The USC Shoah Foundation records, preserves, and shares survivor and witness testimonies so that all can learn from the past, reflect on the present, and build a better future. Established in 1994, the Foundation has built the largest such collection in the world — more than 61,000 testimonies of survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust, the Armenian Genocide, and other mass atrocities and genocidal crimes of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Now permanently housed at the University of Southern California, the Foundation uses this archive as the foundation for innovative programming, global-impact initiatives, and forward-thinking research designed to confront antisemitism, preserve Holocaust memory, and strengthen democratic values.

The Opportunity

The USC Shoah Foundation seeks a dynamic and experienced advancement professional to serve as Executive Director, Principal Gifts.

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for a high-performing fundraising leader with a proven track record of securing seven- and eight-figure commitments. Based at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC, this individual will work closely with the Associate Vice President for USC Shoah Foundation, University Advancement, and the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as program staff and leadership across both the DC and Los Angeles campuses.

The Executive Director, Principal Gifts will build and manage a portfolio of approximately 75 high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth donors and prospects with the capacity to make $1 million-plus commitments. Leading fundraising strategy in the Northeast and beyond, this individual will cultivate deep, long-lasting donor relationships while advancing the Foundation’s mission-driven priorities, capital projects, and endowment needs. It will be helpful for the Executive Director to understand the Jewish philanthropic community, particularly in the Northeast.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a mission-driven leader to shape the future of a globally recognized institution while expanding its philanthropic reach.

The salary range for this position is $200,000 – $225,000, with excellent USC benefits.