Assistant Director, Stewardship and Advancement Operations @ The USC Thornton School of Music
For more than 140 years, the USC Thornton School of Music has held a distinguished place among the nation's leading music schools, recognized for artistic excellence, rigorous training, and deep connections across the music profession. Today, Thornton is shaping a vision for the future of music education that honors this tradition while embracing innovation across genres and disciplines.
Under the leadership of Dean Jason King, Thornton is building an environment where artists become musicians who are beyond category in their excellence, rigor, and ability to think beyond boundaries. This vision calls for an Advancement enterprise that is equally ambitious, connecting donors, alumni, industry leaders, and institutions with opportunities to invest in students, faculty, programs, and the future of music.
The USC Thornton School of Music invites applications for the position of Assistant Director, Stewardship and Advancement Operations. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, this position is a key member of Thornton's Advancement team, primarily responsible for donor stewardship and the day-to-day operations that support a strong, responsive, and effective fundraising program.
This is a multidimensional, hands-on Advancement role for someone who is equally comfortable working with people, systems, and details. The successful candidate will manage stewardship activities and communications, maintain accurate donor and gift information, coordinate gift administration, produce reports and materials, and help ensure Advancement priorities move forward effectively. They will also build and steward relationships with donors and alumni through regular meetings, communications, campus engagement, and events, while participating in cultivation, annual giving, and other fundraising activities.
The ideal candidate understands that effective stewardship is both about getting the details right and making donors feel connected to the impact of their partnership with Thornton.
This role is based primarily on-site at the USC Thornton School of Music, where in-person collaboration is an important part of supporting the school's Advancement work and community. Because the position is closely connected to donor meetings, concerts, performances, and special events, evening and weekend hours will be expected throughout the year. Occasional hybrid work arrangements may be considered when feasible and in accordance with university policy and business needs. A valid driver's license is required.
Why Thornton?
Joining the USC Thornton Advancement team offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of music, higher education, philanthropy, and the creative industries. This position provides an opportunity to build meaningful donor relationships while helping ensure that the systems, communications, and stewardship practices behind those relationships are thoughtful, effective, and connected to Thornton's ambitious vision for the future of music education.
Applications must include a resume and cover letter specifically outlining how the candidate's experience and qualifications are relevant to this position. Applications submitted without a cover letter may not receive full consideration.
The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000.
When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree
Additional Education Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
Minimum Experience:
5 years
Addtional Experience Requirements
Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience
Minimum Skills:
Development research experience in higher education.
Ability to self-manage, prioritize work assignments and manage multiple deadlines.
Experience maintaining and interpreting large datasets and database systems.
Excellent planning, organizational and interpersonal skills.
Detail oriented with excellent written and oral communication skill.
Proficient in Microsoft Office.
Bachelor's degree
7 years
Donor prospect research experience in higher education.
Volunteer experience in fundraising, campaign or non-profit environments.
Experience with email marketing, website development/coding and Adobe Creative Suite.
Extensive customer service experience.
Fluent in one or more language in addition to English (e.g., Spanish).
USC 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, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.
We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.
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