Executive Director of Development

University of Central Florida • Orlando, FL

1d

About The Position

Advancement & Partnerships: Join our dynamic and growing Advancement & Partnerships team as we work together to power partnerships and transform lives through philanthropy. Together, we can unleash the potential of people and ideas to positively change the world. Your efforts on our team will help us to build the University for the Future. The Opportunity : The Executive Director of Development leads the advancement strategy for one of UCF’s academic units. This role develops and executes an annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Senior Associate Vice President of Development, the Dean of the assigned college, and university leadership. The Executive Director manages development staff, builds and stewards a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, and serves as the lead fundraiser and strategist for philanthropic initiatives aligned with the college’s priorities. UCF is seeking to fill multiple roles. Candidates for this job posting will be considered for additional vacancies in this department. Posting will fill positions in College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) and College of Arts and Humanities (CAH). Classification Title: Development Director III

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6)

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, preferably in higher education or complex nonprofit environments.
• Strong knowledge of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Experience managing and mentoring development staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals and articulate complex priorities.
• Proven ability to engage academic leaders, faculty, volunteers, and alumni in fundraising efforts.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to set goals, measure progress, and adapt strategies.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases (e.g., Blackbaud CRM) and data-informed development strategies.
• Experience engaging advisory boards or volunteer leadership groups.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships to secure transformative investments in support of the college’s priorities.
• Train, mentor, and manage the college’s advancement staff, including those focused on alumni engagement, volunteer engagement, annual giving, and major gifts.
• Develop, execute, and track progress toward an annual fundraising and engagement plan in partnership with the Dean and AVP, setting goals and strategies that align with the college’s vision.
• Recruit, retain, and manage volunteers for the Dean’s Advisory Board and other alumni or advisory committees; collaborate with the Dean on board agendas and engagement strategies.
• Partner with volunteer leaders to support discovery, cultivation, and solicitation activities.
• Prepare and present gift proposals and agreements in accordance with UCF Foundation guidelines and provide meaningful stewardship to donors.
• Maintain accurate and timely prospect activity, reporting, and documentation in the donor database.
• Schedule and conduct joint prospect visits with university academic leadership and/or key volunteers to advance cultivation and solicitation strategies.

Benefits

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
• Retirement savings options
• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
• Education assistance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees