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