Founded in 1855 as San Francisco’s first university, the University of San Francisco (USF) is a Jesuit institution grounded in intellectual rigor, social justice, and care for the whole person. One of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, USF enrolls students from 50 states and 111 countries and counts more than 117,000 alumni across 139 countries. Its 55-acre hilltop campus, located between Golden Gate Park and the Golden Gate Bridge, places students in direct proximity to one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities.
Guided by its USF Strategic Plan 2027, the University is advancing academic excellence and innovation while deepening its commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. Through initiatives such as the Horizon Collective and strong programs across arts and sciences, business, law, education, and nursing and health professions, USF prepares graduates to thrive in a pluralistic and rapidly changing world. The institution’s distinct combination of Jesuit mission and urban engagement creates a powerful platform for impact, locally and globally.
The Opportunity
The Vice President for Advancement will join USF at a pivotal moment. The University is building the foundation for its next comprehensive campaign, the largest in the institution’s history. Alumni engagement and donor retention are strong and trending upward, positioning the institution for sustained philanthropic growth.
Reporting directly to the President and serving on the President’s Cabinet, the Vice President is the University’s chief strategist for philanthropy, alumni engagement, and external partnerships. This leader will shape USF’s future, while fostering a culture of philanthropy across campus. The role encompasses oversight of a staff of roughly 80 across alumni engagement, annual giving, major and planned gifts, corporate and foundation relations, athletics, development communications, stewardship, prospect management, and special initiatives.
The Vice President will chair the Campaign Committee, manage a personal portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, staff the Board of Trustees and its key committees, and partner with University leadership to identify and articulate compelling philanthropic priorities. Success will require strategic clarity, operational discipline, and the ability to engage trustees, faculty, alumni, donors, and community partners in a shared vision rooted in Jesuit values.
The salary range for this position is $350,000 to $400,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
