SR DIR, Dev Administration

Job Description

Classification Title:

SR DIR, Dev Administration

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of experience.

Job Description:

Fundraising & Portfolio Management

• Will independently perform identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects; focused on individual prospects where gift/grant is assessed at $100,000 and above.
• Manage a portfolio of fundraising prospects and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits to bring major gift solicitations to closure.
• Administer strategic plans for major gift/leadership/principal gift prospects.
• Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects that align with the needs, priorities, and research of WCB.
• Research and make independent judgments about which prospects are to be the primary targets for potential cultivation and solicitation, and devise strategies for each foundation prospect.
• Provide leadership and support to WCB development officers to derive strategies for increasing support, determining the size and appropriateness of gift requests.
• Proactively engage WCB dean, directors, faculty, and development officers to identify needs and priorities.
• Work with the faculty and department leadership and lead the solicitation effort when appropriate.

Leadership & Strategic Initiatives

• Work with Executive Director to build, manage, and lead a strong team of advancement professionals.
• Directly manage multiple development officers including coaching, goal setting, performance reviews, performance management, and development.
• Serve in a leadership role within WCB Aadvancement, helping to track progress and support all team members to ensure fundraising success of the unit.
• Identify and recruit top talent and provide leadership, counsel on matters relating to fundraising, and accountability including establishing goals in alignment with unit objectives, developing metrics and strategic planning.
• Manage staff using talent management best practices in alignment with UF Advancement's mission; ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files, and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, and analysis, and the CRM database.
• Provide support to the Executive Director of Advancement for staffing the Business Advisory Council.
• Participate in recruiting experienced leadership on boards and/or committees to ensure that these groups are representative of, and responsive to, the communities served.

Strategy & Planning

• Develop annual and individual strategic plan including goals and objectives.
• Work closely with Executive Director and WCB Leadership to develop strategy for the college's next fundraising campaign.
• In partnership with Executive Director, track and report annual and campaign progress in team meetings and as needed for College and UFA leadership.
• Plan and monitor the budget, using resources for best results in fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty, and administration.

Special Projects/Initiatives

• Responsible for fundraising for special projects.
• Effectively assist with maintaining files and records, planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, and administration.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate areas of specialization and eight years of experience.

Valid driver's license.

Preferred:

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Six to eight years of major gift fundraising experience with documented success in cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above from individual and corporate prospects with campaign experience.
• Prior management and leadership experience of highly performing fundraising teams is preferred.
• Prior fundraising experience within a college or university setting, enthusiasm for fundraising in a comprehensive research university, and the desire to work collegially within a goal-oriented fundraising organization.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards.
• Expertise in developing solicitation strategies.
• The ability to work strategically, develop and implement constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
• Competency in problem-solving.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and the capacity to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of individuals are essential.

• Support the University's commitment to creating a respectful and collaborative work environment that values integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect in all interactions; demonstrated success collaborating with stakeholders; strong project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; excellent organizational abilities; and the capacity to lead, influence, and inspire others are essential.
• Proficient in the following areas: Windows operating systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, as well as internet browsers and email platforms. Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems is also highly preferred.

UF Advancement has defined the following critical competencies for organizational and position specific success:

• Relationship Mastery - Identifies, targets and strategically builds relationships with colleagues, prospects, donors and volunteers
  • Establishes and maintains effective relationships; demonstrating genuine interest in the well-being and opinions of others and recognizing common ground with individuals from varying backgrounds
  • Anticipates conversational direction with ability to swiftly adapt and diffuse high-tension situations
  • Successfully identifies the proper timing, medium and consistency to engage stakeholders
  • Exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence in all interactions
• Donor Focus - Ability to establish, cultivate and steward prospects/ donors to build and maintain lifelong partnerships and trust on behalf of the institution
  • Consistently searches for ways to improve the donor experience centralizing all efforts and tasks around meeting their needs
  • Matches donor/prospect passions with university priorities, involving the right people and resources at the right time
  • Places prospect/ donor needs ahead of personal success
  • Utilizes resources, remains flexible and creatively suggests individualized engagement activities
• Tenacity - Ability to demonstrate the discipline and resilience necessary to successfully achieve goals and strategies
  • Identifies and seizes opportunities, setting "stretch" goals and exceeding them (always looking for the next rung on the ladder)
  • Ability to re-direct prospects from distractions and non-productive requests (in control but not seemingly in control)
  • Strong commitment to close gifts (every day is a domino)
  • Does not give up in the face of obstacles (master of "No")
• Credibility - Displays responsible, reliable and trustworthy actions
  • Acts in an ethical and authentic manner to support the mission of the university, demonstrating a "can do" spirit, sense of ownership, urgency and commitment
  • Stay current on functional and technical aspects of one's job seeking opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills
  • Promotes and establishes trust, respect and rapport utilizing diplomacy and tact
  • Fulfill commitments made to donors, colleagues and university partners
• Entrepreneurial Spirit - Ability to generate creative solutions and take risks
  • Understands current environment and possesses the ability to adapt to new opportunities and challenges
  • Generates innovative ideas, solutions and opportunities to positively impact results (doesn't order from the menu)
  • Learns from success and failure with a drive to succeed (hates to lose)
  • Accepts, embraces and leads change
• Engaging Communication - Ability to attentively listen and express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communication
  • Possesses the ability to engage and inspire
  • Successfully reads verbal and non-verbal cues adapting communication style and strategy as needed
  • Demonstrates active listening and understands the art of asking questions to skillfully obtain more complete information
  • Commands attention when speaking and presenting to individuals or groups
• Strategic Thinking - Ability to develop strategies and plans that integrate into the organization's mission, priorities and goals
  • Ability to effectively synthesize information and data to evaluate and prioritize prospects/donors in a larger context (knows their prospects)
  • Ability to document and illustrate a comprehensive engagement strategy with realistic timelines
  • Collaboratively engages colleagues and academic partners and integrates their knowledge into strategy
  • Ability to think big, and create bold and inspiring tactics
• Mission Driven - Fundamentally identifies with the core mission to create awareness, build relationships, generate support and recognize donors for the purpose of advancing the university
  • Considers national trends and best practices of advancement within higher education
  • Possesses a solid appreciation of UF history, culture and tradition
  • Understands the power of philanthropy and how to engage donors toward achieving their goals
  • Creates advocates for the university through the ability to "visualize dreams", "ask", and "close"

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting date.

This position is open to current UF employees only.

Health Assessment Required
No

Applications Close: 28 September 2026

Our Commitment:
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S. The University of Florida is a public institution and is subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.