visits per month. Identifies and qualifies 20-60 major gift prospects per year. Cultivates, solicits, and stewards current use and
endowment gifts directly; works independently with CDSS Dean, assistant deans, and faculty leadership. Writes proposals for solicitation of individual, corporate, and/or foundation prospects. Looks for opportunities to work with major gift prospects that will enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts. Ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met and implements program activities to achieve these goals. Conducts 15-24 solicitations and raises $1-5 million annually once a mature portfolio is established.
20% Planning and Development Programs Support:
Plans, organizes, and directs fundraising campaigns which include multiple components. Serves as the fundraising representative for select Centers or Institutes, as well as select campaign initiatives and fundraising priorities, within CDSS. May serve as an expert or lead development professional in a specific academic discipline. Analyzes needs and assists in the creation of strategic plans for fundraising and other advancement programs. This director may oversee the work of subordinate staff and may attend functions and meetings and serve on internal/external committees as a CDSS representative.
15% Pipeline Development:
Builds CDSS's major gift prospect pipeline through discovery and cultivation; prioritizes potential donors based on capacity and inclination. May recruit, train, and support key volunteers who assist in advancement efforts.
5% Professional Development and Growth:
Engage in opportunities for training, workshops, seminars, pertinent to the position.
Required Qualifications - Advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
- Advanced working knowledge of higher education, particularly STEM areas.
- Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
- Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies-ability to make persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location to secure gifts.
- Advanced organizational, analytical, and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution, and strong project management skills.
- Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
- Skills to meet or exceed fundraising goals and objectives.
- Advanced working knowledge of the campus, its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, and infrastructure.
- Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
Classification: FUNDRAISER 4
Anticipated hiring range: $115,800 - $154,400
UCB salary range: $115,800 - $220,400
The salary offer to the final candidate will take into consideration their experience and salary equity with current UC Berkeley employees working in similar roles.
Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.
Misconduct Disclosure As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
Misconduct means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace
