Director of Development

Position Summary:

The Director of Development provides strategic leadership for development and alumni operations, frontline fundraising, and division-wide engagement and collaboration within the College of Environment and Design (CED). This role combines active major gift fundraising with team leadership and cross-campus partnership to advance CED’s mission and philanthropic impact. The Director works to align fundraising strategies with institutional priorities, strengthen relationships across units, and foster a collaborative, results-driven culture.In partnership with the University Development Office, the Director of Development is responsible for achieving key performance objectives, including annual visits, gift proposals, unit fundraising goals, and personal fundraising goals. These metrics are established collaboratively and tailored to the needs of the College. The Director is also expected to actively participate in monthly development meetings and regular strategy sessions to ensure alignment, accountability, and continued progress toward fundraising success.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

• Progressively responsible fundraising or related leadership experience, including work across core development functions and frontline fundraising (discovery, solicitation, and stewardship).
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic, comprehensive fundraising plans; experience working with senior administration and engaging diverse constituents and volunteer groups.
• Strong supervisory, organizational, and time‑management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks under competing deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including active listening and the ability to deliver clear, consistent, and compelling messages.
• Ability to build trust and collaborative working relationships; experience motivating and supporting high‑level volunteers and fostering an effective development network.
• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, attention to detail, and sound judgment.
• Self‑starter who takes initiative and works effectively both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel).
• Commitment to outstanding customer service and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of personality types.
• Consistently models high standards of professionalism, integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 8 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree preferred or bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years of related higher education experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience related to sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management with a proven ability to cultivate and solicit major gifts.
• Previous work experience in higher education and in a hybrid centralized-decentralized fundraising model involving colleges/schools.
• Demonstrated experience developing fundraising strategies while providing leadership and direction for implementation of a comprehensive development plan.
• Leadership in a major capital campaign.
• Management experience.
• Knowledge and experience using Blackbaud CRM system. Exhibits behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the University of Georgia.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Leadership for Development and Alumni Operations

• Direct fundraising efforts (principal, leadership, major, annual, and planned giving) and provide overall leadership to all development and alumni relations functions.
• Partner with the dean to design and implement fundraising strategies that meet annual targets and advance long-term college priorities.
• Develop a coordinated fundraising strategy with clear priorities, plans, and guidance to achieve measurable results and strong stewardship outcomes.
• Partner with the dean to engage the college’s advisory board in advancing philanthropic support, including oversight of nominations and succession planning.
• Lead and manage a staff member, providing strategic direction, coaching, and accountability for performance.

Percentage of time: 30

Frontline Fundraising

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 35+ of the college’s highest-impact major and principal gift prospects, meeting annually established goals for fundraising, face-to-face visits, solicitations, and gifts closed.
• Move prospective donors through the stages of the development cycle (qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship), demonstrating leadership in effective, donor-centered fundraising and portfolio management strategies.
• Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fundraising materials for potential donors, and communicate with prospective donors through the strategic use of a variety of methods.
• Record prospective donor meetings, interactions, and plans in the giving and alumni database (GAIL) in a thorough and timely manner and demonstrate leadership to the team in doing so effectively.
• Collaborate with University fundraisers on shared prospects, providing expertise on fundraising priorities and integrating the college’s interests into an overall prospect strategy that is donor- and University-centered.

Percentage of time: 40

Division Engagement & Collaboration

• Serve as the primary liaison between the College of Environment and Design (CED) and the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), ensuring alignment with UGA and CED policies, priorities, and procedures.
• Actively participate in division meetings, strategy sessions, and training to stay aligned with DAR priorities and contribute to a unified, collaborative approach across the institution.
• Partner with colleagues across DAR—including UGA Foundation, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Gift and Estate Planning, Annual Giving, Principal Giving, and Regional Development—to advance fundraising opportunities and strengthen collaboration across campus.

Percentage of time: 30