University of California San Diego

Sr. Director of Development, Health Sciences - 139097

Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of fundraising experience, especially focused on major gifts ($250,000+)
  • Expertise in donor relations and public relations within health sciences
  • Strong understanding of healthcare and higher education issues
  • Exceptional communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders
  • Proven director-level experience in institutional fundraising
  • Strong ability to manage projects and meet fundraising goals
  • Proficiency with donor research and relationship-building strategies

Responsibilities

  • Secure major gifts of $250,000+ for health science initiatives
  • Manage a portfolio of prospects from identification to stewardship
  • Develop a long-term fundraising strategy aligned with campaign goals
  • Collaborate with faculty and leadership to drive priorities
  • Increase donor numbers and financial contributions over five years
  • Lead grant proposal writing and donor communications
  • Work closely with advancement teams to coordinate fundraising efforts

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule offering flexibility
  • Opportunity to engage in meaningful health science initiatives
  • Collaborative work environment with talented professionals
  • Access to ongoing professional development and leadership training
  • Comprehensive health and wellness programs available
Full Job Description
Payroll Title:
FUNDRAISER 5 Department:
DEVELOPMENT - HEALTH SCIENCES Hiring Pay Scale
$149,000 - $180,000/Year Worksite:
Torrey Pines Center North Appointment Type:
Contract Appointment Percent:
100% Union:
Uncovered Total Openings:
1 Work Schedule:
Days, 8 hrs/day, Monday-Friday, hybrid work schedule

#139097 Sr. Director of Development, Health Sciences
Filing Deadline: Tue 4/21/2026
Apply Now

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of Health Sciences Advancement Leadership, specifically reporting to the Executive Director of Development -- Cancer and with strategic direction form the Managing Senior Executive Director of Development, the Senior Director of Development, Health Sciences Advancement will be responsible for securing major gifts ($250,000 - $1M+) for Health Sciences. The Senior Director of Development, Health Sciences Advancement (SDOD-HSA) is responsible for managing a prospect/donor portfolio in various stages of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Special emphasis will be placed on cancer related programs and collaborative partnerships with the other initiatives for Health Sciences in the upcoming UC San Diego campaign. The SDOD-HSA will manage this key initiative by assessing the overall fundraising potential of the area; creating a comprehensive, long-term development plan for the area; building strong relationships with all faculty, especially key faculty leaders; and providing updates and information to Health Sciences Advancement's Senior Leadership Team. The SDOD-HSA will collaborate closely with colleagues in both Health Sciences and Advancement Operations and Campaign and will serve on additional committees and task forces as requested by Health Sciences Leadership. The SDOD-HSA will staff key faculty and partner strategically with key faculty to move priorities forward.

Additionally, the SDOD-HSA will be required to increase fundraising dollars and donors over a 5 year period by developing major and principal gift opportunities consistent with campaign priorities and in line with UC San Diego policies. The SDOD-HSA will have other development responsibilities as they relate to the total University Development Program and Campaign initiatives.

Incumbent will work collaboratively with other Health Sciences Advancement Gift Officers, and with members of Health Sciences Advancement units including Affiliated Organizations and Events, Annual and Special Giving, and the Principal Gifts Program. The SDOD- HSA will also work collaboratively with Development Officers within University Development, as well as with members of Advancement Operations and Campaign's Corporate and Foundation Relations, Regional Program, and the Office of Gift Planning.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • Expert working knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
  • Expert knowledge of all aspects of the location, including current issues of concern for both the campus and / or throughout higher education / healthcare, generally. Expert knowledge of the location, including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
  • Expert knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
  • Expert written and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies. Expert skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a location in order to secure gifts.
  • Expert organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills. Expert project / program management skills, including skills in setting and meeting program / project goals and objectives within budget and time constraints.
  • Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.
  • Demonstrated experience in institutional fundraising or equivalent experience.
  • Demonstrated success at raising major gifts by developing and implementing cultivation and solicitation plans for gifts of $250,000+ from individuals, corporations, and foundations, both local and national.
  • Proven experience in the full spectrum of development including: gift policies, solicitations, stewardship, donor recognition, high level boards, support groups and administration.
  • Demonstrated strong organizational, managerial/mentoring and leadership skills with ability to lead by example and encourage collaborative efforts.
  • Proven success as a development officer in a highly sophisticated donor-centered fundraising environment as a direct-line fundraiser.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal and team-building skills to establish and maintain good working relationships with colleagues, faculty, donors, volunteers, and university officials, with an emphasis on tact, diplomacy, flexibility, collaboration, professionalism, and discretion.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills that demonstrate correct grammar usage, syntax, and format, with the ability to make oral presentations and/or interpret various related programs to constituents.
  • Proven record of writing proposals for significant projects, gifts (250,000+) directed to individuals, foundations, and corporations.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in the technique of donor prospect research with the ability to extract the pertinent/critical information from various sources.
  • Demonstrated expertise using on-line databases and other software to create retrieve, and compile up-to the- minute documents and historical information for proposal reports and analysis.
  • Strong sense of ethical conduct that will inspire confidence with colleagues and donor prospects, while maintaining confidentiality in all matters as they relate to sensitive donor relations issues.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the philosophy of quality service and group process, with proven aptitude for working as part of a team. Demonstrated commitment to equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace.
  • Experience in developing budgets and using financial information for comprehensive budgetary reports. Experience projecting budgetary needs.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of a PC environment, including strong skills in using the computer as a tool for analysis, planning, and management. Ability to function in a highly networked environment using Microsoft Office
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in an academic environment.
  • Demonstrated competency and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Job offer is contingent on clear Background Check.

Must have access to reliable transportation.

Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.

Pay Transparency Act

Annual Full Pay Range: $119,400 - $230,800 (will be prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%)

Hourly Equivalent: $57.18 - $110.54

Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Hiring Pay Scale referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Annual Full Pay Range may be broader than what the University anticipates to pay for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

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About University of California San Diego

The University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) is a public research university in San Diego, California. Established in 1960 near the pre-existing Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is the seventh-oldest of the 10 University of California campuses and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, enrolling approximately 38,325 students. UC San Diego is organized into six undergraduate residential colleges (Revelle, John Muir, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Sixth College) and five academic divisions (Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Jacobs School of Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences). The university operates 19 organized research units (ORUs), including the Center for Energy Research, Qualcomm Institute (a branch of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology), and the San Diego Supercomputer Center.
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