Associate Director, Development

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

9d•$85,000

About The Position

The Associate Director of Development is responsible for developing and implementing development and alumni programs for the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment (ESSIE). The role independently identifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards mid-level gift prospects, focusing on individual prospects and working with leadership, corporate, and foundation prospects when gifts or grants are assessed at $50,000 or more. The position builds and manages a fundraising portfolio through face-to-face visits and attends college and UF Advancement functions to identify prospects and advance donor relationships in coordination with the Senior Director of Development. The position implements development and alumni activities, including alumni events, special fundraising projects, young alumni engagement and giving programs, and annual fund strategies and solicitations. It supports the ESSIE Advisory Board, coordinates donor and alumni stewardship, develops solicitation strategies and mid-level gift proposals, and contributes to communications that explain the unit’s mission, priorities, and gift opportunities. It also helps recruit and manage volunteers and experienced leaders for boards and committees. Administrative responsibilities include reviewing donation documentation and gift credit, coordinating donor recognition, drafting correspondence, and maintaining effective office systems and records. The role uses prospect management, research and analysis, contact reports, and the Ascend database. Related duties may be assigned as appropriate. The position is open to current UF employees only. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. A Florida driver license is required, and the ability and willingness to travel and to pay business expenses personally before reimbursement are essential.

Requirements

Master's degree in an appropriate area and one year of relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and three years of relevant experience.
Valid Florida driver license.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Valid driver's license and good driving record.
Ability to pay business expenses using personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed.
Strong relationship-building, donor stewardship, and interpersonal abilities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of people.
Ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
Problem-solving competency.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
Ability to use donor databases, CRM systems, or other contact-management and tracking systems, and to learn and adapt to new technology and systems supporting Advancement operations.

Nice To Haves

Three to five years of mid-level and/or major gift fundraising experience, with documented success cultivating and soliciting gifts of $50,000 and above from individual and corporate prospects and campaign experience.
Prior experience in a college or university setting and enthusiasm for fundraising in a comprehensive research university.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards.
Expertise in developing solicitation strategies.
Ability to work strategically and develop and implement constituency programs and activities, with talent for motivating volunteers.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement development and alumni programs.
Independently identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward mid-level gift prospects.
Focus on individual prospects and work with leadership, corporate, and foundation prospects for gifts or grants assessed at $50,000 and above.
Build a fundraising prospect portfolio and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits.
Attend college and UF Advancement functions to identify prospects and move them through the donor continuum in coordination with the Senior Director of Development.
Implement development and alumni affairs activities, including alumni events and special fundraising projects supporting the ESSIE annual fund.
Initiate and execute young alumni engagement and giving programs in ESSIE.
Coordinate annual fund strategies and solicitations through Engineering Annual Giving, including specialty fundraising initiatives such as the Pinning Campaign.
Assist the ESSIE department head with developing, managing, and executing plans, communications, and meetings for the ESSIE Advisory Board.
Coordinate alumni and donor stewardship programs for the departments.
Assist with planning and implementing short- and long-term development and alumni programs and strategies.
Assist in designing case-specific solicitation strategies in accordance with development and college office needs and procedures.
Develop and present mid-level gift proposals and acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways meaningful to donors and appropriate to the unit and UF Advancement mission.
Assist in developing and implementing a comprehensive communications plan about the unit’s mission, vision, funding priorities, and gift opportunities.
Create a structured process to identify, recruit, evaluate, recognize, and replace volunteers to strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
Help recruit experienced leadership for boards and committees so groups represent and respond to the communities served.
Review donation documentation for accuracy and ensure proper donor gift credit, acknowledgements, and related stewardship.
Work with the college development team to ensure donors are properly recognized.
Draft correspondence to donors, prospects, alumni, and corporations for the department head.
Maintain best practices in office systems, practices, files, and record keeping, and use strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, analysis, and the Ascend database.
Perform related duties as required or appropriate to the position.