Director of Development - Campaign

UF Statistics Club; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Florida's UF Advancement team is seeking a Director of Development to lead major gift fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic planning within our research university context. You will work to advance philanthropy and build transformative partnerships across UF.

In this role you will manage a portfolio of 100k+ donors, collaborate with faculty and program leaders, and create tailored engagement strategies to support UF priorities and demonstrable impact.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 3+ years experience in development or a related field, or a bachelor’s with 5+ years in development.
• Driver’s license is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors capable of gifts of 100,000+ through strategic relationship development and personalized engagement.
• Lead donor solicitations and philanthropic conversations resulting in significant investments.
• Achieve annual fundraising and performance goals, including donor visits, proposals submitted, and dollars raised.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with donors, alumni, volunteers, and university stakeholders through in-person engagement.
• Develop and implement communication and engagement strategies to inform donors about priorities and impact.
• Collaborate with faculty and program leaders to translate needs into philanthropic opportunities.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor portfolio management

Strategic philanthropic planning

Donor communications

Relationship building

Education

Master's degree in a relevant field

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

The University of Florida is currently in its fifth comprehensive campaign—a bold, future‑shaping initiative building on the extraordinary momentum of recent years and propelling the university into its next era of impact. To help advance this historic effort, UF Advancement is expanding its team with mission‑driven development professionals who are ready to champion UF’s priorities and inspire transformational philanthropy.

Role

Join the UF Advancement team as a Director of Development and take advantage of a unique opportunity to combine strategic fundraising leadership, meaningful relationship building, and mission‑driven impact within a leading research university environment. Professionals considered for these roles will support:

Major Gift Fundraising & Donor Portfolio Management

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors capable of making gifts of $100,000+ through strategic relationship development and personalized engagement.
  
• Develop and implement individualized strategies for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift donors aligned with college/unit priorities.
  
• Lead donor solicitations and philanthropic conversations that result in significant charitable investments and long‑term partnerships.
  
• Achieve annual fundraising and performance goals, including philanthropic production targets, donor visits, proposals submitted, and total dollars raised.
  

Donor Engagement, Stewardship & Relationship Building

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with donors, prospects, alumni, volunteers, and university stakeholders through meaningful, in‑person engagement.
  
• Steward donors through thoughtful recognition, communication, and ongoing engagement aligned with UF Advancement’s mission, values, and standards.
  
• Create tailored communication and engagement strategies that keep donors informed about institutional priorities, opportunities, and philanthropic impact.
  
• Represent the college/unit at events and engagement activities designed to strengthen donor relationships and advance fundraising objectives.
  

Strategic Fundraising Planning & Collaboration

• Collaborate with faculty, administrators, and program leaders to identify funding priorities and translate institutional needs into compelling philanthropic opportunities.
  
• Partner with faculty and staff to coordinate comprehensive donor engagement and fundraising strategies.
  
• Build and sustain strong internal partnerships through consistent, proactive communication with leadership, faculty, and advancement colleagues.
  
• Develop efficient travel and engagement strategies to maximize donor outreach and fundraising productivity across priority regions.
  

Communications, Proposal Development & Storytelling

• Prepare persuasive written materials including gift proposals, concept papers, donor correspondence, and case statements that inspire philanthropic investment.
  
• Communicate institutional priorities and impact effectively through exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Tailor messaging and solicitation approaches to diverse donor audiences and philanthropic interests.
  

Performance Management & Operational Effectiveness

• Operate effectively in a goal‑driven, metrics‑based advancement environment with strong accountability for fundraising outcomes.
  
• Demonstrate strong organizational, prioritization, and time‑management skills while managing multiple projects and donor relationships simultaneously.
  
• Utilize donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking tools to document activity, manage pipelines, and support strategic decision‑making.
  
• Maintain technical proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and other advancement‑related technologies.
  

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in appropriate area of specialization and three years of appropriate experience in Development or a related field; or a bachelor's degree in appropriate areas of specialization and five years of experience in Development or a related field; and a valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fundraising Expertise: Demonstrated success securing major gifts, ideally at the $100,000+ level, and cultivating long‑term donor relationships; and strong understanding of fundraising principles, donor strategy development, and advancement best practices.
• Higher Education & Mission Alignment: Experience working within higher education or a similarly complex organization; and enthusiasm for advancing the mission of a large, comprehensive research university through philanthropy.
• Relationship Management & Collaboration: Ability to work independently while contributing as a collaborative and collegial team member; and skilled at building productive relationships across varying levels of leadership and stakeholder groups.
• Leadership & Professionalism: Commitment to fostering a respectful, professional, and collaborative work environment; and ability to lead through influence, inspire confidence, and thrive in a data‑informed culture.
• Technical & Operational Skills: Proficiency with Windows‑based systems, Microsoft Office Suite, donor databases, and constituent relationship management platforms.
• Travel & Engagement: Willingness and ability to travel frequently to maintain strong donor and university relationships.

About The 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. Join us – help shape what comes next.

About Gainesville

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.

As one of the nation’s leading public research universities, the University of Florida is committed to supporting the whole employee—both personally and professionally. Our comprehensive benefits package is thoughtfully designed to enhance your well‑being, provide flexibility for a variety of individual and family needs, and empower your long‑term growth. From health and wellness to career development, UF invests in helping you thrive at every stage of life.

Our Benefits

As one of the nation’s leading public research universities, the University of Florida is committed to supporting the whole employee—both personally and professionally. Our comprehensive benefits package is thoughtfully designed to enhance your well‑being, provide flexibility for a variety of individual and family needs, and empower your long‑term growth. From health and wellness to career development, UF invests in helping you thrive at every stage of life.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

Interest forms for opportunities will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as positions become available. Should you be considered to advance in the screening and selection process, you will be contacted by the department.
Because this is a pooled recruitment, applicants may not receive immediate updates regarding their status. Hiring managers will review qualified candidates as openings arise, and selected applicants will be contacted directly for further screening, interviews, or additional documentation.
We appreciate your patience throughout this process. Inclusion in the talent pool indicates that your application will remain active and eligible for consideration for up to six months from the date of submission. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that contact information remains current during this period.