POSITION DETAILS
Employment based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.
Position Number: 130460
Classification Title: Senior Grants Specialist
Working Title: Grant Writer / Gift Officer
Department: Center for Leadership
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $63,654 - $76,385
Pay Basis: Annually
POSITION OVERVIEW
JOB SUMMARY:
The Office of Military Services Grant Writer/Gift Officer serves as a strategic leader within the University of West Florida's Office of Military Services (OMS) and Division of University Advancement, driving growth through high-impact partnerships, sponsorships, corporate giving, and formal agreements that advance UWF's commitment to service members, veterans, and their families. This role blends business development, relationship cultivation, and operational collaboration to generate revenue and resources for OMS initiatives while building deep, mission-aligned partnerships with military commands, law enforcement agencies, and private-sector organizations. The position works closely with UWF's Division of University Advancement and academic units to formalize MOUs, deliver joint training programs, and create sustainable funding streams that strengthen veteran success at UWF.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A high school diploma and seven years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in business administration, nonprofit management, public administration, education, or a related field.
Three (3) or more years of demonstrated experience in partnership development, corporate relations, sponsorship solicitation, or military/law enforcement collaboration.
Proven ability to build and maintain productive relationships with senior-level stakeholders in military, government, or corporate environments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting MOUs, proposals, and partnership agreements.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Must be eligible to work on or interact regularly with federal military installations (e.g., NAS Pensacola, Eglin AFB, etc.).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's degree in a relevant field or military officer/enlisted leadership experience.
Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in development, corporate giving, or inter-organizational partnerships.
Direct experience working with Navy, Air Force, or other DoD commands (particularly training commands such as Naval Aviation Schools Command or NETC).
Successful track record securing sponsorships, gifts, or grants.
Familiarity with higher education advancement practices and veteran/military-affiliated student support programs.
Knowledge of defense contractors and regional corporate partners aligned with UWF's military footprint.
Experience designing or delivering professional development programs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/JOB DUTIES:
- 40% - Cultivate and Manage High-Impact Military and Law Enforcement Partnerships • Identify, develop, and steward strategic relationships with military installations (NAS Pensacola, Corry Station, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, Duke Field), and other DoD units. • Coordinate and formalize Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and partnership agreements that expand educational and training opportunities for service members. • Collaborate with UWF's academic units to deliver specialized programs in support of military priorities. • Build and maintain relationships with local and federal law enforcement agencies to create pipelines for education, training, and other initiatives. • Serve as the primary OMS liaison for operational partnerships that directly support veteran and military-affiliated student success. - (Essential)
- 30% - Drive Corporate Sponsorships, Gifts, and Revenue Generation • Research, cultivate, and secure corporate sponsorships and philanthropic gifts from national and local companies to fund OMS scholarships, programs, and initiatives. • Develop compelling proposals, sponsorship packages, and impact reports that align corporate objectives with UWF's military service mission. • Work in close coordination with the Division of University Advancement to ensure alignment with university-wide fundraising priorities and stewardship standards. • Track and report on revenue goals, sponsorship deliverables, and return-on-investment metrics for all corporate engagements. - (Essential)
- 20% - Strategic Collaboration and Program Development • Partner with internal UWF stakeholders (Advancement, academic deans, enrollment management, etc.) to integrate partnership outcomes into broader university initiatives. • Design and implement joint programs that leverage external partnerships for the benefit of veterans, spouses, and dependents. • Represent OMS at military, corporate, and community events to raise visibility and generate new opportunities. • Monitor emerging trends in military education, veteran services, and corporate social responsibility to keep UWF competitive. - (Essential)
- 10% - Administration, Reporting, and Professional Development • Maintain accurate records of partnerships, agreements, and revenue activities in university systems and social media. • Prepare regular reports for OMS leadership on partnership outcomes, revenue generated, and program impact. • Participate in professional development and stay current on best practices in military-higher education partnerships and advancement. • Perform other duties as assigned to support OMS strategic goals. - (Essential)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Physical Requirements: Occasional and/or light lifting required. Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., but none to the point of being disagreeable. May involve minor safety hazards where likely results would be cuts, bruises, etc.
- Impact of Deadlines: Routine deadlines. Usually sufficient lead time. Variance in work volume, seasonal, and predictable. Priorities can be anticipated. Some interruptions are present. Involves occasional exposure to demands/pressures from persons other than immediate sup.
- Standing: Occasionally
- Walking: Occasionally
- Sitting: Frequently
- Reaching with hands and arms: Occasionally
- Climbing or balancing: Occasionally
- Stooping: Occasionally
- Use of hands to handle objects: Occasionally
- Lifting up to 10lbs: Occasionally
- Lifting up to 25lbs: Occasionally
- Lifting over 25lbs: Occasionally
- Talking as express or exchange of ideas verbally: Daily
- Hearing as perceive sound by ear: Daily
- Vision as distinguish colors & depth: Daily
Special Requirements or Considerations of the Job:
- This position requires a criminal background screening.
- This position requires fingerprinting.
- This position is eligible for veterans' preference.
Special Instructions to Applicants: Candidates must apply online through the University of West Florida website: https://careers.uwf.edu.
Applicants are required to attach a resume, cover letter and contact information for three references.
An opportunity to upload these documents will be provided during the application process. For assistance, please contact Human Resources at 850.474.2694 or email jobs@uwf.edu.
This position allows eligible veterans and their spouses to claim Veterans' Preference pursuant to Section 295.07, F.S.; applicants claiming preference are responsible for providing required documentation on or before the posting deadline date as such documentation is required for eligibility determination. Supporting documentation, in addition to the DD214, may be required based on eligibility criteria. For information on obtaining a DD214, visit http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ or call 1.866.272.6272.
At the conclusion of this search, if a non-preference eligible applicant is appointed to the position and you are a preference-eligible applicant and believe that you were not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, a written complaint requesting an investigation may be submitted to the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Blvd., Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708. Such a complaint should be filed within 60 calendar days from the date that the notice the position has been filled is received by the applicant pursuant to Sections 120.569 and 120.57, F.S.
Prior to filing a complaint, it is the responsibility of the preference-eligible applicant to contact the designated Human Resources or other contact person at least one time after 45 days have passed from the final date for submitting an application or the interview date, whichever is later in time, if the applicant has not received notice of a hiring decision.
ADDITIONAL POSTING DETAILS
Number of Vacancies: 1
Work Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
FTE: 1.0
Closing Date: 8/12/2026