Development Associate

Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department:

Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of the University of Georgia’s learning environment, advancing new knowledge, research, scholarship and creative output by faculty, students, and staff in more than 80-degree programs across 40+ units.

College/Unit/Department website: https://art.uga.edu/

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position. The work schedule will be determined upon hire, with a standard schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work during evenings and weekends may be required as needed.

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Posting Date: 10/09/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 12/01/2026

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement:

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement:

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Annual Giving Officer I

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent

Position Summary:

This position leads annual giving and donor engagement efforts for the Lamar Dodd School of Art, developing and executing segmented appeals and targeted strategies for alumni and other constituent groups. The role manages a portfolio of annual giving donors; partners with Franklin College and central UGA Foundation colleagues to advance annual fund efforts and identify major and planned giving prospects; and supports gift processing and alumni engagement. This position also coordinates key donor stewardship processes, including acknowledgments, scholarship communications, and impact reporting in addition to supporting development-related events.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Self-starter, takes initiative, and can work independently as well as in a team environment
• Exemplary communications skills (both written and verbal)
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple, complex projects simultaneously
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Organizational skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn new things
• Effective communication and customer service skills with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Word, Excel, database management, and email skills
• Communicates and employs interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct

Additional Division Expectations:

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands:

• Work in a standard office environment
• Travel in and out of state, if necessary
• Work nights and weekends as necessary
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Lift and/or move up to 10 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: Yes

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: Yes

Does this position require a P-Card? : No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? : No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): No

Credit and P-Card policy:

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy:

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, this role implements and analyzes multi-channel annual giving efforts to generate charitable support for the LDSOA through segmented and targeted appeals.
• Serves as a primary development contact for LDSOA leadership, building and maintaining strong working relationships and regular communication regarding school priorities, fundraising opportunities, and development activity.
• Serves as the LDSOA liaison for annual giving, communicating key fundraising priorities and initiatives to Franklin development and the broader DAR community.
• Manages an assigned portfolio of donors and prospects, building relationships to increase philanthropic engagement and identifying and referring individuals with major or planned giving potential to appropriate members of the Franklin development team.
• Processes donations, ensuring adherence to UGA and UGA Foundation policies.
• Utilizes GAIL to maintain accurate constituent, prospect, and fundraising information.

Percentage of time: 40

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Facilitates Lamar Dodd School of Art development-related events, serving as the development point person and collaborating with colleagues from LDSOA, or the Franklin development team as needed. Events may occasionally occur off-site, during evenings or weekends, or out of state.
• Provides development support for the LDSOA Board of Visitors. Support may include meeting and event logistics, communication, engagement activities, and fundraising-related follow-up in partnership with school leadership and Franklin development colleagues.
• Utilizes GAIL/Blackbaud CRM Events Management software to coordinate invitations, RSVPs, attendance, and other event-related constituent activity.
• Partners with LDSOA Communications to coordinate donor-facing communications related to development events, engagement opportunities, fundraising initiatives, and school priorities using DAR-approved tools and channels.
• Builds relationships with LDSOA alumni, parents, patrons, and other constituents and helps connect them with opportunities to engage with and support the school.

Percentage of time: 30

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Coordinates memorable and meaningful stewardship experiences for LDSOA endowment donors, serving as the development point person for Gratitude Reports and Professorship Reports in partnership with central Donor Engagement and Stewardship colleagues.
• Executes LDSOA stewardship procedures, including weekly gift acknowledgments, student thank-you notes, acknowledgment correspondence for school leadership and faculty, and other activities defined by the stewardship matrix.
• Coordinates development-related scholarship and award activities, including collection of recipient and impact information and donor-facing communications, in partnership with appropriate school and DAR colleagues. Facilitates additional stewardship activities and impact reporting in collaboration with Franklin’s Director of Donor Relations and Stewardship. Maintains accurate stewardship records and ensures appropriate activity is documented in GAIL.

Percentage of time: 20

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides project coordination support for assigned LDSOA development initiatives and special projects, tracking timelines and deliverables and coordinating with appropriate school, Franklin, and DAR partners.
• Maintains accurate and timely records by entering detailed contact reports following prospect and donor interactions and updating constituent information in GAIL.
• Identifies opportunities to capture and appropriately utilize relevant alumni, parent, patron, and constituent information to broaden LDSOA’s development and engagement audiences.
• Actively participates in Franklin College team meetings, events, and presentations and central DAR activities such as town halls, development meetings, Dawg Day of Giving, Dawg Day of Gratitude, and other division-wide initiatives.

Percentage of time: 10

Contact Details:

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name: Shirley Allen

Recruitment Contact Email: shallen@uga.edu