Director, Development Research, Health Sciences

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880, is located in the heart of downtown L.A. and is the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles. 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.

University Advancement is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture in which all advancement staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect, belong, and grow while supporting the University of Southern California’s mission, values, and goals.

University Advancement is seeking a Director, Development Research, Health Sciences to join its Development Research team. Reporting to Senior Director, Development Research, the incumbent will serve as a primary subject matter expert and leader for health sciences development research, managing a team of development researchers within the broader, central Advancement Information Sciences team to support development research queries from stakeholders across the larger USC advancement community.

This is a hybrid position under our current work arrangement plan, with the expectation of on-site presence at our downtown Los Angeles office (USC Tower).

Responsibilities

• Provide structure and vision to the development research program for USC’s health schools, which include the Keck School of Medicine, Davis School of Gerontology, Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ostrow School of Dentistry, and Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.

• Serve as a primary subject matter expert and resource for all development research-related queries for the health sciences, and when necessary, USC’s larger advancement community.

• Organize and prioritize the request workload for the Health Sciences Development Research team, delegate tasks where appropriate, and ensure that all queries and requests are answered efficiently and tracked effectively.

• Conceptualize strategic, high-impact prospect identification projects that support a robust prospect pipeline for the University’s health priorities, and partner with colleagues in Relationship Management to ensure all health prospects move through the fundraising cycle efficiently.

• Oversee the creation and maintenance of news alerts for the University’s top health prospects.

• Maintain the completeness and accuracy of advancement data through regular updates and audits.

• Provide project and resource management internally among the Health Sciences Development Research team and in partnership with and support of colleagues in University Development Research, Relationship Management, Business Intelligence, and CRM User Experience, as well as other advancement stakeholders, when required.

• Create and refine development research standards, policies, procedures, and best practices in partnership with University Development Research leadership.

• Ensure adherence to ethical development research practices and applicable data privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to HIPAA.

• Supervise a team of development researchers.

• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.

• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• 5-7 years of development research, prospect management, or prospect development experience in a higher education, healthcare, or complex non-profit environment.

• An enterprising spirit with strong project management, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills, who embraces new ideas, provides and receives feedback well, and fosters professional growth among direct reports and colleagues.

• The ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with discretion.

• A passion for excellent customer service, commitment to exceptional quality, and the ability to inspire colleagues toward accomplishing common objectives and goals in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience providing direct supervision to one or more staff.

• Experience with fundraising CRMs (preferably Salesforce).

• The ability to interpret and analyze complex financial statements.

• Intermediate or advanced Excel skills, including but not limited to VLOOKUP, complex formulas, and charts.

Required Documents and Additional Information

Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

The budgeted salary range for this position is $110,500 – $130,000. 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.

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 the 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.

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 7 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience