Director of Development

The Lawrence Hall of Science’s Director of Development oversees and runs a multi-faceted fundraising program; identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards a portfolio of major donors; and serves as a key liaison to the Advisory Council. The Director of Development will work collaboratively to develop and expand The Lawrence’s prospect pool, identifying and cultivating new donors, and engaging prospects towards higher giving levels. They will make personal visits to prospects, donors and influencers both independently and with The Lawrence’s Director and leadership team members. 

The Lawrence Hall of Science embraces flexible working arrangements for its employees. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with the supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change. This role is eligible for a hybrid work plan, which will include some on site work and may include some evenings and weekends.

This is a one-year, full-time, renewable contract position.

Fundraising Strategy & Communications

• Analyzes needs and assists in the creation of strategic plans for fundraising and other advancement programs.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the development calendar, including large-scale fundraising campaigns for ongoing and new initiatives.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates strategies for cultivation and direct solicitation of prospects, including creating and writing promotional materials and proposals for campaigns and major gifts.
• Supervises Development Associate who runs annual giving and stewardship events, and supports development operations, including the donor database, online donation portal, gift processing procedures, and reporting.

Major Gifts Fundraising and Stewardship

• Identifies, qualifies, cultivates, and solicits major gift prospects and donors. Develops strategies for stewarding portfolio of existing donors and prospects to move them through the qualification-cultivation-solicitation-stewardship cycle. Works to develop a new portfolio of major gifts prospects, with a goal of raising at least $1 million annually after the first 18 months. Maintains regular contact with existing major donors and prospects via meetings, videoconference, telephone, letters, and email, in order to advance donor strategies.
• Supports Director and other leadership of The Lawrence in stewardship of prospects and donors. Partners with leadership to build relationships between them and top donors, including preparing briefings as needed. Organizes and manages fundraising visits with senior leadership.
• Develops complex, campaign-related, donor-facing pieces for major gift prospects. Creates and manages individualized stewardship plans of major donors and responds in a timely manner to ad hoc stewardship requests.
• Implements templates, tools, and guides to ensure efficiency and consistency in stewardship communications.
• Leverages on-campus events and campus resources as opportunities for donor engagement and stewardship

Representing The Lawrence

• Attends fundraising and networking events for The Lawrence Hall of Science, including all signature events. –Attend functions, meetings and serve on internal / external committees as a representative of The Lawrence.
• Serve as The Lawrence’s primary liaison with UC Berkeley fundraising partners in University Donor and Alumni Relations (UDAR), Prospect Development, and various academic departments.

Fund Management

• Work with UCB Fund Management to track endowment funds of The Lawrence. Report endowment fund impacts to donors and actively evaluate opportunities to increase endowment support for The Lawrence.

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Detailed knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc. pertaining to fundraising, gift acceptance and prospect management.
• Advanced written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Demonstrates expert level skills in making persuasive and compelling presentations of goals and objectives for a campaign in order to secure gifts.
• Very strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to work across multiple databases and CRM systems.
• Ability to oversee multiple projects and quickly discern complex and competing interests.
• Proven experience identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $100,000+.
• At least five years work experience in a professional capacity conducting advancement activities such as fundraising, membership, donor relations, or development marketing.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends for donor events and stewardship activities.
• The ability to travel locally in the SF Bay Area to meet with donors and prospects in person.
• Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

• Successful experience fundraising for a complex, multifaceted non- profit organization, University, science center or educational organization.
• Familiarity with the University of California, Berkeley and the Lawrence Hall of Science and/or the ability to learn the institution’s vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
• Advanced organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification / avoidance / resolution, and strong project management skills.
• Creative and effective problem-solver who is accustomed to and undaunted by obstacles.
• Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in a business, organization or public university setting.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.