Job Description

The Assistant Vice President of Development will serve as an integral member of the senior leadership team, responsible for developing and driving campaign strategies, annual goals, and prospect strategy that align with both campaign and college/unit goals. Reporting to the Vice President for UF Advancement, the incumbent will oversee and be responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships with leadership giving prospects at $1+ million level in the following colleges/units: Institute of Food and Agriculture Science (IFAS), Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, College of Health and Human Performance (HHP), Harn Museum of Art, and University Initiatives. Most importantly, the Assistant VP will serve as a strategist, focusing and building campaign initiatives and setting organizational priorities to create the foundation for prospects in the future.

Primary responsibilities include the following:

Portfolio Management

• Build, develop and manage an individual portfolio of approximately 25 prospects/donors focusing on major, leadership, and principal gifts while working toward a $5 million goal (over the first two years). Strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits to bring gift solicitations to closure.
• Convene teams to build and manage relationships to focus on the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects at $1+ million.
• Build and nurture effective working relationships with alumni, parents, friends, volunteers and employees.
• Responsible for communicating campaign priorities within the context of the overall Advancement mission, goals and objectives.

Manage High-Performing Teams

• Lead high performing teams to cultivate $1+ million gift strategies; identify and recruit top talent and provide leadership, counsel and assistance to senior directors of the assigned colleges/units on matters relating to fundraising, accountability and staffing. Work with senior directors on strategic planning efforts to establish college/unit and individual performance goals and associated metrics.
• Directly oversee the following colleges/units: Institute of Food and Agriculture Science (IFAS), Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, College of Health and Human Performance (HHP), Harn Museum of Art, and University Initiatives.  Work with unit/academic leaders and development staff to identify funding opportunities, advise on effective development organization, strategies and techniques, and carry out cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies utilizing a moves management approach. The development programs within the units are managed collaboratively and have a dual reporting structure with the academic leaders of the units.  The incumbent will have a key strategic role in retention, development, and recruiting employees for each respective unit.
• Each year, the incumbent should focus on growing programs at a rate of approximately 7.5%-10%, which is higher than the national average.
• Oversee programming, staff and resources including: managing the team using talent management best practices in alignment with the Vision of TB2 and UF Advancement’s Vision, Mission, Values in a diverse and inclusive environment. 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.
• Research industry standards, trends, breakthroughs and best practices. Implement changes accordingly to maintain competitiveness among peers and to meet agreed upon goals and objectives as determined by strategic planning goals. Identify and implement best practices to support a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Plan and monitor the budget, maximizing resources for best results in fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty and administration.

Special Initiatives

• Lead and oversee development performance metrics and analytics to measure and strengthen fundraising effectiveness and outcomes to include the Annual Performance Plans (APP’s) process for assigned colleges/units.
• Develop a pipeline in collaboration with Operations, Prospect Strategy and Research, and individual development officers to increase the capacity and strengthen their portfolios by increasing the number of prospects under management and raising the major gift levels.
• Lead, design, develop, and execute priority projects that are identified (and mutually agreed upon) annually.
• Develop, implement, and manage strategies to increase giving.
• Serve as the Development liaison to Donor Relations to assist in driving stewardship activities.
• Oversee and assist with UF Honors Program events and initiatives to engage UF alumni, donors, and prospects.
• Communicate with staff to ensure Advancement maintains appropriate relationship with both academic and staff members who are responsible for admissions in college and units (upper division and graduate levels).

Minimum Requirements

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and ten years of appropriate experience with demonstrated success soliciting gifts at $1 million and above in an institution of higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Eight to ten years of senior-level, major gift fundraising experience with a proven record of success preferred.
• 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.
• A deep appreciation for and ability to articulate the goals and ambitions of the University of Florida, especially with respect to the case for philanthropic support.
• 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 diverse constituency.
• Organizational skills in an institution of higher education.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning and management skills.
• The ability to motivate others in a team-oriented organization.
• Ability to act in a leadership role, handle multiple priorities and work pressure, and understand the needs of staff and coworkers.
• Strong organizational time management skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively and be a team player.
• Successful management style characterized by a commitment to collaboration and creativity.
• The incumbent should have a working knowledge of personal computers, MS Office, internet browsers, preferably Internet Explorer, email.  Experience with a donor database, contact management and tracking system.
• An appreciation for and support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; proven success working with stakeholders; excellent strategic planning and project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
• The ability and willingness to travel.