Sr. Director of Development, College of Education

Job Description

The USF Development Office builds relationships, generates interest, and inspires confidence among the university's constituents to attract private funding. Private gifts are used to advance teaching, research creative expression, and promote community engagement. The Development Office is the fundraising unit of the USF Foundation Inc. and the Division of University Advancement with 60+ fundraisers expected to raise $100+ million dollars annually.

Reporting to the Sr. Associate Vice President for Development, the Senior Director of Development serves as the Chief Development Officer for the College of Education, providing strategic leadership and oversight of a comprehensive advancement program. This position is responsible for developing and executing a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the College's priorities and the University of South Florida's institutional goals. The Senior Director plays a leadership role in driving transformational philanthropy, including and establishing and managing prospect and donor relationships through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Responsibilities

Fundraising

Build and manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects, with an emphasis on major and principal gifts ($100,000+, with a strategic focus on $250,000+ and above), including complex and multi-year commitments.

Personally lead and close complex, blended gift structures, including planned gifts, endowments, and corporate/foundation partnerships.

Serve as the philanthropy advisor to the dean and help to facilitate key relationships in pursuit of impactful gifts to the college.

Collaboration

Intentionally build and invest in developing strong relationships with the College of Education leaders and faculty to promote a culture of philanthropy.

Identify and facilitate opportunities for university leaders and colleagues to support the cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors.

Develop strong relationships with Advancement leadership, staff and departments to leverage the tools and resources available to ensure prospects and donors have a meaningful experience with USF.

Work collaboratively with colleges/schools/units/regional campuses and central advancement offices, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Alumni Association, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, and Gift Planning.

Program and Staff Leadership

Lead the strategic planning, goal setting, implementation, and overall management of the College of Education's comprehensive advancement program, including major and principal gifts, planned giving, annual giving, donor relations, and alumni engagement.

Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy in partnership with the Dean and Advancement leadership, establishing clear priorities, performance metrics, and goals aligned with College and University objectives.

Serve as the senior philanthropy advisor to the Dean, providing strategic counsel on donor engagement, philanthropic positioning, and external relationship management.

Supervise and mentor assigned development and support staff, including conducting regular meetings, tracking progress toward goals, providing performance feedback, and supporting professional growth and development.

Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, Gift Planning, and Alumni Relations, to advance priority initiatives and complex gift opportunities. Engage with and support volunteer leadership and advisory councils to strengthen philanthropic advocacy and external engagement.

Professional Development

Constantly seek an up-to-date understanding of initiatives and programs (product knowledge) at the College of Education and the University of South Florida.

Stay abreast of industry trends to integrate best practices into daily work.

Collaborate with leaders and colleagues at USF to create an environment that fosters continuous learning.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This position requires a Bachelor's degree and 7 years of fundraising…