Job Description
Are you driven by the
opportunity to power groundbreaking discoveries that transform brain health on a global scale?
The University of California, San
Francisco (UCSF) - a global leader in health sciences - is seeking an extraordinary, strategic, and collaborative Executive Director of
Development, Neurosciences. In this high-profile role, you will direct a dedicated frontline fundraising team and partner directly with
world-class department chairs, institute directors, clinical leaders, and pioneering researchers to design and secure transformative major
and principal philanthropic gifts ($250k to $10M+) across the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences.
As a senior development
strategist within the Office of University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR), you will occupy a critical leadership position, shaping
the future of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry. You will bridge complex clinical priorities and visionary scientific research,
converting them into inspiring, high-impact donor opportunities that accelerate discoveries for neurodegenerative diseases, mental health,
brain injury, and cognitive science.
Why This Role Is Unique
Power a World-Renowned Ecosystem: Drive philanthropic
strategy
across the prestigious UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, unifying elite departments - including Neurology, Neurological
Surgery, and
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences - alongside cutting-edge research centers.
- Direct Access to Visionary Academic
Leadership:
Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to department chairs, institute directors, and world-renowned scientists,
translating
complex clinical and basic science visions into compelling philanthropic narratives. - High-Impact, Transformative
Philanthropy:
Secure visionary gifts that directly accelerate clinical breakthroughs, expand patient access, fund high-risk/high-reward
research, and
empower the next generation of neuroscience leaders. - Senior Strategic & Team Leadership: Direct, mentor, and elevate a
high-performing frontline fundraising team while serving as a key strategist on UDAR leadership bodies, including Frontline Leaders and
Executive Team spaces. - Unrivaled Collaborative Environment: Join one of the nation's premier academic development organizations,
built on a culture of deep partnership, intellectual curiosity, and shared accomplishment.
Desired Mindset &
Competencies
- Intellectual Curiosity & Passion for Neuroscience: A genuine fascination with brain health, clinical
innovation, and biomedical
research, paired with the ability to translate complex medical concepts into inspiring donor
opportunities. - Strategic Agility &
Political Acumen: Demonstrated expertise navigating complex organizations, aligning diverse
stakeholder interests, and managing multiple
high-priority initiatives simultaneously. - Collaborative Leadership & Team Orientation:
High emotional intelligence, a team-first
mindset, and a commitment to growing talent, celebrating collective wins, and fostering a
supportive, high-performing environment.
*note: Salary commensurate with internal equity based on education, scope, and
experience
Department
Overview:
At UCSF's Office of University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR), we're
proud to be the kind of place where
great ideas can come from anyone, and you can do the most impactful work of your career alongside
fantastic colleagues. From our pioneering
work in the AIDS crisis to the creation of a silicon brain, you will experience the world-class
nature of our work and the difference it
makes.
UDAR is a team of innovative professionals who partner with world-class scientists,
healthcare providers, and philanthropists
to advance breakthrough research and life-changing patient care. We're one of the nation's top
fundraising organizations, home to smart,
driven people who care deeply about UCSF's mission to advance science and transform health.
Our success comes from the combined
talents of many roles: frontline fundraisers who build transformative partnerships with donors;
alumni relations professionals who nurture
lasting connections with the UCSF community; writers and designers who help tell the university's
story; researchers and analysts who
provide critical insights; and operations and information systems experts who keep us running smoothly.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent
experience /
training - 8+ years of related experience
- 7+ years of supervisory, management experience
- Excellent
knowledge of all
aspects of fundraising, donor and public relations including advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations,
policies,
etc. - Excellent knowledge of the campus, its achievements, vision, mission, goals, objectives, applicable policies,
infrastructure
and current issues of concern and knowledge of issues of concern for higher education, generally - Excellent knowledge
of leadership /
management concepts, procedures, techniques and best practices - Excellent leadership / management skills to select,
train, mentor,
evaluate and motivate staff - Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communications skills, including excellent
political acumen
skills, to build and maintain effective working relationships within all organizational levels and with outside
constituencies - Excellent skills in meeting predetermined goals and objectives, including securing gifts and meeting fundraising
goals - Excellent strategic planning, critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, persuasion / negotiation skills and marketing
skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree
Job Info
Job Identification: 9549- Job Category: External Affairs
- Degree Level: Bachelor's Degree
- Job
Schedule: Full time - Job Shift: Day
- Shift Length: 8 hours
- Budgeted Job Salary Range:
$270,000 - $300,000 - Campus Location 1: Embarcadero Street (SF)
- Bargaining Unit: 99
- Employee
Class: Career - FLSA Status: Exempt
- Job Code and Payroll Title: 000465 | FUNDRAISING MGR 2
WorkplaceFlexible: 1 Day On-Site- FTE%: 100.00
