Assistant Development Director Jobs in Florida (NOW HIRING)

USF Advancement connects the university with donors who want to make a difference by providing philanthropic support to promote student success, research, academic excellence and other strategic priorities. With an endowment that now exceeds $700 million in value, our dedicated team of approximately 200 professionals, including 60 fundraisers, encompasses alumni, development and foundation operations. The team is responsible for raising more than $150 million annually and has broken records year after year with more than $184 million raised in fiscal year 2025.

The Assistant Director of Development is responsible for managing a portfolio of alumni, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, and grateful patients to secure philanthropic support for priorities within the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Reporting to the Director of Development, this frontline fundraising position develops and executes strategies to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors capable of making annual, leadership annual, and major gifts.

The Assistant Director serves as a collaborative partner to college leadership, faculty, volunteers, and colleagues across the USF Foundation to advance the mission of the Morsani College of Medicine through meaningful philanthropic engagement.

Employees of USF Advancement live out the values of responsibility, innovation, service, and excellence in each of its highly collaborative departments. We use trusted data and ethical AI to enhance decision-making, strengthen engagement, and enable our teams to focus on what matters most: relationships and impact.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF 

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: 

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.  This job description does not constitute an employment contract.  

This position requires a Bachelor's degree and three years of experience related to development or other appropriate professional experience. Experience in higher eucation or academic medicine fundraising is preferred.

Frontline Fundraising

Manage a portfolio of assigned prospects and donors.

Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies for each assigned prospect.

Solicit and close leadership annual and major gifts in support of college priorities.

Identify new prospects through research, referrals, events, and volunteer engagement.

Prepare gift proposals, solicitation strategies, contact reports, and stewardship plans.

Maintain accurate and timely documentation of donor interactions within the CRM system.

Build and maintain strong relationships with alumni, donors, faculty, volunteers, and community leaders.

Coordinate donor recognition and stewardship activities.

Partner with faculty and administrators to connect donor interests with institutional priorities.

Serve as a trusted ambassador for the Morsani College of Medicine and USF Health.

Strategic Initiatives and Events 

Participate in fundraising campaigns and strategic initiatives.

Assist with donor events, alumni engagement activities, White Coat Ceremony philanthropy efforts, Alumni Weekend, and other college events.

Represent the college at Foundation, university, and community events.

Collaborate with marketing and communications on donor-facing materials.

Administrative Responsibilities 

Track fundraising progress toward established goals.

Prepare reports, prospect briefings, and meeting materials.

Ensure compliance with university, Foundation, and CASE ethical standards.

Participate in staff meetings and professional development.