Senior Director of Development Administration, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering

University of Florida•Gainesville, FL

About The Position

The Senior Director of Development Administration leads a comprehensive fundraising program supporting the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and the Department of Engineering Education within the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida. Reporting to the Executive Director of Advancement, this strategic leadership role develops and executes fundraising initiatives that advance college priorities and support the university’s philanthropic goals. The Senior Director cultivates relationships with alumni, donors, stakeholders, volunteers, faculty, staff, and university leaders to secure philanthropic investments that support innovation, student success, academic excellence, and engineering education and research. The role manages a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects, with a focus on gifts assessed at $500,000 and above, and advances major gift solicitations through strategic engagement, proposals, and stewardship. The position contributes to strategic planning, fundraising performance, communications, volunteer engagement, budget planning, and operational effectiveness across the advancement program. It supervises and mentors development professionals, establishes goals and performance measures, supports recruitment and team development, and ensures effective use of office systems, prospect management practices, records, research, and CRM resources.

Requirements

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience, or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of experience.
A valid driver's license.
Ability and willingness to travel.
A good driving record.
Ability to pay business expenses using personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed.
Ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
Competency in problem solving.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and ability to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of people.
Ability to collaborate with stakeholders, manage projects, work in a data-driven environment, stay organized, and lead, influence, and inspire others.
Proficiency with Windows operating systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, internet browsers, and email platforms.

Nice To Haves

Five to eight years of major gift fundraising experience, with documented success cultivating and soliciting gifts of $500,000 and above from individual and corporate prospects, including campaign experience.
Experience in a college or university setting and enthusiasm for fundraising at a comprehensive research university.
Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards.
Experience developing solicitation strategies.
Ability to work strategically, develop and implement constituency programs and activities, and motivate volunteers.
Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems.
Support for the University’s commitment to a respectful, collaborative work environment that values integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect.

Responsibilities

Implement fundraising initiatives and identify, cultivate, and strategically manage a portfolio of prospects, particularly prospects associated with gifts of $500,000 and above.
Conduct face-to-face visits and develop and present major gift proposals to advance solicitations to closure.
Acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways meaningful to donors and appropriate to the unit’s and University of Florida Advancement’s mission, vision, and values.
Communicate and prioritize fundraising efforts within the broader Advancement mission, goals, and objectives.
Strengthen alumni and donor awareness of giving opportunities and collaborate with academic unit-based development officers across campus.
Engage volunteers, faculty, staff, advisory board members, and other stakeholders in support of the fundraising program.
Assist in developing and implementing communications plans that inform constituents about the unit’s mission, priorities, and gift opportunities.
Initiate, plan, and support activities and events involving volunteers and prospects.
Create and maintain structured processes for identifying, recruiting, evaluating, recognizing, and replacing volunteers.
Participate in recruiting experienced leaders for boards and committees and help ensure these groups represent and respond to the communities served.
Plan and monitor budgets and use resources effectively for fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty, and administration.
Manage and mentor staff using talent management best practices; establish goals and metrics aligned with unit objectives and support strategic planning and accountability.
Build, manage, and lead a strong team of development professionals; identify and recruit talent and provide fundraising leadership and counsel.
Attend senior development meetings.
Partner with the Executive Director of Advancement to form and implement college fundraising plans and policies and interpret policy for faculty and staff as needed.
Work with the Executive Director of Advancement and the Dean’s Advisory Board to identify prospects and establish fundraising priorities for the College.
Assist with administration of the College’s development programs, aligning potential donor priorities with overall priorities.
Assist with planning and implementing short- and long-term development and alumni programs and strategies.
Design solicitation strategies on a case-by-case basis, taking development and college office needs and procedures into account.
Ensure effective office systems, practices, files, and record keeping, and use of contact reports, prospect management, research, analysis, and the Advance database.
Perform related duties as required or appropriate to the responsibilities and functions of the position.