Chief Development Officer Jobs in California

INTRODUCTION

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

The University of California, Berkeley is a global leader in fundamental science, influential interdisciplinary research, and fostering technological and policy innovation. With a rich history of discovery and a commitment to creating both short-term and long-term societal benefit, UC Berkeley is uniquely positioned to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time, including the climate crisis and sustainability. Under the leadership of the Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment (AP-ECE), the Office of the AP-ECE will work collaboratively across campus and with external partners to promote research excellence, curricular innovation, community-engaged scholarship, and sustainable campus operations aligned with the university's broader strategic goals to provide long-term societal benefit. The Office of the AP-ECE is an entrepreneurial experiment for the Berkeley campus to test the boundaries of what is possible to propel transformative energy, climate and environment scholarship as well as curricular innovation within Berkeley's ecosystem of excellence.

The Chief Development Officer for the Office of Energy, Climate, and Environment is a senior advancement leader who designs, develops, and delivers fundraising programs that support the university's broader strategic goals to provide long-term societal benefit. This position reports to the Associate Provost for Energy, Climate, and Environment (AP-ECE) and works across disciplines with academic and fundraising leaders to build relationships with new and existing individual prospects and foundations and create solicitation strategies based on donor capacity and interest.

This is an expert fundraising professional in the area of major and principal gifts. The role maintains a portfolio of donors and prospects and may oversee professional staff if funding allows. The position is expected to raise gift dollar amounts as established annually in collaboration with AP-ECE and University Development and Alumni Relations, at a minimum of $5M annually.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is June 19, 2026. For full consideration, please submit application materials by July 10, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a portfolio of approximately 40-60 prospects with the capacity to give $5 million or greater, and collaborate with colleagues to advance with a particular focus of those who may give $10 million+.
• Qualify major gift prospects and solicit gifts directly.
• Ensure that predetermined fundraising goals are met and raise at least $5M annually through individual and collaborative fundraising once the portfolio is established.
• Build effective relationships across and beyond campus.
• Serve as an expert development professional in the area of philanthropy and principal gifts, leading strategies that include highly complex gift discussions and interaction with donors capable of making significant contributions to the university.
• Lead proactive collaborative efforts to develop effective and coordinated strategies for prospects shared by more than one academic unit; facilitate action plans and monitor implementation of strategies.
• Create and execute events and activities for cultivation, stewardship, and solicitations to advance gift conversations.
• Drive and manage strategic, consistent, personalized engagement with donors, including meaningful interaction with academic leaders, faculty, and lead campus supporters and volunteers.
• Prepare and present formal fundraising proposals to major and principal gift donors and prospects; or prepare senior campus leaders to present proposals.
• Ensure that proposals are well crafted, drawing on support from in-house communications team and gaining sign-off from relevant academic leaders.
• Ensure that gifts are well-stewarded, drawing on campus partners for appropriate, timely, and consistent recognition, and ensure that all appropriate reporting and documentation is undertaken.
• Collaborate and partner with the AP-ECE as well as the VCRO, the Rausser College of Natural Resources, College of Engineering, College of Chemistry, the College of Letters & Science, Organized Research Units as well as other stakeholders to ensure forward momentum with this university-wide priority.
• Establish annual fundraising goals and priorities and ensure effective strategy, implementation, and reporting of development activities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on prospect strategies and collaborations with faculty.

Required Qualifications

• Substantial years (usually 8+) of high-level performance in principal and major gift fundraising.
• Expert knowledge of all aspects of fundraising strategies, structuring complex gifts, donor relations, and advancement communications.
• Successful track record in building strong professional relationships with major philanthropists, academic leaders, collaborating development professionals, and other key stakeholders (for ex: faculty and staff).
• Relevant field experience, project/program management skills, organization, communication and interpersonal skills as well as strong writing skills.
• Advanced knowledge of fundraising in a campaign at an organization with relevant content; demonstrated interest and passion for contributing to access and justice relating to energy, climate, and/or environment.
• Expert level skills in maintaining confidentiality.
• 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 $182,800 - $235,000. The full salary range for this job classification is $124,700 - $240,900.