Job Description

The USF Foundation connects the University with donors who want to make a difference by providing private, philanthropic support to promote student success, academic initiatives, research and other strategic priorities of the University of South Florida. With an endowment that now exceeds $700 million in value, our dedicated team of approximately 210 professionals, including 60 fundraisers, encompasses alumni, development and foundation operations. The team is responsible for raising more than $165 million annually and has broken records year after year with more than $184 million raised in fiscal year 2025.

The Muma College of Business supports nearly 9,000 students across the USF System and boasts a powerful network of over 72,000 alumni. Holding dual accreditation in business and accounting from AACSB International - a distinction earned by fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide, the College is proud to house 7 schools and 11 named centers and programs.

Reporting to the Vice President for Development, Colleges and Units, the Senior Director of Development serves as the Chief Development Officer for the Muma College of Business, providing strategic leadership and oversight of a comprehensive advancement program. This position is responsible for developing and executing a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the College's priorities and the University of South Florida's institutional goals. The Senior Director plays a leadership role in driving transformational philanthropy, by establishing and managing prospect and donor relationships through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Employees across USF Advancement's highly collaborative departments live out the values of responsibility, innovation, service, and excellence. We use trusted data and ethical AI to enhance decision-making, strengthen engagement, and enable our teams to focus on what matters most: relationships and impact.

Responsibilities

Fundraising

• Build and manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects, with an emphasis on major and principal gifts ($100,000+, with a strategic focus on $250,000+ and above), including complex and multi-year commitments.
• Serve as the philanthropic advisor to the dean and help to facilitate key relationships in pursuit of impactful gifts to the college.
• Utilize trusted data, analytics, and approved AI-enabled tools while adhering to university policies and ethical standards.

Collaboration

• Intentionally build and invest in developing strong relationships with the Muma College of Business leaders and faculty to promote a culture of philanthropy.
• Identify and facilitate opportunities for university leaders and colleagues to support the cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors.
• Develop strong relationships with Advancement leadership, staff and departments to leverage the tools and resources available to ensure prospects and donors have a meaningful experience with USF.
• Work collaboratively with colleges/schools/units/regional campus and central advancement offices, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Alumni Association, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, Regional Major Giving, and Gift Planning.

Program and Staff Leadership

• Lead the strategic planning, goal setting, implementation, and overall management of the Muma College of Business's comprehensive advancement program.
• Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy in partnership with the Dean and Advancement leadership, establishing clear priorities, performance metrics, and goals aligned with College and University objectives.
• Serve as the senior philanthropic advisor to the Dean, providing strategic counsel on donor engagement, philanthropic positioning, and external relationship management. Supervise and mentor assigned development and support staff, including conducting regular meetings, tracking progress toward goals, providing performance feedback, and supporting professional growth and development.
• Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, Regional Major Giving, Gift Planning, and Alumni Relations, to advance priority initiatives and complex gift opportunities. Engage with and support volunteer leadership and advisory councils to strengthen philanthropic advocacy and external engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This position requires Bachelor's degree and 7 years of experience related to development or other appropriate professional experience.