Associate/ Director of Development, Fixel

University of Florida

Gainesville (FL)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 100,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Retirement options

Paid time off (11 holidays + leave)

Professional growth opportunities

Tuition assistance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The University of Florida in Gainesville seeks an Associate/Director of Development to advance major gifts for the Fixel Institute. You will manage a donor portfolio, solicit gifts of $50,000 and above, and collaborate with UF Health and UF Foundation colleagues.

Requires a Master’s degree with relevant experience; or a Bachelor’s with several years in development. A proven track record in fundraising, stewardship, and donor engagement is essential.

Qualifications

Master’s degree with 1+ year relevant experience, or Bachelor’s with 3+ years.
Director-level experience in development or related field with 3+ years (Master’s) or 5+ years (Bachelor’s).

Responsibilities

Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects ($50,000+).
Grow and refine an existing portfolio of prospects and donors; move gifts to closure.
Develop and present concept papers and major gift proposals; acknowledge gifts meaningfully.
Involve stakeholders (volunteers, physicians, faculty, staff) to support fundraising and engagement.
Increase knowledge of campaign priorities and donor opportunities (fellowships, endowments, research).
Implement annual giving cultivation and solicitation strategies; manage content and logistics for campaigns.

Skills

Major gifts experience

Fundraising strategy

Donor cultivation

Education

Master's degree in an appropriate area

Bachelor's degree in an appropriate area

Job description

Classification Minimum 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.

Classification Title

Associate/ Director of Development

Classification Minimum 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.

Job Description

Portfolio Management

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. The objective of the program is to develop a comprehensive donor pipeline, moving donors towards leadership, major, principal, and planned gifts.
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.

Strategic Initiatives

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.

Administrative

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.

University of Florida

At the University of Florida , we are feeding communities, healing coastlines, exploring space, curing diseases, powering cities, building industries, and imagining wonders. As the state’s most comprehensive university, UF is a land, sea, and space grant institution with ties to every Florida county, a top academic medical center, and much more. The ideas born here gather steam and make tangible impacts. Florida is among the nation’s leaders in technology transfer, turning discoveries into companies, products, and jobs. Come join us—let’s see where we can go together.

Gainesville, Florida

Gainesville, Florida is a vibrant, welcoming city known for its natural beauty, rich culture, and strong sense of community. As home to the University of Florida and UF Health, it is a hub for education, healthcare, and innovation. With award-winning parks, a thriving arts scene, and a variety of dining and entertainment options, Gainesville offers something for everyone.

Ranked the #1 city to move to in Florida by USA Today in 2024, Gainesville combines small-town charm with big-city amenities—making it a great place to live, work, and thrive. Visit the city’s website for community information.

Expected Salary

Associate Director: $70,000-80,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience.

Director: $95,000-100,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience.

Exceptional Benefits We Offer

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

The University of Florida offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn more.

Required Qualifications

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.

Valid driver’s license

Preferred

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 valid driver’s license and good driving record are essential. *
Business expenses are reimbursed through a standard accounting system. The ability to pay for expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential.