Departmental Overview University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) increases support for and enhances knowledge of UC Berkeley through communications, public outreach, and fundraising. The department is responsible for centralized fundraising and donor engagement and works to strengthen unit development offices by consulting and partnering with campus fundraisers. University Development and Alumni Relations also handles a range of central activities and services encompassing events, communications, stewardship, prospect development, gift management, database management, and more.
Within UDAR, the Principal Gifts & Strategic Initiatives (PGSI) team works with members of the campus community to build and advance life-long relationships between principal gift donors and Berkeley. We assist Berkeleys chancellor and other campus leaders in engaging these individuals as partners, according to their interests and expertise, with the universitys mission and priorities. By doing so, we help the worlds leading philanthropists achieve their dreams through partnerships with the university, and we help advance Berkeleys highest goals and aspirations.
When Berkeley marked the successful conclusion of the Light the Way Campaign, exceeding our $6 billion goal to raise $7.37 billion, it was the largest campaign total in history for any public university and for any university without a medical school. As we look to the future, it is now more important than ever to build relationships with alumni and friends who have the dedication and capacity to make a transformational difference at Berkeley. This position will be part of a high-performing team of fundraisers and development professionals who play a vital role in transformational philanthropic partnership with the campus.
Position Summary The
Senior Director of Development is an expert fundraising professional in UDAR in the area of principal gifts, responsible for developing and delivering fundraising programs that support the highest priorities of the University and the Chancellor. This position manages a portfolio of the most influential, complex and/or highest rated donors to campus and serves as a campus leader in building and stewarding donor relationships and crafting solicitations strategies based on campus priorities, donor capacity and interest. The Senior Director of Development qualifies, cultivates, solicits and stewards high net-worth individuals. With guidance from, and in partnership with, campus leadership (Chancellor, Provost, Deans, Vice Chancellors), this position may influence commitments and precedent-setting decisions regarding the design and development of fundraising programs in UDAR and campus-wide. This position may oversee fundraising or operations staff and is expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established annually in collaboration with the team lead, at a minimum of 4.5M annually.
Application Review Date The First Review Date for this job is: October 28, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.
Responsibilities Portfolio Management - 60%
- Manage a portfolio (serve as primary manager) of 30 to 60 of the most influential, complex or highest capacity-rated donors. Ensure that annual fundraising goals are met.
- Build effective relationships to engage donors and prospects with the University's highest priorities. Qualify new prospects and solicit gifts directly as appropriate.
Prospect Strategy - 20%
- Write complex fundraising proposals, white papers and/or other materials for principal gift level donors and prospects. Ensure that materials have sign-off from leadership and key campus partners.
- Steward donors, drawing on campus partners (Deans, CDOs, programmatic staff) when appropriate, to provide timely and consistent recognition and meet any requirements stated in gift agreements.
Supporting Campus Leadership - 10%
- Educate and prepare senior leadership to engage with, and solicit, donors and prospects.
- In partnership with campus leadership, and in coordination with relevant faculty and staff, identify and craft transformational gift opportunities, up to and including 9 and 10 figure gifts, for the university. Lead and facilitate highly complex gift discussions as needed.
Events - 10%
- Attend functions, meetings and serve on internal / external committees as a Berkeley representative.
- Provide UDAR operational support as needed, including but not limited to working a shift annually at a Berkeley Commencement or the Homecoming events/activities.
Required Qualifications - At least 5 years of progressive fundraising experience managing current and prospective donors seven figures and above.
- Expert working knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques. Understanding of operating, capital and endowment fund development.
- Demonstrated experience in building and managing a prospect portfolio; ability and sophistication to effectively advance gift discussions and close multi-million dollar gifts. Expert knowledge of how to qualify and cultivate new donor prospects.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex gift strategies and negotiations in collaboration with institutional executives, academic leadership, faculty and key volunteers.
- Ability to thrive in a high-stakes, fast-paced environment while effectively executing a range of principal gifts plans and programs.
- Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
- Expert communication, analytical, and organizational skills; keen attention to detail and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
- Expertise in developing persuasive communication materials from diverse written, oral and primary source information.
- Ambition and motivation that values a collaborative working environment and ability to establish strong interpersonal relationships with academic leaders, faculty, donors, peers, and other staff.
Preferred Qualifications - Commitment to higher education and an understanding and/or experience working within the environment of a large, public research university, and/or the ability to learn.
Education / Training - Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training
- Advanced Degree and/or CFRE (Preferred)
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.
The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $182,800 - $232,800.
- This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
- This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.
How to Apply To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
Other Information - This position is eligible for up to 80% days/week remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
- This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
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 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
