Assistant Director, Parent and Family Philanthropy (7547U), University Development and Alumni Relations #86750

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 make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) strengthens Berkeley's excellence through engagement with alums, parents, undergraduate and graduate students, and friends of the University, raising public awareness about Berkeley, and increasing private philanthropy. UDAR provides overall direction for the campus's philanthropic advancement strategies and works to strengthen unit development in partnership with campus fundraisers. UDAR handles a range of central activities and services encompassing communications, stewardship, prospect development, and gift management.

The Office of Annual Programs is the university's largest fundraising department and is responsible for engaging thousands of alumni, parents, and students as donors and volunteers each year. The goals of this department are to: 1) increase the number of annual donors, 2) significantly raise the amount of discretionary funds for the Chancellor, the deans and program directors, and 3) identify campaign/major donors for the campus. Programs include the Parent and Family Philanthropy program, Pipeline Development, and Direct Response Marketing. The department is made up of 33 employees and raises $13-$15 million in private contributions from 40% of campus donors each year.

The Parents and Family Philanthropy (PFP) Program at UC Berkeley partners with parents and other family members of current students and alumni to empower families to support the university's mission, and particularly the quality of undergraduate life, through their time, talent and treasure. In partnership with the PFP program and units across campus, parents and families give from $50 million to $100 million or more every year to support Cal's work of education, research and public service.

Position Summary

The Assistant Director, Parent and Family Philanthropy raises leadership gifts from parents of current students and parents of alumni to support the Cal Parents Fund (Cal Fund) and other needs across the UC Berkeley campus. This position works with the Cal Parents and Family Philanthropy team in UDAR to support and advance family philanthropy across campus, making families an increasingly significant source of financial support for schools, colleges and other units at Cal. The Assistant Director, Parent and Family Philanthropy proactively manages a portfolio of 200-250 individual leadership and major gift prospects who have the capacity to give between $100,000 and $250,000 over a span of five years. This role makes an average of 10 in-person and on-screen visits per month plus substantive contacts to advance the donor relationship. The Assistant Director, Parent and Family Philanthropy qualifies major gift prospects, solicits gifts directly, and ensures predetermined fundraising goals are met. This position also consults with the Prospect Management liaison to actively identify and add/subtract parent-prospects from the portfolio on an ongoing basis.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is June 26, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

Direct Fundraising & Solicitation

• Independently manages a portfolio of 200-250 current and prospective donors who are parents or other family of current or alumni students.
• Skillfully moves donors through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship and re-solicitation, raising at least $500,000 annually for the university.

Fundraising Programs & Analytics

• Provides analysis and information of complex results or activities, and makes recommendations to upper management for program changes or development of new programs as required.
• Coordinates and may oversee the work of support staff, volunteers and / or other professionals.

Donor Relations & Development

• Develops donor solicitation strategies within existing policy guidelines.
• Participates in short- and long-range strategic planning of fund development and donor relations programs.
• Collaborates with colleagues throughout the university to develop volunteer opportunities for prospective and current donors at the leadership and major gift levels.

Fundraising Events

• Participates in the planning, execution and evaluation of donor events and uses such events to establish and build relationships with current and potential donors.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to apply thorough working knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Ability to demonstrate a working knowledge of the Parent and Family Philanthropy program or related program, including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements and infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of applicable fundraising laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• Strong written and interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain good working relationships throughout the organization and with outside constituencies.
• Strong organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills, including skills in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification / avoidance / resolution, and project management skills.
• Strong skills in maintaining confidentiality.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

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 annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $95,000.00 - $105,000.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 4 days/week remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

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 allegations 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

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.