Development Associate

About Berkeley

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 makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world. At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and providing space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence. Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

Departmental Overview

The Development Associate reports to the Chief Development Officer and plays a critical role in increasing individual donor support. The Development Associate is responsible for a wide variety of prospect donor research and fundraising activities that increase the gift pipeline. Key areas of emphasis include identifying, profiling, and qualifying prospects, estimating financial capacity and organizational affinity, and pinpointing institutional linkages and funding interests. Additional responsibilities include supporting the Development Team and Board committees as assigned in activities such as report generation, donor relations, events, and general administrative duties.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: November 27, 2026

Responsibilities

• Assist the Chief Development Officer, Associate Directors of Development, and other portfolio carrying staff in moves management, data, donor engagement, scheduling, and other duties.
• As assigned, manage donor stewardship including escorting sponsors back-stage, greeting at receptions, acknowledgment letters, stewardship events support, communications and calendar.
• As appropriate, collaborate with and support the Chief Development Officer, Associate Directors of Development, and other donor-facing staff who determine individualized fundraising strategies.
• Compose and prepare fundraising proposals for donors as needed.
• Manage Patron Sponsor solicitations and benefits such as comp tickets, meet and greets, thank you gifts including photos, signed programs, awards, etc.
• Manage and maintain accurate donor recognition, including but not limited to program book credits, maintaining the funder credit grid, and website donor credits.
• Support events tailored to the cultivation and stewardship of prospects, trustees, and donors while being grounded in the organization’s fundraising priorities for the season such as gala, pre- or post-dinners, cultivation events, intermission receptions, Home Concerts, and Trustee events. Partner with other staff to follow up after fundraising events and finalize gift fulfilment.
• Support budget team managers by processing for vendor purchase order requests, invoices, entertainment forms, reimbursements, and as departmental lead to coordinate with finance team.
• Collaborate to manage department comp ticket and parking allocation and distribution for all performances in coordination with the ticket office in a timely and accurate manner.
• Serve as a liaison, among other development staff, to operations by attending operations meetings when needed and effectively communicating donor event logistics, needs, and details. Problem-solve operational needs such as large backstage visits. Ensure timely and accurate entry of event details into database resources.
• Provide technical assistance and support for board and other meetings as needed.
• Act as departmental liaison to follow gift processing practices and procedures and ensure, in collaboration with other staff, accurate records and recording of gifts.
• Collaborate effectively with departmental staff to create slide materials and presentations for digital and print presentation.
• Act as proofer for routed copy used in external communications.
• Create templates for email communications for events and annual campaigns in coordination with staff leading these efforts.
• Maintain and manage specialized email accounts including the incoming donor inquiries inbox and events inbox, effectively communicating with other staff to ensure a seamless and appropriate stream of timely communications in response to questions, requests, and RSVPs.
• In collaboration with designated UDAR prospect development staff, serve as department specialist in prospect research needs. This includes utilizing wealth screening tools, identifying prospective supporters from ticket population, UCB alumni and affiliates, and through on- and off-line media with capacity and interest in programmatic support areas.
• Write confidential prospect profiles and briefings to prepare fundraisers and staff for visits, events, and solicitations.
• Provide weekly reports to fundraisers on prospect movement, reflecting and tracking fundraising progress and strategies.
• Ensure that portfolios are current in CADS and Tessitura, enter gifts, contact reports, and provide moves management updates.
• Maintain and develop administrative support systems, including thorough documentation of procedures, solicitation, acknowledgment, and stewardship materials.
• Support board committees in their efforts as assigned, including updating board handbook, attending committee meetings, preparing and distributing meeting minutes and materials in advance of meetings, and responding to board needs for development support.

Required Qualifications

• 2-3 years of experience in development.
• Working knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques. Knowledge and experience in the principles, practices, and trends of fundraising.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Experience with event management/coordination.
• Ability to exercise flexibility, initiative, good judgment, and discretion. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and experience in building productive relationships with donors and volunteers.
• Excellent problem-solving skills; must be detail-oriented and able to work effectively with personnel within and outside the department.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to set and coordinate priorities and manage multiple projects to meet internal and external competing deadlines; ability to work under pressure. Flexibility to meet changing needs and priorities.
• Excellent computer skills and facility with MS Office, including Microsoft Word and Excel, and Google’s suite. Ability to learn new software programs as required.
• Passion for the performing arts.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as required.
• Ability to successfully pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 years of experience with Tessitura, gift acknowledgment, and reporting. Campus Alumni and Donor System (CADS) experience is also very helpful.
• Experience with Adobe Design Suite.

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 hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $36.88 - $49.00

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

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 Disclosure

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.