Senior Director of Development, Student Affairs and Success

The selected candidate will be required to work in person for the first six months. After that period, the position will be eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-16-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

University Advancement supports the teaching, research, and public service of UC Santa Cruz by making and keeping deep, heartfelt connections. Building enduring relationships among students, alumni, faculty, donors, and others is the lifeblood of our work and helps to make UC Santa Cruz a thriving community of knowledge, inquiry, public service, and social mobility.

We are a welcoming group of ambitious and creative professionals pursuing our mission in support of the university's overarching purpose. We take our work seriously because we care - but we don't take ourselves too seriously! The University Advancement culture is lively and dynamic; we value collaboration; and our staff is resourceful, enthusiastic, and hard-working.

The division is a fun, friendly, and open place, and our colleagues are supportive of and positive about each other's goals and aspirations. We often jump in to help where needed, rolling up our sleeves to get the job done. We dare to approach challenges as opportunities. We seek creative ways to overcome obstacles, at times with limited resources, while keeping our eye on the objective: helping students achieve their goals, providing crucial public service, and advancing life-changing research and discovery.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. We are looking for candidates who do great work, and we hope they come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We aspire to build an increasingly diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position but possess transferable skills and experiences.

More information can be found at https://advancement.ucsc.edu/

JOB SUMMARY

Serves as an expert and lead development professional for the University Advancement Division and the Division of Student Affairs and Success (DSAS), advancing philanthropic support for initiatives that promote student success, well-being, belonging, engagement, leadership development, athletics and recreation, basic needs, housing, mental health, and other divisional priorities. Maintains a portfolio of donor prospects that includes highly influential, complex, and high-capacity individuals, families, foundations, and organizations capable of making transformational investments in the student experience at UC Santa Cruz.

Develops and implements fundraising strategies that align donor interests with divisional and campus priorities, working collaboratively with divisional leadership, faculty, campus partners, and University Advancement colleagues to secure significant philanthropic support. May have authority to make commitments and precedent-setting decisions regarding fundraising strategy, program design, donor engagement, and development practices. May oversee the work of professional and support staff.

The position is expected to secure major and principal gifts at levels established by University Advancement and to cultivate long-term philanthropic partnerships that strengthen the Division of Student Affairs and Success and enhance outcomes for current and future Banana Slugs.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $123,000 - $140,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 000463 (FUNDRAISER 5) - Grade 26

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

80% - Donor and Prospect Management

• In collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs and Success and the prospect management team, develop and manage a dynamic portfolio of approximately 75 prospects and donors. Engage existing donors and make contact with prospects to ascertain their interest in the university. Perform a minimum of 130-150 face-to-face visits per year. This will require local and some regional travel. A focus on discovery meetings (15-20) and planned gift conversations (4+) is also required as a focus of this activity.
• As appropriate, engage donors, volunteers, and prospects in the life of the university through a variety of means, including providing opportunities for personal contact with faculty, staff, and students. Use planning and creativity to maintain and build relationships with university supporters with the goal of securing major gifts. This position is expected to raise $1.5M at minimum on an annual basis and to make at least 15 major gift solicitations ($50K+).
• Strategically move prospects from identification through cultivation to solicitation and closure of gifts. Set goals for solicitation, cultivation, and discovery moves on an annual basis, with emphasis on the number of in-person visits, solicitations, and dollars raised. Create and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies with specific timetables. Keep accurate and timely records of all moves and strategies. Coordinate with colleagues in the Development unit and the University Advancement (UA) Division to ensure that donor relationships are well managed.
• Know the Division of Student Affairs and Success, its leaders, its priorities, values, and strategic plan. May serve as an expert or lead development professional in a specific academic discipline. Serve the VC in their fundraising efforts by identifying prospects and securing meetings with them.
• Engage DSAS divisional leadership in the development process by identifying potential individual and foundation funding sources, organizing events as appropriate, arranging in-person meetings with donors, preparing for meetings, drafting proposals, and more.
• Interact with and make use of the many resources available through UA and DSAS to advance development goals. Develop proficiency in the use of UA databases, donor stewardship, gift administration, and other systems.
• Maintain collaborative and effective relationships with all divisional and UA colleagues.

20% - Events, Communications, and Service to the University

• Plan, strategize for, and coordinate selected divisional and departmental events to expand the base of prospective supporters in DSAS and the university to move existing relationships forward.
• Support and participate in alumni, friend, and parent/family cultivation and outreach activities, site visits, and special events on behalf of the division and the university.
• Research and prepare donor event briefings for campus officials and volunteers (e.g., Chancellor, Executive Vice Chancellor, Vice Chancellor). Draft talking points, speeches, or comments for speakers and compile necessary background materials to provide context for events or meetings that relate to fundraising and donor engagement.
• In collaboration with DSAS leadership and department directors, prepare case statements, proposals, and fundraising materials and coordinate the preparation of such materials with the UA and DSAS Communications and Marketing units.
• Participate in UA, Development unit, and Divisional meetings and task forces and on special committees and other projects as needed.
• Periodically participate in DSAS Executive Council, Cabinet, and signature employee events.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• 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.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.