Director of Development, College of Veterinary Medicine
Job no: 540493
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Advancement, Executive/Director/Management, Veterinary Medicine/Animal Care
Department:50010000 - AD-VP ADVANCEMENT
Classification Title:
DIR, Development
Classification Minimum Requirements:
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.
Job Description:
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.
Expected Salary:
$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
The University of Florida offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn more.
Required 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:
The ideal candidate will possess:
- 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.*
*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.
Special Instructions to Applicants:
In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume and three references.
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
Work sponsorship is not available for this position.
Health Assessment Required:No
Advertised: 08 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 30 Jul 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
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