Associate/ Director of Development

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

5d • $70,000 - $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate/Director of Development will be responsible for portfolio management, strategic initiatives, and administrative tasks related to fundraising for the Fixel Institute at the University of Florida. This role involves identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects, growing and refining an existing portfolio of prospects and donors, and developing support for UF Health and its key priorities. The position also includes collaborating with development officers, preparing research and reports, planning activities and events, and ensuring best practices in office systems and record keeping. The role requires proficiency in database management, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a focus on gifts of $50,000 and above.

Requirements

• ASO DIR: 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.
• DIR: Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience in Development or a related field; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and five years of experience in Development or a related field.
• Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

• Four to six years of successful prior fund-raising experience in a medical center, college or university setting is strongly preferred.
• Prior work with volunteers and soliciting gifts in the $50,000+ range would be beneficial.
• 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.
• The ability to work strategically, develop and implement constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
• Ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
• Competency in problem solving.
• 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.
• Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems is also highly preferred.
• The ability and willingness to travel frequently.
• A good driving record are essential.
• The ability to pay for expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects for the Fixel Institute, including fellowship alumni, friends, faculty and grateful patients with a focus on gifts of $50,000 and above.
• Grow and refine an existing portfolio of prospects and donors, strategically advance relationships and bring gifts to closure through face-to-face visits, proposals and solicitations.
• Develop and present concept papers and major gift proposals and acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and appropriate to the mission, vision and values of UF Health and the UF Foundation.
• Develop support for UF Health and our key priorities by effectively involving stakeholders, such as volunteers, physicians, faculty, and staff, in an effort to support fundraising and engagement initiatives.
• Increase knowledge of and grow philanthropic support for Fixel Institute campaign priorities, including fellowships, endowments, research and programmatic initiatives, campus/capital priorities, and other Institute-specific funding opportunities.
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development and Foundation colleagues, implement an annual giving cultivation and solicitation strategy, managing the content development and working with the UF Health annual giving team to oversee logistics for campaigns and appeals to active, lapsed, and potential donors through mail, digital channels, and grateful patient acquisition campaigns.
• Support the Senior Director of Development in advancing a donor-ready portfolio of Fixel Institute funding priorities, including endowment, current-use/programmatic support, fellowships, research initiatives, campus/capital priorities, Centers of Excellence, strategic sponsorships, and other approved Institute priorities.
• Support physicians, researchers, administrators and medical staff in identifying and referring prospects, and in presenting needs and possibilities effectively.
• Collaborate with development officers to identify and develop strategies to increase house staff engagement opportunities and solicitations.
• Prepare research and reports for the attention of appropriate university staff, volunteers and stakeholders in support of targeted relationship and partnership building initiatives.
• Initiate, plan and support activities and events involving volunteers, donors, grateful patients and prospects, both on campus and regionally.
• Support implementation of the annual Fixel Institute Advancement Plan in alignment with the Senior Director of Development, UF Advancement standards, and Fixel Institute priorities.
• Assist with developing, maintaining, and updating donor-ready concept papers, gift proposals, stewardship materials, and fundable priority descriptions that reflect Fixel Institute strategic priorities and donor interests.
• Support tracking and reporting of advancement activity across annual giving, major gifts, current-use/programmatic support, endowment growth, fellowships, capital/campus priorities, corporate/foundation support, grateful patient engagement, and strategic sponsorships.
• Partner with Fixel communications, finance/operations, faculty leaders, program leaders, and other Institute stakeholders to gather information needed for donor cultivation, proposals, stewardship, impact reporting, and campaign planning.
• Effectively perform prospect tracking, portfolio management, record keeping, file maintenance, and reporting using the Ascend database.
• Ensure best practices in office systems, files and record keeping.
• Participate in UF Health and UF Foundation events, including those focused on cultivating prospects and donors.
• Provide research, market, and prospect information for inclusion into the Foundation’s integrated database, and handle confidential prospect information in a sensitive, ethical manner.
• Prepare and maintain accurate advancement reports, prospect updates, pipeline summaries, stewardship tracking, donor engagement notes, and related materials as needed to support the Senior Director of Development, Fixel Institute leadership, and UF Advancement reporting expectations.

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: Mid Level