UC Observatories Director of Development

TELECOMMUTING - The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule, with at least 2 days per week on campus.

HOW TO APPLY

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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: 06-23-2025

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

The University of California is the world's leading public research university system. With 10 campuses, 5 medical centers, 3 national labs, and 150 academic disciplines, UC has expanded the horizons of what we know about ourselves and our world. More than 1.7 million UC alumni are living and working around the world.

The University of California Observatories (UCO) is a Multi-Campus Research Unit of the University of California, with headquarters at the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates on behalf of astronomers on eight UC campuses and two national laboratories and is comprised of extensive technical facilities, a business office, telescope and support facilities at the Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton. UCO provides UC's scientific and administrative interface to the Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i, and the Thirty-Meter Telescope international project, and supports the training of astronomy Ph.D.'s throughout the UC system. The design and fabrication of new state-of-the-art astronomical instruments is key to the future of UC Observatories.

UC Santa Cruz-the seventh UC campus-has consistently been ranked as a premier research institution known for bold ideas and a nontraditional approach to teaching, and is regarded as a preeminent force in the advancement of progressive higher education. It has a three-pronged mission of education, research, and public service.

Situated on 2,000 acres of former ranchland among majestic coast redwoods and overlooking the Monterey Bay, the campus serves nearly 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students. While UC Santa Cruz is revered for its sylvan beauty, it is located just 30 miles from Silicon Valley, the world's most important and productive center of high-tech innovation.

This position has the primary function of supporting the UCO, with a secondary responsibility of supporting UC Santa Cruz's Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics housed within the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences. Some of the department's faculty have joint appointments with UCO and UC Santa Cruz.

The quality of UC Santa Cruz's faculty and students shows in its research triumphs. In 2016, Times Higher Education ranked the campus fourth in the world in research influence as measured by the number of times its faculty's published work is cited by scholars around the globe. We've beaten the odds to make audacious achievements. From saving falcons to peering into the universe and putting organic food on American tables, UC Santa Cruz has become known as the small university where big things happen.

More information can be found at: https://ucobservatories.org/

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the UC Observatories Director and in consultation with the Executive Director of Sciences, the Director of Development serves in a lead role to strategically plan, develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate a major donor fundraising program to secure and increase philanthropic support from individuals, corporations, and foundations for the initiative/divisional priorities as determined by the UC Observatories Director and the Executive Director of Sciences. In consultation with the Executive Director of Sciences, the Director of Development will develop and implement donor strategy. The Director of Development will also support the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics with fundraising needs.

The Director of Development's major responsibilities will include managing the university's relationship with current donors and prospective donors who give or are capable of giving at the $50,000 level or above. The Director of Development will prepare a strategic plan to develop and implement all components of a major gifts program with specific emphasis on initiating a plan to identify and qualify new prospects. The Director of Development will design and implement comprehensive strategies to identify, cultivate, and steward the highest capacity individuals, build engagement of these individuals, create gift opportunities based on initiative/divisional priorities, formulate and coordinate fundraising strategies, and determine appropriate stewardship plans for significant donors. The Director of Development will involve the trustees, other high-level volunteers, and academic leaders in connecting these donors to deepen their interest and involvement.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $104,900 - $115,000 / Annually. 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: 000462 (FUNDRAISER 4) - Grade 25

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

70% - Divisional Prospect and Donor Development

• With faculty, volunteers, and staff, identifies new sources of potential gift support for the division with a particular focus on divisional priorities in a comprehensive campaign.
• Works with the Director to identify, create, and execute cultivation and solicitation strategies with specific timetables for prospects (individuals, corporations, and foundations) for UCO.
• Works with the Executive Director, Dean, Astronomy and Astrophysics Department Chairs, faculty, volunteers, and staff to increase and enhance the institution's participation and success in private fundraising.
• Maintains a portfolio of approximately 100 major-gift-level prospective donors, defined as individuals capable of contributing $50,000 or more. Specific goals for solicitation, cultivation, and discovery moves will be set on an annual basis through the operational planning process. Develops and implements 144 meaningful interactions (moves) with donors and donor prospects annually.
• Personally qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards assigned donors and prospects, with the aim of raising $1,000,000 or more per year, once established in the position. Works cooperatively with other development officers, deans, faculty, administrative personnel, and volunteers to develop and coordinate effective donor strategies and gift opportunities.
• Prepares and edits proposals and presentations needed for the successful solicitation of prospective donors.
• Prepares letters of gift, both simple and complex, to ensure clear and proper gift acceptance that meets the needs of the campus and the donors. This may entail negotiation with donors and campus entities.
• Enters confidential contact reports into the customer relationship management system (CRM).
• Manages biographical data in our CRM following appropriate protocol to ensure data integrity.
• Implements a stewardship program for major donors and to assure regular contact through annual impact reports and various stewardship and cultivation activities and events. This may be in cooperation with the donor relations team.
• Works closely with the prospect research and management team to develop and maintain a pool of major gift prospects. This includes both reviewing and further researching individuals.

25% - Support Departments and Programs with Development Activities

• Works with the Astronomy and Astrophysics Department on targeted mass appeals related to their fundraising goals, including developing lists of prospective donors. Helps ensure the annual Giving Day runs smoothly in the division.
• Provides campus liaison and fundraising guidance to friends groups that are organized to assist with fundraising for the division.
• Plans and coordinates special events in the division to reach, identify, and expand the base of potential major donors.
• Contributes to guest lists for alumni and general campus events in an effort to strengthen the donor pipeline and to steward the giving of existing donors. Recruits and organizes volunteer support for the division, ensuring effective coordination of high-level fundraising volunteers, such as the Advisory Council. Identifies and tracks volunteer activities for donors and donor prospects.
• Operates a personal vehicle to travel to donor sites and remote locations, including the Lick Observatory, which is not accessible by public transportation, to support outreach, fundraising, and programmatic activities.

5% - General Service and Professional Development

• Participates in University Advancement and their home division meetings and task forces and special committees for projects as needed.
• Participates in professional development throughout the year to enhance proficiency and understanding related to the job.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Demonstrated experience in a complex fundraising environment with relevant fundraising experience emphasizing the identification, cultivation, and successful conclusion of major gifts from foundations and individuals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to speak and write with ease, clarity, and impact. Ability to express, concisely and persuasively, the mission of the university and the development goals of the campus and the academic division.
• Sound working knowledge of the full spectrum of development practice, principles, ethics, and activities. These include gift policies, solicitations, stewardship, administration, and working with high-level volunteer committees, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge creatively to specific fundraising projects.
• Advanced interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with people of differing temperaments, socioeconomic backgrounds, and political/ethical philosophies within and outside the university. Ability to be tactful, diplomatic, and attentive in personal contacts with donors, external constituencies, and university personnel.
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification / avoidance / resolution.
• Advanced organizational skills.
• Strong project management skills.
• Progressively more responsible experience in the design and implementation of complex development programs that include all aspects of fundraising, emphasizing the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of individuals, corporations, and foundations, as well as some supervisory experience.
• Proven track record of successful cold calling, mailings, and other grassroots development efforts.
• 3-5 years of fundraising experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree.
• Knowledge of planned giving techniques, including an understanding of current tax laws relevant to charitable giving and estate planning.
• Skill to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience working on a comprehensive campaign.

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.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• 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.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• 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.

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.

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.

a. "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

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.