Assistant Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

1d

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Development, Leadership Annual Giving, works to cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual giving prospects, manage a donor portfolio, and collaborate with campus partners to grow philanthropic support and strengthen the pipeline for future major gifts. The position offers experience in donor engagement and philanthropy while supporting students and the University of Florida.

The role manages annual giving prospects through in-person visits and gift solicitations, conducts a high volume of solicitation and qualification visits, and identifies and coordinates new prospects and donor upgrades. It also supports prospect and pipeline management with unit partners, maintains prospect records and reporting, assists with donor stewardship programs, and drafts donor and prospect correspondence. The position liaises with colleges and units on assigned projects and researches industry standards, trends, and best practices.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization, or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of relevant experience.
• Valid Florida driver’s license.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Good driving record.
• Ability to pay business expenses using personal credit card or funds and receive reimbursement.
• Evening and weekend work is required.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in a university or nonprofit environment, or in public relations, advertising, sales, or a marketing-related field.
• General knowledge of the business and economic environment and understanding of fundraising principles, methods, and standards.
• Successful experience in prospect identification, relationship building, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Ability to work independently within a broad strategic framework and institutional priorities, and collaboratively with teams and groups.
• Positive, creative approach to issues, problem-solving ability, strong analytical skills and professional judgment, project management skills, and experience in a data-driven environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and ability to engage collaboratively with a wide range of individuals.
• Commitment to a respectful, collaborative work environment that values integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect; demonstrated stakeholder collaboration, project management, organizational, leadership, influence, and motivational abilities.
• Proficiency with Windows operating systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, internet browsers, and email platforms.
• Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of annual giving prospects and strategically develop relationships through face-to-face visits and gift solicitations.
• Conduct a high volume of solicitation and qualification visits.
• Solicit, cultivate, qualify, and hand off prospects according to their interests, capacity, and propensity.
• Work proactively with unit partners on prospect and pipeline management.
• Identify new sources of individual giving and coordinate solicitations of new prospects and upgrades of current donors with Advancement fundraising staff.
• Maintain prospect tracking, records, reporting, and administration in alignment with UFA/UFF metrics and reporting.
• Work with assigned unit partners to identify, qualify, and solicit prospects in special project areas.
• Research industry standards, trends, breakthroughs, and best practices.
• Coordinate or assist with donor stewardship programs for leadership annual giving prospects.
• Create and maintain donation records to ensure donors receive appropriate recognition and gift documentation, including thank-you and stewardship communications.
• Draft correspondence to donors and prospects.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance through affordable state health plans.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid time off, including 11 paid holidays, family leave, sick leave, and vacation leave.
• Professional and personal development opportunities, including UF Training & Organization Development, leadership development, and LinkedIn Learning.
• Tuition assistance through the UF Employee Education Program.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligible employer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level