| Job Description: |
The Executive Director of Advancement will be responsible for leading fundraising efforts for a variety of Family & Campus Development units including Parent & Family Programs and the Leadership Annual Giving Program. Reporting to the Senior Assistant Vice President of Development, the Executive Director will lead, facilitate, and work synergistically in specific priority areas of the University and UF Advancement. The incumbent will ensure conformity with the central fundraising efforts and the overall university advancement goals, while promoting a culture of philanthropy by broadening constituents’ understanding of the value of giving and providing targeted engagement opportunities.
Additionally, the Executive Director will oversee the advancement offices in the Division of Student Life and the Division of Enrollment Management.
Portfolio Management
- Build and manage a portfolio of major and leadership gift prospects/donors for the identification, cultivation, solicitation where gifts are assessed at $100,000 and above; strategically manage 80 face-to-face visits per year to bring gift solicitations to closure.
- Identify, cultivate, solicit and maintain major, leadership and principal gift prospects.
- Maintain a portfolio of fundraising prospects for the cultivation of major gifts. Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors.
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan to inform constituents and identified markets about the mission, vision, and values as it pertains to Family & Campus Development, its funding priorities, and gift opportunities.
- Develop and present major gift proposals to acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and appropriate to the mission, vision, and values.
- Work to broaden the University’s donor base and build new donor/parent pipelines. Refer qualified prospects to units, when appropriate. Create innovative and creative outreach strategy to identify, cultivate, and solicit current freshman and sophomore parents for gifts at $100,000 and above.
- Work with central development office to set objectives and goals for the solicitation of donor parent/family prospects.
- Collaborate with other development officers and unit leads to generate multi-unit proposals and solicitations.
- Work closely with the Office of Estate & Gift Planning to make blended cash and estate plan solicitations.
- Work with the Strategic Communications, Marketing & Engagement team to coordinate solicitation communications to key constituencies. Contribute to the production of publications and electronic communications.
Program Support
- Serve as the team lead to set vision, establish annual performance goals and objectives for the Family & Campus Development, Division of Enrollment Management, and the Division of Student Life teams.
- Lead strategic planning efforts, maintain team accountability on performance goals, and represent the team at senior-level meetings to ensure annual goals are achieved related to fundraising and stewardship.
- Prepare presentations with vision, data, and results to Advancement and University leadership as requested.
- Provide leadership to the Parent & Family Giving Program, including the Gator Family Giving Council.
- Provide leadership to the Leadership Annual Giving Officer Program, to train the next generation of fundraisers at UF and cultivate UF’s donor pipeline.
- Work closely with University and UF Advancement leadership to develop priorities for all fundraising campaigns while ensuring alignment with priorities and fundraising efforts.
- Coordinate high-level stewardship activities such as the President’s tailgates and football suite attendance.
- Represent Family & Campus Development and Central Advancement, when requested, at events on and off-campus.
- Foster and maintain partnerships with Central Advancement teams such as Annual Giving, Donor Relations, and the UF Alumni Association for donor pipeline and engagement.
Manage High-Performing Teams
- Lead high performing teams to cultivate $1+ million gift strategies; provide leadership, counsel and assistance to the assigned colleges/units on matters relating to fundraising, accountability and staffing. Work with direct reports on strategic planning efforts to establish college/unit and individual performance goals and associated metrics.
- Directly oversee the) two major gift fundraisers associated with the Division of Student Life and Division of Enrollment Management.
- Directly supervise the Director of Parent and Family Giving and the Senior Director of Administration for the Leadership Annual Giving Team. Also, directly supervise one administrative support team member.
- Evaluate staff, develop a strong sense of teamwork, and establish an environment of mentoring and support.
- Coach the team and bring cohesion to the departments, including Family & Campus Development as well as the Divisions of Student Life and Enrollment Management.
- Effectively manage staff using talent management best practices in alignment with UF Advancement’s Vision and Values.
- 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 donor database.
- Provide strategic direction to the leadership councils and collaborate with other workgroups that support campaign and strategic planning efforts.
- Build collaborative, productive relationships with deans and unit directors to enhance strategic fundraising opportunities.
- Research industry standards, trends, breakthroughs and best practices. Implement changes accordingly to maintain competitiveness among peers and to meet goals and objectives as determined by strategic plan and goals.
- Develop support for the programs by effectively involving stakeholders, such as volunteers, faculty, staff, and members of the advisory board, in efforts supporting the fundraising goals of each unit.
- Plan and monitor the budget, using resources for best results in fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty, and administration.
- Evaluate and analyze programs using established attributes and metrics to produce accurate reports, to guide effective decision making and to achieve the vision, mission, and values of UF Advancement.
University of Florida
At the University of Florida, we are feeding communities, healing coastlines, exploring space, curing diseases, powering cities, building industries, and imagining wonders. As the state’s most comprehensive university, UF is a land, sea, and space grant institution with ties to every Florida county, a top academic medical center, and much more. The ideas born here gather steam and make tangible impacts. Florida is among the nation’s leaders in technology transfer, turning discoveries into companies, products, and jobs. Come join us—let’s see where we can go together.
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida is a vibrant, welcoming city known for its natural beauty, rich culture, and strong sense of community. As home to the University of Florida and UF Health, it is a hub for education, healthcare, and innovation. With award-winning parks, a thriving arts scene, and a variety of dining and entertainment options, Gainesville offers something for everyone.
Ranked the #1 city to move to in Florida by USA Today in 2024, Gainesville combines small-town charm with big-city amenities—making it a great place to live, work, and thrive. Visit the city’s website for community information.
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| Preferred: |
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Five to seven years of major/leadership gift or related fundraising experience with documented success in cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above from individual, foundation and corporate prospects; including campaign experience.
- Prior experience in 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.
- Passion and a deep appreciation for initiatives supporting students.
- Exceptional judgment, strong initiative, and a quick learner with ability to think strategically and analytically and the organizational skills to move from vision to action.
- Highly motivated and efficient operator with the ability to manage a significant volume of tasks, activities and projects, including both tactical and strategic projects with attention to detail.
- The ability to develop and implement constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers and capacity to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of individuals.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities.
- The highest standards of ethics, integrity, respect and humility; willingness to support the University’s commitment to creating a respectful and collaborative work environment that values integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect in all interactions.
- Proficient in the following areas: Windows operating systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, as well as internet browsers and email platforms. Experience in a data-driven environment with familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems is also highly preferred.
- The ability and willingness to travel. A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.*
*Business expenses are reimbursed through a standard accounting system. The ability to pay expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential.
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