Director, Major Gifts

Director Major Gifts

About Classical California

Classical California is Americas largest listener-supported public media organization dedicated to classical music. Home to KUSC in Los Angeles and KDFC in San Francisco our broadcasts and streams reach 1.6 million listeners each month worldwide. We enrich lives and communities through music experiences that are accessible inclusive and relevant to audiences of all ages.

Position Summary

Classical California seeks a strategic and relationship-driven Director Major Gifts to lead our major and mid-level giving programs. This newly established role sets the vision and strategy for donor cultivation solicitation and stewardship across KUSC and KDFC driving revenue growth donor retention and pipeline development.

Reporting to the President of Classical California the Director oversees a team of gift officers and stewardship professionals collaborates across departments and serves as a key partner to USC Advancement. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a fundraising professional passionate about classical music public media and donor engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Fundraising & Strategy 40%

• Develop and lead multi-year strategies for major ($2500) and mid-level giving.

• Manage a personal portfolio of top donors and prospects including cultivation solicitation and stewardship.

• Oversee portfolio segmentation pipeline development and moves-management practices.

• Lead donor events and experiences across Southern and Northern California.

Team Leadership 25%

• Supervise and coach gift officers; set goals activity expectations and development plans.

• Foster a collaborative inclusive and high-performing team culture.

• Recruit and onboard staff in alignment with USC and Classical California values.

Donor Relations & Giving Programs 15%

• Design and implement personalized donor journeys and a year-round stewardship calendar.

• Oversee planned giving foundation support and grant initiatives.

• Manage strategic engagement with the Board of Councilors

• Coordinate targeted campaigns and digital giving strategies in collaboration with Development and Marketing.

Budgets & Administration 20%

• Manage the Donor Relations budget and revenue forecasting.

• Ensure cross-functional alignment with Development Marketing Finance and USC Advancement.

• Uphold compliance with USC policies IRS regulations and donor intent.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors degree

• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.

• Minimum 7 years of fundraising experience preferably in public media or the arts.

• At least 3 years of experience in major donor fundraising and stewardship.

• Proficiency with CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce HubSpot) and online giving platforms.

• Strong writing relationship-building and project management skills.

• Experience with budgeting forecasting and data-driven fundraising.

• Ability to travel regularly between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree

• 10 years of fundraising experience

• Knowledge of planned giving foundation support and grants.

• Experience with enterprise online giving (preferably GoFundMe Pro)

• Experience with email marketing website development/coding and Adobe Creative Suite.

Preference will be given to candidates located in the Los Angeles area; however applicants from the San Francisco Bay Area will also be considered. This is a hybrid-fixed position under our current work arrangement plan with the expectation of an on-site presence for 3 days/week at the USC Tower in downtown Los Angeles or at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Nights weekends and travel are required for this position.

Classical California is committed to non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all where all staff and our stakeholders have the opportunity to connect belong and grow while supporting the University of Southern Californias mission values and goals.

Compensation and Benefits

The budgeted salary range for this position is $180000 - $190000. When extending an offer of employment the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position the candidates work experience education/training key skills internal peer alignment federal state and local laws contractual stipulations grant funding as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support faculty and staff well-being USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents health wealth and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USCs comprehensive benefits here.

Required Documents

Resume and cover letter required (may be uploaded as one file). Please do not submit your application without these documents.

USC 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 protected veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at or by email at. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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Director