Director or Senior Director, Advancement

This position reports directly to the Executive Director of Advancement, UF Health Science Center and the Dean of the College of Public Health & Health Professions (PHHP) and is responsible for the strategic leadership, cultivation and development initiatives of the College.  Under the leadership of a new Dean, the College is entering an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation and desires to strengthen and engage its development and alumni affairs impact.  The incumbent will work with the dean, associate deans and an energetic marketing and communication team to oversee and implement a broad range of programs in support of PHHP development activities including fundraising, alumni engagement and communications, and volunteer board management.  This position will also work in a matrixed organization under the leadership of the Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer for UF Health.

In the first year, emphasis will be on prospect identification and developing a donor pipeline, crafting strategy and priorities for alumni affairs engagement and development opportunities, and reassessing and working with the dean to reframe the Dean's Leadership Council/volunteer board.

THE GOLD STANDARD CULTURE
At UF Advancement we are committed to “The Gold Standard Culture” and live it through:
Our Vision: To be ranked among the best, as measured by Voluntary Support of Education
Our Mission: To be a catalyst in securing and managing private support for university priorities
Our Values:
•Excellence – Strive for greatness as an institution that brings out the best in each individual.
•Discovery & Innovation – Collaborate on the uncharted frontiers of knowledge to seek truth and make the world a better place.
•Inclusion – Celebrate differences in identities, thoughts, and abilities, and seek to provide equitable access to opportunity.
•Freedom & Civility – Embrace the freedom to inquire and express ideas without condemnation, and to show respect for the right of others to do the same.
•Community – Create a safe, welcoming community and a shared purpose that builds a sense of belonging and togetherness.
•Stewardship – Show respect for those who came before us, responsibility for those now with us, and the commitment to leave a just and habitable world for those who come after us.

Strategic Initiatives

• Assist the Dean in prioritizing development efforts and work with the Dean’s staff to schedule travel and make optimal use of travel time.  Work closely with the Dean and members of the Dean’s Leadership Council to identify new prospects and establish fundraising priorities for the College. 
• Serve as advisor to the Dean and PHHP on fundraising matters and coordinate development activities between the PHHP, UFA and UF Health.
• Effectively oversee coordination and implementation of major College evens related to alumni affairs and development, including but not limited to planning activities involving volunteers, staff, prospects and administration.
• Effectively oversee the maintenance of files and record keeping of PHHP prospective donors and engagement opportunities.
• Assist the Dean and ED/AVP of Development and/or constituent development managers in the analysis, formulation and implementation of fundraising plans and policies.
• Assist with coordination of PR and communication in the College related to development and alumni affairs.
• Enhance and oversee the stewardship process for donors.

Portfolio Management

• Build upon an existing portfolio of fundraising prospects and donors, and strategically manage relationships through consistent communication and face-to-face visits to bring gift solicitations to closure. 
• Identification, cultivation, and solicitation of new prospects focused primarily, but not limited to, $100,000 and above for the College. 
• Attend PHHP and UFA functions primarily to identify new prospects. 
• Establish and maintain contact with prospects to develop their interest and participation in major PHHP fundraising projects, provide information concerning the utilization of gifts, and identify additional engagement opportunities including, but not limited to, student experiential learning, speaker series, brand storytelling and advisory committees.
• Develop and present major gift proposals and acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and appropriate to the mission, vision and values of the unit and UFA.
• Develop support for the College by effectively involving stakeholders, such as volunteers, faculty, staff, and members of the advisory board.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead and manage the development office within PHHP.
• Build, lead and manage a strong team of development professionals within PHHP. Identify and recruit top talent and provide leadership.
• Evaluate, coach and counsel on matters relating to fundraising and accountability which includes establishing goals in alignment with unit objectives, developing metrics and strategic planning.
• Oversee staff and ensure processes are in alignment with UF Advancement’s Vision and Values of Excellence, Discovery & Innovation, Inclusion, Freedom & Civility, Community and Stewardship; use best talent management practices; 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.
• Assist the Dean with strategically organizing and managing relationships of the Dean’s Leadership Council.
• Attend senior development meetings on behalf of PHHP as organized by UFA and UF Health.
• Attend and participate in the Dean’s Operations Meeting and Executive Leadership Meeting.
• Plan and monitor the budget, using resources for best results in fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty and administration.
• Oversee the maintenance of files, contact reports, prospect tracking and records associated with development activities.
• Build collaborative, productive relationships with key leadership, colleagues, deans, department chairs and units and provide leadership to enhance strategic fundraising.

Commensurate with education and experience

For Director level:  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. One year of supervisory experience.

For Sr Director level:  Master's degree in appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience or a bachelor's degree in appropriate areas of specialization and eight years of experience.

The ideal candidate will possess:
• For hires at the Senior Director level - At least 8 years of major gift fundraising experience with documented success in cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above from individual and corporate prospects with campaign experience. For hires at the Director level - at least 5 years of major gift fundraising experience with documented success in cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above from individual and corporate 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.
• Experience in developing solicitation strategies.
• Experience in development and alumni relations and/or external affairs with demonstrated accomplishment in fostering productive relationships with volunteers and developing volunteer leadership.
• Ability to work strategically, implement and build constituency programs and activities is highly desired.
• A strong understanding of budgeting practices and financial accountability and the ability to manage resources with prudence and efficiency.
• Proven skills handling multiple priorities and work pressure.
• Must be an outstanding communicator and possess excellent written and oral communication skills; interpersonal skills; and the ability to work collegially and interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
• An appreciation for and track record of active support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; proven success working with volunteers; excellent strategic planning and project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others.
• Effective time management and organizational skills are essential for success in this position.
• Ability to work both independently and as a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside College of Public Health and Health Professions.
• The incumbent should have a working knowledge of personal computers, MS Office, WWW browsers, preferably Internet Explorer, E-mail. Experience with a donor database, contact management and tracking system.
• The ability and willingness to travel are required. A valid driver license and good driving record which meets insurance liability requirements 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:
• Relationship Mastery - Identifies, targets and strategically builds relationships with colleagues, prospects, donors and volunteers
o Establishes and maintains effective relationships; demonstrating genuine interest in the well-being and opinions of others and recognizing common ground with individuals from varying backgrounds
o Anticipates conversational direction with ability to swiftly adapt and diffuse high tension situations
o Successfully identifies the proper timing, medium and consistency to engage stakeholders
o Exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence in all interactions

• Donor Focus - Ability to establish, cultivate and steward prospects/ donors to build and maintain lifelong partnerships and trust on behalf of the institution
o Consistently searches for ways to improve the donor experience centralizing all efforts and tasks around meeting their needs
o Matches donor/prospect passions with university priorities, involving the right people and resources at the right time
o Places prospect/ donor needs ahead of personal success
o Utilizes resources, remains flexible and creatively suggests individualized engagement activities

• Tenacity - Ability to demonstrate the discipline and resilience necessary to successfully achieve goals and strategies
o Identifies and seizes opportunities, setting “stretch” goals and exceeding them (always looking for the next rung on the ladder)
o Ability to re-direct prospects from distractions and non-productive requests (in control but not seemingly in control)
o Strong commitment to close gifts (every day is a domino)
o Does not give up in the face of obstacles (master of “No”)

• Credibility - Displays responsible, reliable and trustworthy actions
o Acts in an ethical and authentic manner to support the mission of the university, demonstrating a “can do” spirit, sense of ownership, urgency and commitment
o Stay current on functional and technical aspects of one’s job seeking opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills
o Promotes and establishes trust, respect and rapport utilizing diplomacy and tact
o Fulfills commitments made to donors, colleagues and university partners

• Entrepreneurial Spirit - Ability to generate creative solutions and take risks
o Understands current environment and possesses the ability to adapt to new opportunities and challenges
o Generates innovative ideas, solutions and opportunities to positively impact results (doesn’t order from the menu)
o Learns from success and failure with a drive to succeed (hates to lose)
o Accepts, embraces and leads change

• Engaging Communication - Ability to attentively listen and express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communication
o Possesses the ability to engage and inspire
o Successfully reads verbal and non-verbal cues adapting communication style and strategy as needed
o Demonstrates active listening and understands the art of asking questions to skillfully obtain more complete information
o Commands attention when speaking and presenting to individuals or groups

• Strategic Thinking - Ability to develop strategies and plans that integrate into the organization’s mission, priorities and goals
o Ability to effectively synthesize information and data to evaluate and prioritize prospects/donors in a larger context (knows their prospects)
o Ability to document and illustrate a comprehensive engagement strategy with realistic timelines
o Collaboratively engages colleagues and academic partners and integrates their knowledge into strategy
o Ability to think big, and create bold and inspiring tactics

• Mission Driven - Fundamentally identifies with the core mission to create awareness, build relationships, generate support and recognize donors for the purpose of advancing the university
o Considers national trends and best practices of advancement within higher education
o Possesses a solid appreciation of UF history, culture and tradition
o Understands the power of philanthropy and how to engage donors toward achieving their goals
o Creates advocates for the university through the ability to “visualize dreams”, “ask”, and “close”

This position may offer flexible work arrangements such as hybrid/remote work locations and/or schedules that fall outside of the unit’s normal business hours.

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

Application review is ongoing and will continue until the position is filled.

This position is time-limited.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff. We welcome nominations of and applications from anyone who would bring additional dimensions to the university’s research, teaching, and clinical mission, including women, members of minority groups, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the U.S. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Law.