Chief Development Officer

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Position Summary The University of Southern California seeks an accomplished advancement leader to serve as Chief Development Officer (CDO) for the USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Reporting to the Dean of the Mann School, with a dotted-line relationship to the Vice President, Health Sciences Advancement, the CDO serves as the school's senior fundraising executive and leads all aspects of its comprehensive development program. The CDO is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and executing short- and long-term strategies to secure major, principal, and transformational gifts from individuals, alumni, foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic partners. Working closely with the Dean, faculty, staff, volunteers, and university leadership, the CDO advances the school's strategic priorities through philanthropy. The position oversees fundraising strategy, donor engagement, stewardship, volunteer management, development operations, and staff leadership while serving as a key ambassador for the Mann School and USC. Opportunity The Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a unique opportunity to advance one of the nation's leading pharmaceutical sciences and pharmacy programs. In addition to its nationally recognized education and research programs, the Mann School operates pharmacies on USC's University Park Campus and Health Sciences Campus, as well as the USC Pharmacy in South Los Angeles, extending its impact through direct patient care and community engagement. Working closely with world-renowned faculty, researchers, and university leadership, the Chief Development Officer will help secure philanthropic support for groundbreaking research, therapeutic innovation, translational medicine, student success, and initiatives that improve health outcomes for patients and communities. Ideal Candidate Profile The Mann School seeks a strategic and intellectually curious development leader who combines exceptional fundraising expertise with the ability to engage a highly scientific and translational research enterprise. The successful candidate will bring demonstrated success securing major and principal gifts, leading comprehensive fundraising programs, managing high-performing teams, and cultivating relationships with sophisticated donors and stakeholders. We welcome candidates with advancement leadership experience across higher education, academic medical centers, healthcare organizations, research institutes, scientific organizations, and other mission-driven sectors. They will be comfortable operating in an environment that spans basic science, drug discovery, translational medicine, clinical trials, commercialization, and patient impact. The ideal candidate is a scientifically fluent development executive who can build credibility with researchers, clinicians, biotech and pharmaceutical leaders, venture philanthropists, grateful patients, alumni, foundations, and major donors. They possess the ability to translate complex scientific research into compelling philanthropic opportunities and demonstrate how philanthropy can accelerate discovery, therapeutic innovation, translational research, and meaningful impact for patients and communities. Key responsibilities will include the following: Lead the planning, implementation, and execution of comprehensive fundraising and stewardship strategies in support of the Mann School's mission and strategic priorities. Secure major, principal, and transformational gifts from individuals, alumni, foundations, corporations, and other philanthropic partners. Partner with the Dean, faculty, and university leadership to identify funding priorities and develop philanthropic opportunities aligned with institutional goals. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospective and current donors while expanding and strengthening the school's donor pipeline. Represent the Mann School to donors, alumni, foundations, corporations, volunteers, and other key stakeholders. Translate complex scientific and research initiatives into compelling cases for philanthropic investment. Plan and direct donor visits, engagement opportunities, and special events that advance fundraising objectives. Collaborate with university partners to develop donor communications, fundraising materials, impact stories, and stewardship initiatives. Encourage and support faculty engagement with foundations and corporate partners and facilitate philanthropic proposals when appropriate. Develop and oversee the annual development budget and ensure effective stewardship of resources. Recruit, mentor, and lead development staff, fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and inclusive team culture. Establish goals, monitor progress, provide coaching and feedback, and empower staff and volunteers through active communication and leadership. Maintain awareness of legal, regulatory, and policy developments affecting philanthropy and

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