Research Development Associate Jobs in Berkeley, CA

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 make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.
As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.
We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles , Principles of Community , and Strategic Plan .
At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.
Departmental Overview
The College of Engineering at UC Berkeley is recognized for its educational and research excellence, consistently ranking among the top three Engineering colleges in the United States. With more than 247 regular faculty members, 2,421 graduate students and 4,320 undergraduate students located in seven academic departments, Engineering is the second largest college on the Berkeley Campus.
The College Relations Department supports the College's core projects and programs through marketing, communications, and private fundraising efforts designed to reach over 60,000 alumni, friends, students, foundations, and corporate partners. During the Light the Way campaign the College of Engineering received $900 million in private gifts and is consistently among the top fundraising units within the university.
The Development Associate supports the College's high-impact fundraising program and contributes to the team's high-level fundraising priorities. The position reports to the Director of Donor Relations and Campaign Operations (DRCO). Responsibilities include assisting in developing materials for the College's leadership and major benefactors, organizing related programs and projects, communicating donor impact and fund utilization on a regular schedule.
Application Review Date
The First Review Date for this job is: July 2, 2026 - Open Until Filled
Responsibilities
Donor Relations and Major and Leadership Annual Gifts Support:

• As a key member of the DRCO team, assist in the development of high-level proposals, presentations, site visits, board meetings, and other special events to meet key fundraising objectives.
• Develop and design materials in collaboration with fundraisers and stewardship colleagues, including proposals, agendas, briefings, background information, slide deck presentations, and tailored correspondence for major donors and prospects.
• Support stewardship efforts through coordinating thank you notes, donor follow-ups, event invitations, and assisting in tailored, in-house donor mailings.
• Assist in preparation for donor meetings, including preparing briefing materials and ensuring all logistics are in place.
• Provide support for the Executive Director of Development in their portfolio management and associated communications as requested.
• Devise and recommend a new program of activities to serve a targeted donor population.

Project Management & Administrative Operations:

• Partners with DRCO team to implement and administer fundraising projects, programs, and events in support of the College's Development Program, often with college and campus partners.
• Provide project management assistance for development campaigns, including coordinating timelines, tracking deliverables, and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Participate in short- and long-range planning, coordinating fundraising processes and tracking for the team.
• Organize and maintain digital filing systems; ensuring transparency and access to key documents for the frontline fundraising team.
• Complete expense reports, reimbursements, subscriptions, and vendor payments in a timely and accurate manner.
• Assess office procedures and practices, recommend enhancements for efficiency and effectiveness, and manage implementation.

Research; Data Analysis:

• Work with the Development team to identify needs for complex data, refine and articulate those needs, and work with Prospect Management and in-house data team to design and deliver effective reports.
• Provide reports on fundraising goals (tracking gifts to solicit and close, year-to-date totals, etc) as requested; provides analysis of data.
• Ensure that recorded donor data and designations are accurate and complete.
• Conduct or obtain research on individuals and companies to support proposal development or meeting briefings.
• Research and analyze metrics to illustrate fundraising-program trends, impact of activities, and results.
• Assist in tracking and managing donor data in the CRM system, ensuring accurate and timely data entry.

Event Planning; Execution:

• Assist with special events, including luncheons, dinners, small receptions, and high-level board meetings, in collaboration with the Donor Relations and Campaign Operations teams.
• Provide on-site event support as needed, ensuring smooth execution of events involving major donors.
• Attend major events to assist in their execution, involving direct interaction with alumni, volunteers, and donors.

Office Planning; Team Coordination:

• In consultation with the Director of Donor Relations and Campaign Operations, manages office wide projects and keeps initiatives on track.
• Works with Development team leaders to develop agenda for weekly meetings with Development Team including the Executive Director of Development, Director of DRCO, and individual meetings with Development Team members. Attend selected meetings and assist with follow-up.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Working knowledge of fundraising, donor relations, and public relations concepts, principles, procedures, and techniques.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, including political acumen, to build and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels and with outside constituencies.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, including skill in creative and effective decision-making and problem identification/avoidance/resolution.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with precision and in a confidential manner.
• Highly detail oriented with a critical degree of accuracy.
• Outstanding customer service ethic for working with campus donors.
• Working knowledge of computer and database systems, to facilitate research, extract meaningful data for program analysis, and prepare documents and presentation materials.
• Thorough project-management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the campus, including its vision, mission, goals, objectives, achievements, programs, faculty activities, and infrastructure.
• In-Design and Adobe suite experience highly preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of Canva, Asana or similar project management software, and GoogleWorkspace.

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 salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $35.78 to $49.71 hourly; the full pay range for this title (FUNDRAISER 2 NEX) is $35.78 to $63.65 hourly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Non-exempt and paid biweekly.
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.