Associate Director, Development

Classification Title:	ASO DIR, Development
Classification Minimum Requirements:	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.
Job Description:

• The Associate Director of Development is responsible for the development and implementation of the development and alumni programs and will independently perform identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of mid-level gift prospects.
• Focus on individual prospects and work with leadership corporate and foundation prospects where gift/grant is assessed at $50,000 and above.
• Build a portfolio of fundraising prospects and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits.
• Attend college and UF Advancement functions to identify new individuals and move prospects through the donor continuum in coordination with the Senior Director of Development.

• Responsible for implementation of a broad range of development and alumni affairs activities including alumni events and special fundraising projects that target individuals, corporations, and foundations to support the annual fund of Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment.
• Initiate and execute young alumni engagement and giving programs in ESSIE.
• Coordinate all annual fund strategies and solicitations via Engineering Annual Giving, including specialty, fundraising initiatives such as the Pinning Campaign.
• Assist the ESSIE department head in developing, managing, and executing plans, communications, and meetings for the ESSIE Advisory Board.
• Responsible for coordinating alumni and donor stewardship programs for the departments.
• Assist with planning and implementing short- and long-term development and alumni programs and strategies.
• Assist with designing solicitation strategies on a case-by-case basis, being cognizant of development and college office needs and procedures.
• Develop and present mid-level gift proposals and acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors, and appropriate to the mission, of the unit and UF Advancement.
• Assist in developing and implementing a comprehensive communications plan to inform constituents and identified markets about the mission and vision of the unit, its funding priorities, and gift opportunities.
• Create a structured process for the identification, recruitment, evaluation, recognition, and replacement of volunteers to strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
• Participate in recruiting experienced leadership on boards and/or committees in order to ensure that these groups are representative of, and responsive to, the communities served.

• Review documentation of donations for accuracy and ensure that donors receive proper gift credit, including gift acknowledgements and related stewardship.
• Work with college development team to ensure all donors are properly recognized for their contributions.
• Draft correspondence to donors, prospects, alumni, and corporations for the department head.
• Ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files, and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources, such as contact reports, prospect management, research, and analysis, and the Ascend database.

Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishment of the responsibilities and functions related to this position

Expected Salary:

Up to $85,000 annually; commensurate with education and experience

Required Qualifications:

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.

A valid Florida Driver License is required.

Preferred:

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Three to five years of mid-level and/or major gift fundraising experience with documented success in cultivating and soliciting gifts of $50,000 and above from individual and corporate prospects with campaign experience.
• 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.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook, and demonstrated ability to effectively use donor databases, constituent relationship management (CRM) systems, or other contact management and tracking systems. Ability to learn and adapt to new technology and systems used to support Advancement operations.
• The ability and willingness to travel. A valid driver’s license and good driving record are essential.

*Business expenses are reimbursed through a standard accounting system. The ability to pay expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential.

UF Advancement has defined the following critical competencies for organizational and position specific success:

• Relationship Mastery - Identifies, targets, and strategically builds relationships with colleagues, prospects, donors, and volunteers.
  • Establishes and maintains effective relationships, demonstrating genuine interest in the well-being and opinions of others and recognizing common ground with individuals from varying backgrounds.
  • Anticipates conversational direction with ability to swiftly adapt and diffuse high-tension situations.
  • Successfully identifies the proper timing, medium and consistency to engage stakeholders.
  • Exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence in all interactions.
• Donor Focus - Ability to establish, cultivate and steward prospects/ donors to build and maintain lifelong partnerships and trust on behalf of the institution.
  • Consistently searches for ways to improve the donor experience centralizing all efforts and tasks around meeting their needs.
  • Matches donor/prospect passions with university priorities, involving the right people and resources at the right time.
  • Places prospect/ donor needs ahead of personal success.
  • Utilizes resources, remains flexible, and creatively suggests individualized engagement activities.
• Tenacity - Ability to demonstrate the discipline and resilience necessary to successfully achieve goals and strategies.
  • Identifies and seizes opportunities, setting “stretch” goals and exceeding them (always looking for the next rung on the ladder)
  • Ability to re-direct prospects from distractions and non-productive requests (in control but not seemingly in control)
  • Strong commitment to close gifts (every day is a domino)
  • Does not give up in the face of obstacles (master of “No”)
• Credibility - Displays responsible, reliable, and trustworthy actions.
  • Acts in an ethical and authentic manner to support the mission of the university, demonstrating a “can do” spirit, sense of ownership, urgency, and commitment.
  • Stay current on functional and technical aspects of one’s job seeking opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills.
  • Promotes and establishes trust, respect and rapport utilizing diplomacy and tact.
  • Fulfill commitments made to donors, colleagues, and university partners.
• Entrepreneurial Spirit - Ability to generate creative solutions and take risks.
  • Understands current environment and possesses the ability to adapt to new opportunities and challenges.
  • Generates innovative ideas, solutions, and opportunities to positively impact results (does not order from the menu)
  • Learns from success and failure with a drive to succeed (hates to lose)
  • Accepts, embraces, and leads change.
• Engaging Communication - Ability to attentively listen and express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communication.
  • Possesses the ability to engage and inspire.
  • Successfully reads verbal and non-verbal cues adapting communication style and strategy as needed.
  • Demonstrates active listening and understands the art of asking questions to skillfully obtain more complete information.
  • Commands attention when speaking and presenting to individuals or groups.
• Strategic Thinking - Ability to develop strategies and plans that integrate into the organization’s mission, priorities, and goals.
  • Ability to effectively synthesize information and data to evaluate and prioritize prospects/donors in a larger context (knows their prospects)
  • Ability to document and illustrate a comprehensive engagement strategy with realistic timelines.
  • Collaboratively engages colleagues and academic partners and integrates their knowledge into strategy.
  • Ability to think big and create bold and inspiring tactics.
• Mission Driven - Fundamentally identifies with the core mission to create awareness, build relationships, generate support, and recognize donors for the purpose of advancing the university.
  • Considers national trends and best practices of advancement within higher education.
  • Possesses a solid appreciation of UF history, culture, and tradition.
  • Understands the power of philanthropy and how to engage donors toward achieving their goals.
  • Creates advocates for the university through the ability to “visualize dreams,” “ask,” and “close.”

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered for this position, you must upload a cover letter and resume with application.

This position is open to current UF employees only.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required: No

 

Advertised: 16 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 23 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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