Associate/ Director of Development, Fixel

University of Florida • Gainesville, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate/Director of Development is responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects for the Fixel Institute. This includes fellowship alumni, friends, faculty, and grateful patients, with a focus on gifts of $50,000 and above. The role involves growing and refining an existing portfolio of prospects and donors, strategically advancing relationships, and bringing gifts to closure through face-to-face visits, proposals, and solicitations. The position also entails developing support for UF Health and its key priorities by involving stakeholders such as volunteers, physicians, faculty, and staff. A key objective is to increase knowledge of and grow philanthropic support for Fixel Institute campaign priorities, including fellowships, endowments, research, programmatic initiatives, and campus/capital priorities. In collaboration with the Senior Director of Development and Foundation colleagues, the role will implement an annual giving cultivation and solicitation strategy, managing content development and overseeing logistics for campaigns and appeals through various channels. The program aims to develop a comprehensive donor pipeline, moving donors towards leadership, major, principal, and planned gifts. The position also supports the Senior Director of Development in advancing a donor-ready portfolio of Fixel Institute funding priorities. Additionally, the role involves supporting physicians, researchers, administrators, and medical staff in identifying and referring prospects, and collaborating with development officers to increase house staff engagement and solicitations. The position requires preparing research and reports for stakeholders, initiating and supporting activities and events, and assisting with developing and maintaining donor-ready concept papers, gift proposals, and stewardship materials. Tracking and reporting of advancement activity across various fundraising areas is also a responsibility. The role partners with Fixel communications, finance/operations, faculty leaders, program leaders, and other Institute stakeholders to gather information for donor cultivation, proposals, stewardship, and campaign planning. The Associate/Director of Development will perform prospect tracking, portfolio management, record keeping, file maintenance, and reporting using the Ascend database, ensuring best practices in office systems. Participation in UF Health and UF Foundation events is expected, along with providing research and prospect information for the Foundation’s integrated database and handling confidential information ethically. Accurate advancement reports, prospect updates, pipeline summaries, and stewardship tracking are essential for supporting leadership and reporting expectations.

Requirements

• Associate Director: 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.
• Director: 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 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 is 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, focusing on gifts of $50,000 and above.
• Grow and refine an existing portfolio of prospects and donors, strategically advancing relationships and bringing gifts to closure.
• Develop and present concept papers and major gift proposals.
• 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 key priorities by effectively involving stakeholders.
• Increase knowledge of and grow philanthropic support for Fixel Institute campaign priorities.
• Implement an annual giving cultivation and solicitation strategy, managing content development and overseeing logistics for campaigns and appeals.
• Support the Senior Director of Development in advancing a donor-ready portfolio of Fixel Institute funding 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.
• Initiate, plan and support activities and events involving volunteers, donors, grateful patients and prospects.
• Support implementation of the annual Fixel Institute Advancement Plan.
• Assist with developing, maintaining, and updating donor-ready concept papers, gift proposals, and stewardship materials.
• Support tracking and reporting of advancement activity across various fundraising areas.
• Partner with Fixel communications, finance/operations, faculty leaders, program leaders, and other Institute stakeholders to gather information.
• 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.
• Provide research, market, and prospect information for inclusion into the Foundation’s integrated database.
• 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.

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