Sr. Director of Development, Ecological & Environmental Sciences

Position Number: 40035234

Payroll Title: FUNDRAISER 4

Job Code: 000462

Job Open Date: 08/25/2025

Application Review Begins: 09/10/2025; open until filled

Department Code (Name): DEVL (DEVELOPMENT)

Percentage of Time: 100%

Union Code (Name): 99 (Non-Represented)

Employee Class (Appointment Type): Staff (Contract)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classified Indicator Description (Personnel Program): MSP

Salary Grade: Grade 25

Pay Rate/Range: The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $115,000 to $140,000/year. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience; the budget for the position; and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $108,100 to $204,900/year.

Work Location: Cheadle Hall - 4219

Working Days and Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm

Benefits Eligibility: Full Benefits

Eligible for Hybrid Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Both UC & Non-UC locations)

Special Instructions:

For full consideration, please include a resume and a cover letter as part of your application.

Department Marketing Statement:

The UC Santa Barbara Office of Development blends the strengths of both a centralized and a decentralized operation. Although all development officers report to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Development or his/her designee, some are dedicated to specific schools and units, working hand-in-hand with Deans, Directors and faculty to secure private support. Additional development officers focus on specific regions of the country and/or are dedicated to increasing involvement by alumni, parents and friends. A strong central core initiates programs, or provides guidance and expertise, in foundation relations, planned giving, capital projects, donor stewardship, The UCSB Foundation and other areas of specialization. An integrated tracking and coordination system ensures a collaborative and smooth working environment, all aimed at enhancing UC Santa Barbara's attractiveness to, and involvement with, the private sector.

Benefits of Belonging:

Working at UC means being part of this vibrant institution that shines a light on what is possible. People make UC great, and UC recognizes your contributions by making this a great place to work. Excellent retirement and health are just one of the rewards. Learn more about the benefits of working at UC

Brief Summary of Job Duties:

This University Major Gifts Development Officer serves as Senior Director of Development ("Sr. Director") for the Ecological and Environmental Sciences team as assigned by Central Development. This team, under the supervision of the Senior Director of Development, Principal and Leadership Gifts, focuses on a compliment of initiatives prioritized for areas of campus within the Ecological and Environmental Sciences, including: the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Restoration, the Marine Science Institute, the Natural Reserve System, Sustainability, and the National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis (NCEAS). The Sr. Director works to optimize philanthropic support for the Ecological and Environmental Sciences in response to priorities established by the Academic and Program leadership of these areas. Projects may also include team efforts in partnership with the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management and Math, Life, and Physical Sciences, as well as other special projects as assigned. The Sr. Director reports to the Senior Director of Development, Principal and Leadership Gifts, working with a team that also includes a Senior Director of Development and a Development Analyst within the Ecological and Environmental Sciences (EES) Unit. The Sr. Director focuses about seventy-five percent time on major gift ($100k+) and leadership gift ($1M+) fund raising activities, prospect discovery, pipeline building, and lower-level gift solicitations ($10,000+). Fifteen percent of time is focused on other activities related to fund raising, including events, volunteer committee engagement, administrative duties and strategic planning, such as planning, coordinating, and implementing aspects of the Ecological and Environmental Sciences development program. Ten percent of time is focused on the management and supervision of the EES Development Analyst. With regard to major gift fund raising, the Sr. Director is responsible for designing and executing planned strategies for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, closing, and stewarding of gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The Sr. Director works personally with donor prospects and supports the Academic and Program leadership, faculty, and volunteers in prospect relationships, in order to maximize philanthropic support for the Ecological and Environmental Science areas, interdisciplinary initiatives, and the university overall to raise gifts to meet identified fundraising priorities. This Sr. Director is a resource for the Natural Reserve System, NCEAS, the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration, the Marine Science Institute, and UCSB Sustainability, and may have responsibility for particular unit areas, initiatives, and projects at the direction of their supervisor. Area based assignments within the Ecological and Environmental Sciences may be altered or redefined at the discretion of the Senior Director, Principal and Leadership Gifts.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• 4-6 years of experience fundraising in higher education.
• 7-9 years of demonstrated experience of managing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, soliciting and securing major gifts.
• Demonstrated track record of managing a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, soliciting and securing major gifts.
• Record of setting and meeting ambitious growth goals to expand an organization's supporters and increase revenue.
• Persuasive verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to relate to and communicate with a wide array of constituents.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suite and donor/customer relationship databases in order to search for new possible donors to the University.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of prior supervisory/managerial experience.
• Exceptional organizational skills and judgment necessary to manage multiple priorities and long-term projects.
• Ability to assess and understand donor needs and communicate the importance of division and donor partnership in achieving the mission.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with donors, volunteers and diverse staff.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• This is an annually renewable contract position with no limit on total duration.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel frequently.
• Ability to work comfortably with a flexible work schedule, including travel for major donor cultivation and some evening and weekend work.
• Required to hold a valid driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies and procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.
• Satisfactory conviction history background check
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment

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 allegation 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

Job Functions and Percentages of Time:

• 75% Fundraising - Identifies, cultivates, solicits, closes and stewards donor prospects, with a primary focus on gifts of $100,000+, as well as gifts $10,000+ in collaboration with supervisor and other members of the Ecological and Environmental Sciences team. - Manages a dynamic portfolio of approximately 90-120 prospects and donors with a focus on major gifts of $100,000+; devotes significant effort to cultivating personal relationships that lead to solicitations; comprehensively works portfolio of prospects and donors, with target of 80% portfolio penetration rate per year with contacts that include personal visits, phone conversations, correspondence, event cultivation, and other personal contact designed to result in philanthropic support of to UC Santa Barbara that align with donor passions and EES area priorities; - Meets or exceeds mutually agreed upon major gift program goals and metrics; develops and executes an annual operating plan with accountable monetary and activity goals; - Drafts necessary correspondence, donor proposals, and gift documentation generated from personal visits and solicitations. - Meets, with and without Academic and Program leadership, with major gift prospects in and out of the Santa Barbara region. - Supports and staffs senior administrators, as appropriate, in major donor prospect relationships including proposing planned strategies leading to gifts; attends donor meetings and solicitations; preparing briefings for development-related meetings; drafts or plans letters to donors and prospects and comments for donor gatherings; and sets and coordinates individual meetings with many key donors and prospects. - Attends various meetings and University events, including some activities on weekends, evenings, and out of town, in order to cultivate or solicit donors. - Develops and manages volunteer involvement on behalf of the assigned program areas to advance fundraising goals, and as appropriate works with Trustees of The UC Santa Barbara Foundation Board.

• 15% Strategy and Administration - Participates actively as a member of the Ecological and Environmental Sciences team and works with supervisor to establish strategic objectives and annual budget for program areas within the unit. - Creates a clear list of fundraising priorities for areas within the Ecological and Environmental Sciences unit, and associated materials, based upon Academic and Program leader priorities. - Submits contact reports reflecting moves and solicitations. - Works with supervisor and other members of the team to create and execute a master plan, that includes an annual operating plan, expenditure budget and revenue goal, for development of private gift support for the assigned areas. - Initiates, designs, and executes donor recognition and initiates publicity, as appropriate (working in coordination with the Donor Relations and the Office of Public Affairs). - Designs and executes tailored acknowledgments and recognition of large gifts (working in coordination with Donor Relations). - Participates in various Development Office, Ecological and Environmental Science, or other University committees, or handles special assignments, as appropriate. - Collaborates with other college, school and unit-based development officers, in particular in the context of collaborative academic programs and activities. - Works closely with Central Development to coordinate leadership gift, foundation and corporate, planned giving, and multi-interest prospect and donor strategies and opportunities. - Reviews and monitors travel, entertainment, and development related expenses.

• 10% Management & Supervision - The Sr. Director manages and supervises the Ecological and Environmental Sciences Development Analyst, in coordination with supervisor. This includes but is not limited to recruitment, hiring, onboarding, mentoring, evaluating performance, and continued supervision of this position. - Responsible for overseeing functions of the EES Analyst, in coordination with supervisor. This includes gift processing and tracking, events support, prospect and donor research, briefings, acknowledgements and stewardship reports, moves management support, travel and entertainment scheduling and reimbursement, and other administrative and analytical support needs for the Ecological and Environmental Sciences team.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy:

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccinations Programs.
As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals* must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up-to-Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt-Out Program no later than the Compliance Date (Capitalized terms in this paragraph are defined in the policy.). Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations - https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy

*Covered Individuals: A Covered Individual includes anyone designated as Personnel or Students under this Policy who physically access a University Facility or Program in connection with their employment, appointment, or education/training. A person accessing a Healthcare Location as a patient, or an art, athletics, entertainment, or other publicly accessible venue at a Location as a member of the public, is not a Covered Individual.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

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 status under state or federal law.

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