About Berkeley
At the University of California, Berkeley , we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that…
benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world.
At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and providing space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups.
We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence.
Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.
Departmental Overview
Cal Performances is the performing arts presenting, commissioning, and producing organization based at the University of California, Berkeley. The mission of Cal Performances is to produce and present performances of the highest artistic quality, enhanced by programs that explore compelling intersections of education and the performing arts. Cal Performances fulfills this mission by presenting, producing, and commissioning outstanding artists, both renowned and emerging, to serve the University and the broader public through performances and education and community programs.
Under the strategic direction of the Chief Development Officer, the Leadership Giving Officer develops and executes long-range development strategies for prospects and donors with the capacity to give 6+ figure gifts to Cal Performances. The Leadership Giving Officer works in partnership with other members of a 9-person development team to create comprehensive fundraising strategies designed to inspire giving from existing major gifts donors and new major gifts prospects.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: October 30, 2026
Responsibilities
Develops and manages a dynamic portfolio of approximately 150 donors, with the capacity to give $100,000 or more to Cal Performances.
- Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards prospects for gifts in the portfolio; this may also include delivering personalized experiences such as backstage visits and working with corporate and foundation prospects with ties to individual major donors and prospects.
- Evaluates fund development approaches using prospect research and financial capacity data, including planning and evaluating annual solicitation programs for the portfolio, and making recommendations for improvements.
- Works collaboratively with discovery and new philanthropy staff to bring new donors into the pipeline through discovery, cultivation, and solicitation.
- Writes proposals for solicitation of individual prospects. Solicits gifts directly; works with senior staff, content experts, and key volunteers to implement successful solicitation strategies.
- Manages relationships with some of the University's most important donors, especially where designated as primary manager.
- Develops and executes long- and short-term strategies to secure major gifts from individuals in support of the Cal Performances mission.
- Attends performances and related education events to cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects.
- Conducts 10-12 prospect/donor visits per month, through various means.
- Develops stewardship reports, including donor profiles, to donors as needed, in collaboration with artistic, education, marketing, and other staff.
- Analyzes needs and assists in the creation of strategic plans for Development programs.
- Attends functions, meetings, and serves on internal/external committees as a representative of Cal Performances.
- Works as part of the team to execute various duties related to events, including the annual fundraising gala, including but not limited to executing fundraising strategies, vendor communications, ticket and table sales, donor stewardship, auction and fund-a-need, and donor communications.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience
- A minimum of 5+ years in the field of major or individual giving, overseeing any aspect of development.
- Advanced knowledge of fundraising and events, donor relations concepts, procedures, and techniques.
- Enthusiasm for the range of performing arts.
- Advanced written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
- Advanced skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of the organization's goals/objectives to successfully secure gifts.
- Advanced skills to meet predetermined goals and objectives through effective project planning, organization, execution, and evaluation.
- Advanced analytical, critical thinking, problem recognition, and resolution skills.
- Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed fundraising goals and objectives.
- This position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check.
- Advanced knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, and general policies about philanthropy.
- Ability to learn and work with University policies, especially related to philanthropy.
- Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
- Strong skills in digital technology for documents, spreadsheets, donor databases, email, and digital communications.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years in any area of development for higher education or cultural organizations preferred.
- Experience in major fundraising campaigns.
- Advanced knowledge of Tessitura and/or Salesforce CRM preferred.
Salary & Benefits
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.
Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.
The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is: $94,300 to $104,000
How to Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
