Associate Director of Annual Giving & Donor Relations

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

1d • $68,000 - $72,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Annual Giving & Donor Relations is responsible for managing and executing annual giving initiatives, developing strategies to grow donor participation and revenue, and overseeing fundraising campaigns. This role also involves managing a comprehensive donor relations program and stewardship plan for major donors and alumni, administering a recognition program, and coordinating scholarship awards and stewardship. The position requires maintaining donor lists, ensuring scholarships are awarded according to criteria, and coordinating stewardship for scholarship donors. Periodic evening and weekend work may be required.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of appropriate experience in donor relations or related field; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience in donor relations or related field.
• A Valid Florida driver's license is required.
• Ability to pay for expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to work collaboratively and as part of a team.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Support the University’s commitment to creating a respectful and collaborative work environment that values integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect in all interactions.
• Proficiency and willingness to continue learning with regards to AI, emerging technology solutions, and familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems is also highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute annual giving initiatives while developing and implementing long-term strategies to grow donor participation and annual fund revenue.
• Oversee direct mail, digital, and web-based fundraising campaigns.
• Effectively move annual donors through the solicitation pipeline, working with central annual giving, digital fundraising, and major gift teams.
• Serve as the COE liaison to central’s Annual Giving team and work with the Leadership Annual Giving Liaison.
• Participate in goal setting with central advancement annual giving and fundraising teams.
• Draft communications for direct mail appeals, personalized letters, fundraising brochures, proposals, and tailored pledge forms.
• Research and stay current on trends in higher education advancement, annual giving, and philanthropy.
• Suggest new initiatives and/or improvements in annual giving outcomes.
• Serve as the COE liaison to all UF Giving Day activities and serve as the team lead on execution of COE giving day strategies.
• Manage the Dean’s Leadership Circle campaign.
• Prepare reports and presentations on annual giving trends.
• Manage and execute a comprehensive and integrated donor relations program and stewardship plan for major donors and alumni.
• Assist Executive Director and Associate Director of Development with individual stewardship plans.
• Administer a comprehensive recognition program, including the Dean’s Leadership Circle donors.
• Evaluate weekly giving reports to determine the need for gift acknowledgements and custom acknowledgements.
• Review the weekly giving report to uncover unmanaged prospects with $1000 or more in unsolicited giving for possible gift officer outreach and referral.
• Serve as the liaison between COE and the central Donor Relations team.
• Manage the Annual Endowment Reporting process.
• Regularly review COE prospects in a permanent stewardship portfolio and share timely college news with those prospects.
• Leverage recognition tools like Thankview as well as project management tools effectively.
• Serve as the team lead on Grateful Gator Day events with the central Donor Relations team and create ways to steward COE donors on that day.
• Coordinate VIP donor visits/tours to the college.
• Work collaboratively with the Development Coordinator to review and produce personalized milestone birthday and anniversary recognition pieces.
• Maintain the list of philanthropy-funded scholarships and donors.
• Work with the EduGator Team and COE Business Office to ensure all scholarships are awarded and follow donor criteria.
• Ensure scholarship donors are invited to participate in the Scholarship and Awards Banquet and follow up with them.
• Coordinate timely and intentional stewardship for scholarship donors.
• Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishment of the responsibilities and functions related to this position.

Benefits

• Business expenses are reimbursed through a standard accounting system.

What This Job Offers

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