Associate Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement, Corporate and Foundation Relations

Associate Vice President of Health Sciences Advancement, Corporate and Foundation Relations

USC is seeking an accomplished advancement strategist and fundraising leader to drive transformative corporate and foundation giving across the university’s health enterprise. The Associate Vice President of Health Sciences Advancement, Corporate and Foundation Relations (CFR) will serve as a trusted partner to the Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement, providing strategic oversight of all corporate and foundation relations efforts, campaign planning, and fundraising operations across the Health Sciences enterprise. This role has been designed to strengthen USC’s philanthropic impact in health innovation, expand institutional partnerships, and align fundraising efforts with the university’s broader research and academic mission.

About the Role

The Associate Vice President will provide leadership and direction for Health Sciences Advancement (HSA), overseeing programs that support major, principal, and transformational gift fundraising from corporations and foundations. Serving as the lead strategist for Health Sciences corporate and foundation philanthropy, the Associate Vice President will partner closely with leadership across USC’s five health schools, clinical departments, and research centers to identify opportunities, build partnerships, and secure impactful investments that advance USC’s health priorities.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Health Sciences Advancement, this individual will develop and execute a comprehensive CFR campaign business plan, integrating philanthropic and sponsored research initiatives in partnership with the Offices of Sponsored Research and Contracts and Grants. The Associate Vice President will manage a robust portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects and will travel regionally, nationally, and internationally to cultivate and steward relationships that expand the university’s health research and academic footprint.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for Health Sciences Advancement, overseeing programs that drive major, principal, and transformational corporate and foundation gifts.

• Serve as the lead strategist for corporate and foundation relations across USC’s Health Sciences enterprise, advancing institutional fundraising goals through collaborative and innovative approaches.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive CFR campaign business plan and portfolio in partnership with the Vice President and senior leadership team for Health Sciences Advancement.

• Work collaboratively with the Offices of Sponsored Research and Contracts and Grants to align private philanthropy with sponsored research, promoting the growth of USC’s health research portfolio.

• Collaborate closely with deans, faculty, clinical department chairs, clinicians and center and institute directors across the five Health Sciences schools, Health System and other USC schools that conduct health related research and programs to identify funding opportunities, generate support, and maintain alignment with institutional priorities.

• Manage and actively solicit a portfolio of corporate and foundation prospects to secure significant philanthropic support.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with advancement colleagues across the university, including central advancement teams, ensuring strategic coordination of corporate and foundation partnerships.

• Oversee stewardship and communications protocols for Health Sciences corporate and foundation donors at all levels, ensuring meaningful engagement and recognition.

• Identify and address operational vulnerabilities, implementing process improvements that enhance efficiency, innovation, and team performance.

• Manage and develop staff and senior leaders within the Health Sciences Advancement team, fostering an inclusive culture of accountability, trust, and collaboration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field (combined education and experience may substitute for minimum education)

• 10 years of progressively responsible experience with university development/advancement setting

• Experience in health sciences fundraising, preferably within an academic medical or research environment

• Proven record of cultivating and soliciting major, principal, and transformational gifts from corporations and foundations

• Demonstrated experience building and managing high-performing teams, fostering an environment of transparency, accountability, and collaboration

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship management skills with the ability to interact effectively with senior leaders, faculty, and philanthropists

• Exceptional judgment, political acumen, and discretion in handling sensitive and high-profile matters

• Experience managing complex projects, meeting deadlines, and driving results in a fast-paced environment

• Proficiency with office management and collaboration tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Slack, Skype).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business, communications, higher education administration, or a related field

• 12 years of progressively responsible experience within university development/advancement setting

• Extensive experience leading advancement teams and fundraising campaigns within higher education or health-related organizations

• Expert knowledge of university advancement practices, corporate and foundation giving strategies, and trends in health research philanthropy

• Demonstrated success partnering with senior leadership and faculty to develop strategic fundraising initiatives

• Experience integrating sponsored research and philanthropic funding to advance institutional priorities

• Track record of fostering cross-functional collaboration and leading organizational change to achieve transformative results.

Required Documents and Additional Information

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

The budgeted salary range for this position is $254,735 - $400,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s 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.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree

Minimum Experience: 10 years in university development and/or advancement

Minimum Skills: Proven experience with cultivation and solicitation of major gifts from a variety of donors (e.g., individuals, corporations, foundations). Demonstrated experience interacting with a broad spectrum of leaders and community members, exercising diplomacy, good judgment, and discretion. Excellent written and oral communication skills, advanced political acumen, and exemplary attention to detail. Ability to build, develop and manage high-performing teams, fostering an environment of trust, collaboration, transparency, and accountability. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, deftly handle time-sensitive matters, meet strict deadlines, and accomplish high-profile and sometimes confidential tasks. Experience with office management software/tools (e.g., Google suite, Slack, Skype).

Preferred Education: Master's degree

Preferred Experience: 12 years

Preferred Skills: Demonstrated experience with senior leadership in an academic or business environment and sophisticated philanthropists. Experience in health sciences fundraising, preferably in an academic medical setting. Expert knowledge of current and emerging higher education issues and relevant essential rules, policies, laws, and best practices.

                                                  

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 the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for 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 (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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