Associate Vice President, Development

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees is seeking an Associate Vice President for Development to provide leadership and oversight for a portfolio of senior fundraisers within Advancement & Partnerships. This pivotal role focuses on advancing major gift strategies, donor engagement, and campaign execution to achieve university-wide philanthropic goals.

Under the Sr. AVP and SVP, you will mentor senior fundraising staff, shape portfolio development, and collaborate with college

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience.
• At least 5+ years of leadership experience in advancement and fundraising.
• Experience leading major gift or principal gift fundraising efforts.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and supervision for senior fundraising leaders and teams.
• Develops fundraising strategy, portfolio plans, and donor engagement for major gifts.
• Supports campaign targets and coordinates with divisions to meet goals.
• Collaborates with deans, faculty, and executives to align fundraising with priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising strategy

Donor engagement

Portfolio management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Tools

Donor management systems

Job description

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

Under the general leadership of the Senior Associate Vice President of Advancement & Partnerships and Co-Campaign Director (Sr. AVP) and in alignment with the strategic priorities of the Senior Vice President for Advancement & Partnerships (SVP), the Associate Vice President for Development (AVP) will provide leadership and operational oversight for a portfolio of Assistant Vice President, Executive Director of Development and Director of Development level fundraisers.

The Associate Vice President serves as a senior fundraising strategist and people leader responsible for advancing philanthropic results, strengthening fundraising operations, and supporting the successful execution of the university's comprehensive campaign.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Oversight of Development Teams

Provides strategic leadership and direct supervision for a group of Assistant Vice President, Executive Director of Development, and Director of Development level positions and other senior fundraising leaders responsible for major gift fundraising within assigned colleges and units. Guides fundraising strategy, portfolio development, and prospect engagement to ensure teams are positioned to meet or exceed fundraising goals. Establishes expectations for performance, accountability, and collaboration across development teams while supporting consistent fundraising practices and processes across the division. Works closely with development leaders to assess pipeline health, identify opportunities for growth, and remove barriers to fundraising success. Provides mentorship, coaching, and leadership development for senior fundraising staff to strengthen the division's overall fundraising capacity. Supports the recruitment, onboarding, and development of development professionals in partnership with Advancement leadership and Human Resources Operations.

Fundraising Strategy and Principal Gift Engagement

Maintains a select portfolio of select principal and major gift prospects to cultivate, solicit, and steward in partnership with college leadership and development officers. Provides strategic counsel to development leaders on complex fundraising strategies, donor engagement plans, and principal gift opportunities. Works collaboratively with deans, faculty, and university leadership to identify philanthropic priorities and align donor interests with institutional needs. Supports cross-unit fundraising strategies and collaborative gift opportunities that advance university-wide initiatives and campaign priorities.

Campaign and Strategic Initiative Leadership

Supports the success of the campaign by ensuring that the units meet their benchmarks, have what they need to successfully do their jobs, are effectively coached, mentored, deans are engaged, fundraisers are working well with central fundraising services, etc. Assists and supports with prospect strategies and fundraising goal development. They will support the units in achieving their campaign targets, provide guidance to enhance campaign participation and performance. Works collaboratively with Advancement Operations, Prospect Development, and Communications teams to ensure fundraising strategies are informed by data, pipeline insights, and coordinated donor engagement.

Leadership Collaboration and Division Strategy

Contributes to division-wide fundraising planning, goal setting, and strategic initiatives. Collaborates with Advancement leaders to strengthen performance expectations, prospect management practices, and campaign strategies. Provides insight and recommendations to senior leadership on emerging fundraising opportunities, staffing needs, and organizational priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 12+ years of relevant experience with at least 5+ years of leadership experience; or an Equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6) .

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Business Administration, Communications, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in higher education advancement, philanthropy, or complex nonprofit fundraising environments.
• Demonstrated success leading large-scale major gift or principal gift fundraising efforts, including securing seven-figure philanthropic commitments.
• Experience leading and developing senior fundraising professionals in a complex, matrixed organizati