Job Summary Statement

Under the supervision of the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development in the UCLA College, and in consultation with the Dean of Life Sciences, the Executive Director of Development for Life Sciences will establish long-range goals and objectives for development programs and activities that reflect the academic priorities of the Division of Life Sciences. This individual will determine market feasibility for academic priorities and provide advice and counsel to deans, in collaboration with other members of the Division of Life Sciences’ development team. The Executive Director will design and implement a strategic development plan that represents the Dean’s priorities and will prepare for and participate in major gift solicitations. This individual will identify a core group of prospective donors for major gifts and maintain active awareness of individuals in the prospect pool at various stages of identification, cultivation and solicitation. The Executive Director will use available data to develop constituencies and identify prospects in relation to academic priorities; will organize and conduct meetings of volunteers and donors designed to identify new prospective donors for private support; and will create additional vehicles and methods for identifying prospects as necessary. The Executive Director will also meet with faculty in priority areas and gain knowledge of research interests and areas of expertise as well as serve as a staff resource to the Dean of Life Sciences and represent the Division of Life Sciences in the College and to the broader community. This individual will establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with appropriate individuals and offices in UCLA College and throughout External Affairs. In addition, the Executive Director will oversee all aspects of program management for Life Sciences events and activities and will also provide leadership, guidance and supervision to a team of professional and support staff.

Qualifications

• Seven or more years of progressive responsibility and experience as a professional development officer or similar experience in a nonprofit, membership/volunteer driven or related environment.
• Expert knowledge of principles and practices of major gift fundraising in a major research university or institution of equivalent complexity.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize and implement a comprehensive development or similar program of comparable size and complexity including the ability to envision and articulate future direction.
• Demonstrated experience in soliciting high-level major gifts and/or prior experience with solicitations of a similar nature, level and complexity.
• Appropriate management and administrative skills needed to organize, direct, motivate and evaluate other professionals and volunteers.
• Excellent communication skills to express, both orally and in writing, the mission of the University and the fundraising goals of the campus, especially as they relate to the UCLA College and Division of Life Sciences.
• Effective verbal communication skills to make persuasive oral presentations to senior management and internal and external constituencies; conduct participatory meetings; gain acceptance of decisions; and advise and collaborate with others.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to interact effectively with academic leaders, faculty, staff, donors and volunteers.
• Strong strategic thinking skills aligned with the ability to implement and follow through.
• Strong supervisory skills to oversee and evaluate the efforts of professional fundraisers.
•  Some travel and ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
•  Bachelor’s degree is preferred.