Director of Development

Advancement & Partnerships

Join our dynamic and growing Advancement & Partnerships team as we work together to power partnerships and transform lives through philanthropy.

Together, we can unleash the potential of people and ideas to positively change the world. Your efforts on our team will help us to build the University for the Future.

UCF's Advancement & Partnerships seeks an experienced fundraiser to join their team as a Director of Development. The Director of Development for the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) is responsible for securing major gifts of $25,000+ by cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding alumni, parents, friends, and community partners. This position plays a pivotal role in advancing the college's priorities and UCF's mission by building meaningful relationships with current and prospective donors.

The Director will independently manage a portfolio of major gift donors, develop and implement fundraising strategies, and partner with the Dean, faculty, and leadership to drive philanthropic growth for CECS initiatives.

Classification

Title:

Development Director I

• Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects/donors, with a focus on individuals, through discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Design and implement fundraising strategies that support the needs and priorities of CECS and UCF.
• Conduct face-to-face visits and develop donor-centered proposals to secure major gifts.
• Collaborate with the Dean and division leadership to expand the fundraising pipeline and strengthen engagement of advisory board members.
• Ensure effective use of prospect management tools, research, contact reports, and our CRM database.
• Acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and aligned with UCF's strategic plan, vision, and values.
• Maintain best practices in office systems, records, acknowledgments, and stewardship activities.
• Perform related duties as required to advance the college's fundraising success.

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

• Demonstrated experience identifying, cultivating, and closing major gifts of $25,000 or more from individual donors.
• Experience as a frontline fundraiser, gift officer, nonprofit development professional, or similar relationship-driven revenue generation role.
• Experience in higher education advancement, nonprofit fundraising, healthcare philanthropy, alumni engagement, or a related fundraising environment.
• Experience building and managing donor, prospect, client, or partner relationships through a portfolio-based engagement cycle.
• Experience developing donor-centered proposals, gift agreements, or persuasive fundraising materials.
• Proficiency with Blackbaud, Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, or comparable fundraising, donor management, or CRM platforms.
• Ability to travel in and out of state for meetings and events as needed.

The most successful candidates may possess the following qualities:

• Strong communication, active listening, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage a variety of donor and partner audiences.
• Demonstrated initiative, resilience, and self-motivation in a goal-oriented fundraising or revenue-generating environment.
• Strategic thinker with excellent organizational skills, able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Familiarity with or interest in UCF, CECS, STEM-related fields, or university advancement.

• The anticipated salary for a well-qualified candidate is between $85,285 and $104,238. Advancement and Partnerships values the unique contributions that each team member brings to our division. The final determination of a successful candidate's starting salary will vary based on several factors, including education and relevant experience. The anticipated pay scale indicated for this position generally applies to candidates who meet the minimum requirements and several of the preferred qualifications outlined above.
  
  All offers are contingent on successful background and reference screens.
• All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.
• Classification
  
  Title:
  
  Development Director I

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country.

You'll be met with opportunities to connect and…