Associate Director of Annual Giving, Outreach Programs

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

5d • $75,000

About The Position

The Associate Director of Annual Giving, Outreach Programs is responsible for designing, managing, and continuously improving the university’s approach to scaled individualized donor engagement and lead generation. This role builds sustainable philanthropic revenue and strengthens the major gift pipeline by blending human-centered outreach, data-driven strategy and emerging technologies. Reporting to the Senior Director of Lead Generation & Annual Giving Programs, the Associate Director oversees programs and teams that deliver philanthropic engagement at scale, including Donor Experience Officers (Philanthropy Specialists) and student ambassadors within RepDials. The role leads strategy for qualifying philanthropic leads, executing cadence-based multi-channel engagement, and deploying innovative tools—including AI-enabled solutions—to increase donor participation, accelerate prospect movement, and support annual giving’s role in long-term pipeline development.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of appropriate experience in annual giving or related field; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience annual giving or related field.
• 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.
• 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 for expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of annual giving, membership, direct marketing, or digital advertising experience.
• Prior experience in development or related fields.
• Prior experience developing and implementing special campaigns including social media and email marketing.
• Knowledge of annual giving within philanthropy.
• Ability to work collaboratively and a team player.
• Proven project management, time management, and organizational skills.
• Competency in problem solving.
• Outstanding customer service skills; ability to cultivate and maintain positive relationships with both external and internal constituents.
• Ability to incorporate both quantitative and qualitative information and metrics into decision making.
• Accuracy, attention to detail and a customer service-oriented attitude.
• Technology savvy.
• Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems is also highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• AI-Assisted Lead Generation & Innovation Lead and manage the Philanthropy Specialist (DXO) team responsible for donor qualification and scalable relationship‑building.
• Design and implement individualized, omni‑channel engagement strategies—phone, text, video, email, and digital—enhanced by AI‑powered insights and tools to move donors efficiently through the philanthropic pipeline.
• Develop business rules that support warming donors for major gift officer handoff
• Develop donor warming frameworks that combine human outreach with automated, individualized AI‑generated outreach to increase prospect pipeline velocity and revenue impact
• Establish and monitor KPIs for engagement quality, lead conversion, portfolio readiness, and revenue impact, using data to refine segmentation, cadence, messaging, and channel mix
• Partner with Prospect Strategy & Research, Family and Campus Development, Major Gifts teams to ensure seamless transition of qualified donors into managed portfolios.
• Oversee outreach strategies and document best practices for the Lead Generation program, optimizing staff performance and documenting scalable processes.
• Champion responsible exploration and implementation of autonomous fundraising technologies, including AI‑driven donor outreach and prioritization, predictive engagement communications and content generation for lead generation and major gift readiness.
• Contribute to governance structures, quality standards, and ethical guidelines to ensure transparent, responsible, and donor‑centered use of AI in fundraising.
• Collaborate with technology, data, and compliance teams to integrate emerging AI tools into CRM and engagement platforms, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy and donor experience expectations.
• Pilot and evaluate innovative fundraising technologies to expand scalability, enhance engagement efficiency and preserve the relationship‑based nature of philanthropy.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for UF Advancement’s Call Center Program, RepDials, including student ambassadors and DXO integration.
• Oversee day-to-day program execution, staffing models, performance management, and unit partner collaboration.
• Lead development of 1-1 outreach strategies across phone, text, video, and email to drive both annual giving revenue and qualified leads.
• Ensure alignment between RepDials activity, pipeline development goals, and institutional fundraising priorities.
• Leverage analytics to continuously optimize contact strategies, scripts, segmentation and donor experience.
• Collaborate closely with Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Donor Relations and colleges and units to ensure coordinated donor journeys.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for UF Advancement’s Call Center Program, RepDials, including student ambassadors and DXO integration.
• Oversee day-to-day program execution, staffing models, performance management, and unit partner collaboration.
• Lead development of 1-1 outreach strategies across phone, text, video, and email to drive both annual giving revenue and qualified leads.
• Ensure alignment between RepDials activity, pipeline development goals, and institutional fundraising priorities.
• Leverage analytics to continuously optimize contact strategies, scripts, segmentation and donor experience.
• Collaborate closely with Annual Giving, Alumni Relations, Donor Relations and colleges and units to ensure coordinated donor journeys.
• Manage annual giving campaign execution for 3-5 unit partners.
• Partner with academic and administrative units to plan and execute direct marketing campaigns, including segmentation, data strategy, creative development, copy review, production coordination, budgeting, and performance reporting.
• Monitor campaign results, adjust strategies in-flight as needed, and provide regular performance reporting to partners.
• Maintain the annual production calendar for assigned units.
• Recruit, onboard, train, evaluate, and coach staff using best practices in talent management.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and growth-oriented team culture aligned with UF Advancement’s vision and values.
• Build strong partnerships across Advancement and campus stakeholders.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices in fundraising, engagement technology, and donor experience; implement improvements where appropriate.
• Promote an accessible and respectful workplace culture.

Benefits

• Affordable State Health Plans: Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Comprehensive Coverage: Life and Disability Insurance
• Secure Retirement Options: Generous plans to safeguard your future
• Paid Time Off: Including 11 paid holidays, as well as family, sick, and vacation leave
• Professional and Personal Growth: Opportunities through UF Training & Organization Development, leadership development, LinkedIn learning, and more
• Tuition Assistance: Benefit from the UF Employee Education Program
• PSLF Eligibility: We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer

What This Job Offers

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