Assistant Dean for Advancement (0464U), School of Journalism - #81639

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 (staff organizations). 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

On October 1, 1964, Mario Savio climbed onto a police car and ignited the Free Speech Movement, right here in Berkeley. As a catalyst for change, justice and human rights, what could be a more fitting location for a school of professional journalism? And what could be more relevant today, when free speech is under attack from both restrictive algorithms and people in power.

The only graduate-level school of journalism in the entire UC system, the UC Berkeley School of Journalism's mission is to expand the worldwide impact of truth-seeking, fact-based and inclusive journalism by training the next generation of diverse journalists to become exceptional storytellers and newsroom leaders. The School offers a two-year Master of Journalism degree to an enrollment of about 120 students at a time, a summer journalism minor serving more than 500 undergraduates each year, and is the home of the pathbreaking California Local News Fellowship program, which places Berkeley Journalism graduates and other early career journalists in local newsrooms throughout the state of California.

Berkeley Journalism's reputation for superb education is recognized globally - and it has the awards to prove it. In just the past few years Berkeley's faculty, students, and alumni were awarded or named as finalists for dozens of prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, the Student Academy Award for Best Documentary, The George Polk Award for National Television Reporting, the Online News Association's Student Journalism Award, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and more. Our students get great jobs at media outfits of all kinds, from Bloomberg News and the New York Times to the Center for Investigative Reporting, Mission Local, and CalMatters.

Our faculty are both thinkers and doers. They embrace their role as mentors to the next generation of ground-breaking journalists. They teach and inspire, imparting skills and energizing vision. Our students are vibrant, diverse, curious, driven, unafraid. They are the future of journalism, compelled by an insatiable desire to investigate and report stories that matter, in any form. Our alumni include some of the leading journalists in the world. They produce award-winning and important work - and are paving the way for our current students.

We live in a moment like no other, when journalism education can help restore American democracy by strengthening bonds of trust and credibility in journalism, bringing new voices, new leaders, and new cultural competencies to the field. If you're ready to help take Berkeley Journalism into the future, we want to hear from you.

Position Summary

Berkeley Journalism seeks a committed, experienced, self-directed development professional to be its next Assistant Dean for Advancement. Working with the dean of the School you will lead a small but mighty advancement team responsible for raising funds from major donors, foundations, planned gifts, and alumni. In addition to raising funds for Berkeley Journalism's award-winning faculty and students, you'll also lead a special campaign that will take Berkeley Journalism into a vibrant future built around innovation, diversity, and excellence.

We're looking for someone with the experience, maturity, and vision to build and maintain strong, fruitful relationships with donors, and who knows the joy of raising funds for a great cause.

Reporting to the dean and with a dotted line to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Constituent Relations, the assistant dean personally manages a portfolio of 60-80 major gift prospects; identifies new major gift prospects; develops and manages foundation proposals; collaborates with advancement and communications staff on materials, marketing plans, and events; and identifies, cultivates and stewards planned giving donors. The assistant dean manages two staff: A Leadership Gifts Officer, and an Alumni Relations and Events staff member.

The assistant dean will also partner with the dean to shape a comprehensive strategic plan and vision for the School, translating that vision into a compelling case for both annual giving and a renewed Campaign for Berkeley Journalism. They will create and manage an annual budget to meet fundraising goals; work with the dean to solicit donations from donors, funders, and supporters of the School; and support the dean's involvement with the School's advisory board and engage board members in fundraising, ambassadorship, and networking. The assistant dean also provides advice and guidance for contract and grant acquisition, gifts-in-kind, faculty engagement in advancement, alumni engagement. They demonstrate leadership qualities that inspire trust, confidence, and purpose.

Position is expected to raise at least $5 million annually. Results have a major impact on the overall goals of the program.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 11/04/2025.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and manages the identification, cultivation and solicitation of donors and donor prospects.
• Makes at least 10 - 15 substantive contacts per month (e.g., significant moves that advance a relationship).
• Meets regularly with campus portfolio manager, attends all campus fundraiser meetings.
• Designs, organizes, and successfully leads a multiyear comprehensive campaign for Berkeley Journalism in conjunction with campuswide efforts.
• Manages the comprehensive fundraising program for the School of Journalism.
• Conceives, creates, develops, implements and manages fundraising programs and strategies to successfully meet predetermined goals and objectives, and ensures that predetermined fundraising goals are met.
• Evaluates programs using financial feasibility studies and market research, including planning and evaluating annual solicitation programs and making recommendations for improvements.
• Assignments require managing a fundraising staff comprised of both professionals and related administrative support.
• Selects, trains, mentors, guides and directs subordinate staff and as required, takes corrective action.
• Conducts and participates in long and short-range strategic planning.
• Manages other external relations functions, such as volunteers, outreach, et cetera.

Required Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of all aspects of fundraising, donor and public relations, including strategies for donor identification, cultivation and solicitation, preferably applied in a journalism or journalism education setting
• Strong knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, etc.
• Strong knowledge of and/or can quickly learn the campus, its achievements, vision, mission, goals, objectives, applicable policies, infrastructure, and current issues of concern.
• Strong knowledge of management/leadership concepts, principles and best practices.
• Strong leadership/management skills to select, train, mentor, evaluate and motivate staff.
• Strong written, oral and interpersonal communications skills and political acumen to establish and maintain good working relationships within all organizational levels and with outside constituencies.
• Strong skills to meet predetermined goals and objectives, including securing gifts and meeting fundraising goals.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving skills.
• Works well in a team environment.
• Passion, respect and appreciation for journalism is a necessity.
• 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 $180,000.00 - $220,000.00. The full range for this classification is $124,700.00 - $240,900.00.

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

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This is not a visa opportunity.
• This position is eligible for up to 40% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

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

SB 791 and AB 810 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 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.