Chief Development Officer, College of Computing, Data Science, and Society

The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) seeks an experienced, collaborative, and entrepreneurial fundraising professional to serve as the next Chief Development Officer (CDO) of the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS), a college that stands at the cutting edge of education and research. CDSS is unique for the scale and scope of its data science programs, and for its vision of integrating computing and data with societal issues and real-world impact. At its core, CDSS exemplifies UC Berkeley’s broader mission: using knowledge to serve the public good and build a more just, informed, and connected society. 

As a critical member of Dean Jennifer Chayes’ executive team, the CDO will lead and scale the development program for CDSS, partnering closely with Dean Chayes and University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) colleagues to identify philanthropic priorities; develop fundraising strategy; and secure significant philanthropic investments, including those interdisciplinary in nature. The CDO will build upon the campus’s remarkable momentum and philanthropic success, including the recently concluded Light the Way: The Campaign for Berkeley, which raised more than $7.37 billion, the largest total in history for any public university and for any university without a medical school, and the announcement of Julie Lucas as UC Berkeley’s incoming vice chancellor for UDAR.

Reporting directly to the Dean of CDSS, and with a dotted line to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Constituent Programs within UDAR, the CDO will establish strategy and foundational infrastructure to secure significant and sustainable philanthropic investments to CDSS. The CDO will assess current operations, systems, and processes, and set a bold vision for advancement that further elevates giving at all levels. 

The successful candidate will bring a broad institutional perspective to the role, and, through open and proactive channels of communication across CDSS and campus, will forge strong partnerships in UDAR and among UC Berkeley’s colleges and schools to leverage philanthropic engagement opportunities, particularly those at the principal and transformational gift levels, to the benefit of both CDSS and the university. In addition to leading a small but growing team, the CDO will collaborate with the dean, department/unit heads, and faculty members to articulate the funding priorities and aspirations of the college to potential individual and institutional donors, as well as key colleagues within UDAR. The CDO will travel to visit prospects, often in tandem with the dean and other key partners, and work proactively to bring prospective donors to campus for substantive visits and engagement opportunities. Serving as Dr. Chayes’ chief strategist on all fundraising matters, the CDO will be an active partner with the dean and other constituents in generating and evaluating the fundability of new ideas, effectively operationalizing those most promising. 

With at least ten years of successful experience in development and fundraising programs, preferably within higher education, the CDO must possess knowledge of principles and best practices of fundraising for a comprehensive research university, including the ability to direct and enhance a comprehensive fundraising program for a school or unit of similar complexity. The ideal candidate will possess the credibility, maturity, and sophistication to effectively engage with senior leaders and diverse groups of internal and external constituents, including an advisory board and leadership volunteers. The CDO must have a proven track record of success in personally cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gifts from individual and institutional donors, as well as a high level of comfort and effectiveness in working with high-net-worth individuals and organizational leaders. Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, political savvy, flexibility, and cultural agility to navigate a complex academic environment will be essential to success. Furthermore, the CDO must be driven, aspirational, and collaborative, with the desire to grow and develop a best-practice advancement program. In addition to leading fundraising efforts, the successful candidate will be responsible for formalizing and building the development team. As such, CDSS seeks someone with a strong track record of fostering a collaborative team environment and intentionally shaping a positive and inclusive team culture. The candidate must also demonstrate a deep appreciation for, and an ability to articulate, the educational and research mission and aspirations of UC Berkeley and CDSS. 

Rachel Ellenport is leading this search with Nicole Poe and Megan Gorman. 

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.