ASO, Dir, Development

The Associate Director of Development, College of Education, will focus on fundraising for the College of Education (COE) through personal contacts and facilitation of events that assist the development effort. This position will identify prospects, cultivate and close both leadership annual gifts, and major gift at levels of $100,000 and above.  This role will serve as a strategic partner with the College of Education and UF Advancement ensuring conformity with the central fundraising efforts and the overall university development and alumni program goals and in promoting a culture of philanthropy by broadening constituents’ understanding of the value of giving.

Portfolio Management

• Build a portfolio of fundraising prospects at the leadership annual gift ($25,000+) and major gift ($100,000+) levels and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits.
• Assist in directing and developing a fundraising program for the College of Education and PK Yonge Developmental Research School.
• Maximize travel plans to strategic geographic regions for major gift solicitations/donor engagement.
• Attend college and UF Advancement functions to identify new individuals and move prospects through the donor cultivation cycle in coordination with the Executive Director of Advancement.

Development Strategy

• Set and implement strategies for identification, qualification, relationship-building, and solicitation to a close and steward leadership annual gifts and major gift prospects.
• Collaborate with the Office of Estate and Gift Planning team to develop and implement a strategy for securing deferred gifts.
• Identify and research alumni and friend prospects in targeted campaign priority areas: early childhood and literacy.
• Work with the Executive Director of Advancement to develop and implement strategy for securing major gifts   for college campaign priorities including an advancement plan to inform constituents and identified markets about the funding needs and gift opportunities in these specific areas. 
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Donor Relations, plan and execute strategies that will increase unrestricted giving to the college by mid-level and major gift prospects. Develop support for the fundraising program by effectively involving stakeholders, such as volunteers, faculty, and staff, to support fundraising efforts.
• Assist the Executive Director of Advancement with strategic planning and support activities and events involving volunteers and prospects.
• Identify top prospects for campaign leadership on boards/committees and/or key stakeholder meetings.
• Develop and present major gift proposals, and acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and appropriate to the vision, mission and values of the unit, and UF Advancement.
• Collaborate with unit and program directors to ensure goals and objectives are achieved.
  

Administrative

• Assist the Assistant Director of Annual Giving & Donor Relations with the review of documentation of donations for accuracy and ensure that donors receive proper gift credit, including gift acknowledgements and related stewardship.
• Draft correspondence to donors, prospects, alumni, and friends of the college for effective cultivation and engagement.
• 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 Advance database.

Communications/Events/Administration

• Develop and implement communication and engagement plans to keep prospects connected to the college and informed about the vision, mission 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.
• Write gift proposals, concept papers, and other documents that will help to inspire donors to give generously to support the college. 
• Attend and support activities and events involving volunteers and prospects.
• Serve as a liaison for College of Education Advancement to at least one departmental advisory board.
• Partner with faculty and staff at the college for donor engagement and fundraising strategy.

Competitive benefit package and salary is commensurate with experience: salary range $63,000- $68,000

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and three years of relevant experience.  

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Three to five years fundraising experience with proven success soliciting gifts of $25,000 and up strongly preferred.
• Experience in development, alumni affairs, education, public relations, external affairs and/or higher education.
• 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.
• Experience in development and alumni relations and/or external affairs.
• Demonstrated accomplishment in fostering productive relationships with volunteers and developing volunteer leadership.
• The ability to work strategically, implement and build constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
• Ability to work collaboratively and a team player.
• Competency in problem solving.
• Must be an outstanding communicator and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; interpersonal skills; and the ability to work collegially and interact effectively with a broad constituency.
• Proven success working with stakeholders; project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
• Strong organization skills with a focus on detail and fiscal oversight are imperative.
• Working knowledge in these areas:  Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, WWW browsers, preferably Chrome, Firefox, E-mail.  Working knowledge of a donor database, contact management and tracking system.
• The ability and willingness to travel.  A valid driver 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. 

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

• Collaboration - Ability to work cooperatively with others to achieve the goals of the organization.
  • Shares own experience, resources and expertise with others breaking down barriers or organizational boundaries to ensure team’s success.
  • Assists in keeping levels of team performance and morale high.
  • Works cooperatively and recognizes diversity as a strength and uses it to the benefit of projects and goals.
  • Works to meet individual, business unit and university goals with the acknowledgment of, and cooperation with the achievement of others' goals.
• Stakeholder Focus - Centralizes all efforts and tasks around meeting the needs of stakeholders to support the University of Florida.
  • Addresses stakeholder needs in a positive, timely and efficient manner by involving the right people and resources at the right time.
  • Understands the audience and seeks feedback to identify opportunities to improve the relationship and deliverables.
  • Creates stakeholder value utilizing service processes that attract, solidify and expand the total stakeholder relationship.
  • Considers the impact on all stakeholders when taking action, or carrying out one’s own job responsibilities.
• Manages Execution - Consistently maintains a high level of action and results while working with effectiveness and determination.
  • Executes functional tasks in pursuit of the larger vision (thinks big, acts small).
  • Pursues goals with persistence, energy, drive, a positive attitude and a need to finish.
  • Consistently prepared with a high level of productivity, prioritizing tasks to work effectively and efficiently to make and meet expectations.
  • Uncovers problems and issues and removes barriers in order to move the work forward.
• Accountability - Takes responsibility for work activities, personal actions and self-development.
  • Acts resourcefully, ensuring work is completed on time and to quality standards within legal guidelines and policies. 
  • Finds opportunities for personal and professional development keeping up-to-date on technical and functional aspects of one’s job.
  • Assumes personal ownership of complications immediately and follows through until resolved.
  • Accepts feedback openly, acknowledging and learning from mistakes, without becoming defensive.
• Adaptability/ Innovation - Applies original thinking in approaching job responsibilities, overcoming challenges and adjusting to changes in one’s environment.
  • Sustains effectiveness in varying environments with different tasks, responsibilities, and people in the face of ambiguity or uncertainty.
  • Courageous with ideas; generates new ideas and creative solutions that impact results.
  • Maintains flexibility to accept, embrace and lead change.
  • Responds effectively to unique needs, adapting solutions and providing creative and/or flexible options.
• Effective Communication - Ability to listen and effectively relay information to others in all forms of communication.
  • Communicates effectively and shares information appropriately with internal and external constituents through multiple mediums.
  • Interprets information, ideas, and instructions clearly in verbal and written communication.
  • Demonstrates active listening: checks for understanding and clarity by asking the right questions.
  • Maintains composure and communicates in a direct, truthful, transparent and positive manner.
• Critical Thinking - Ability to obtain, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information effectively.
  • Utilizes logical reasoning to make judgments in accordance with established professional and organizational criteria.
  • Objectively identifies goals and makes decisions by considering both short-term and long-term implications.
  • Creatively identifies opportunities to increase efficiency, simplicity and revenue (understands finite resources).
  • Effectively recognizes and considers the forces, events, entities, and people that effect a situation before making a conclusion.
• Organizational Acumen - The ability to understand and navigate governance, administration, and culture in the internal and external environment demonstrating commitment to organizational mission.
  • Acts in a decisive, timely and appropriate manner that is congruent with the organization’s values and goals.
  • Integrates and balances big picture concerns related to political, social and economic issues effecting the organization with day-to-day activities.
  • Knowledgeable of policies, practices, trends and information that impact the organization.
  • Demonstrates understanding of, alignment with, and a commitment to the university’s mission in serving our constituents.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter and resume.

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

A valid Florida driver license is required.