Veterinary Medicine, Director of Development

University of Florida; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life and disability insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Professional growth opportunities

Tuition assistance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Job summary

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is seeking a Director of Development to manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and drive solicitations of $100K+. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, you will cultivate relationships with donors, alumni, faculty, and volunteers to align philanthropic interests with research, education, and patient care priorities.

You will develop strategic moves management plans, present proposals, and coordinate high-level engagement

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in appropriate area with 3 years of development experience, or a bachelor’s with 5 years in development.
• Experience in major gifts fundraising ($100K+) and campaign experience.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles and donor relations best practices.
• Ability to develop and implement solicitation strategies and moves management.

Responsibilities

• Identify and cultivate major and principal gift prospects ($100K+) and manage a donor portfolio.
• Develop tailored, multi-year engagement and solicitation plans aligned with university priorities.
• Present proposals and organize high-level engagement events with donors and volunteers.
• Provide reporting, stewardship, and recognition of gifts aligned with CVM and UF Advancement objectives.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Donor engagement

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Education

Master’s degree in appropriate area

Bachelor’s degree in appropriate areas

Tools

CRM/donor database

MS Office (Word, Excel, Access)

Job description

Meaningful impact in veterinary medicine begins with connection—the powerful bond between people and their animals—which is at the heart of everything we do at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. As its Advancement team grows, the college is excited to welcome a dynamic Director of Development to help elevate its fundraising efforts. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, this role manages a portfolio of high-capacity donors and builds lasting relationships through thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Working closely with leadership, faculty, clinicians, grateful clients, alumni, and volunteers, the Director connects donor passions with impactful opportunities across research, education, and patient care. This position focuses on securing major and principal gifts, including those of $100K and above. If supporting animal care and advancing veterinary medicine inspires you, you can turn that passion into lasting impact here.

Portfolio Management

• Responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift prospects as well as grateful clients.
• Build a portfolio of fundraising prospects at the major gift levels ($100,000+) and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits to bring gift solicitations to closure.
• Focus on individual prospects rated at a capacity of $100,000 or above.
• Assess and refine the portfolio by identifying new high-net-worth individuals and families with the capacity and affinity to support college priorities.
• Develop and implement tailored fundraising strategies for grateful client donors, aligning philanthropic interests with the College's priorities in research, education, patient care, and capital initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Office of Estate & Gift Planning team to develop and implement a gifting strategy for qualified donor portfolios at the planned giving level.

Development Strategy & Donor Engagement

• Must develop comprehensive understanding of the college mission, strategy, and goals as they relate to fundraising.
• Partner with college leadership and unit/program directors to create and execute tailored, multi-year engagement and solicitation strategies for each assigned prospect, leveraging a moves management framework. Each plan should be rooted in the donor's philanthropic interests and aligned with university strategic priorities.
• Develop and present concept papers and gift proposals to donors.
• Organize and facilitate high-level engagement experiences, including campus visits, personalized briefings and engagement opportunities to deepen prospect relationships.
• Attend and support activities and events involving volunteers and prospects. This may include pre-and post- event publicity, as well as event set-up, break-down, and serving as a host.
• Deliver thoughtful, personalized donor stewardship by recognizing gifts in meaningful ways aligned with the mission and values of CVM and UF Advancement, while providing customized reporting, facilitating naming opportunities, managing long-term relationships, and ensuring donors are appropriately engaged and recognized through events and communications.

Communications

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan to inform constituents and identify markets about the mission, vision, and values of the unit, its funding priorities, and gift opportunities.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with college administration and faculty through regular, consistent, and relevant communication.
• Work with marketing and communications to design and produce collateral or promotional materials that relate to events, including programs, pledge forms, signage, etc.

Administrative

• Ensure best practices in office systems, files and record keeping.
• Provide research, market, and prospect information for UFA’s integrated database, and handle confidential prospect information in a sensitive, ethical manner.
• Contribute to the planning and monitoring of the budget, using resources for best results in fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty and administration.

MINIMUM 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 4-6 years of major gift fundraising experience with documented success in cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above from individual 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 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. A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.*

SALARY RANGE:

$85,000-95,000 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

Special instructions:

Work sponsorship is not available for this position.