Director/Senior Director of Regional Development, South Florida

Classification Title:

SR DIR, Development

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Senior Director: Master’s degree in appropriate area of specialization and six years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor’s degree in appropriate areas of specialization and eight years of experience.

Director: 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:

Could your South Florida connections help impact the future of higher education that lasts for generations? The University of Florida is seeking a purposeful and partnership-minded Director/Senior Director of Development for Regional Development to lead major and principal gift efforts in South Florida. This role is all about building transformative connections - cultivating donors with the capacity for gifts of $100,000 and above and aligning their passions with UF’s bold vision for teaching, research, and innovation.

This role is based in South Florida, and the ideal candidate has established connections and a deep understanding of the region. Reporting to the Interim Senior Assistant Vice President of Development, you will work closely with university leaders, faculty, and volunteers to design tailored engagement strategies that turn vision into impact.

Portfolio Management

• Responsible for the identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal prospects.
• Focus on individual, corporate, and foundation prospects rated at a capacity of $100,000 or above with particular focus on $1M+ commitments.
• Assess and refine the portfolio by identifying new high-net-worth individuals and families with the capacity and affinity to support institutional priorities.
• 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.

Strategic Initiatives

• Partner with university leaders and academic units to design and execute complex, multi-step donor strategies that lead to significant philanthropic investments.
• Build and manage relationships, utilizing a strategic moves management approach to yield maximum philanthropic support in a timely fashion.
• Work cross-functionally with faculty, academic administrators, and development colleagues to align donor interests with institutional priorities, including those outlined in UF’s strategic plan and campaign goals.
• Develop and present concept papers and gift proposals and acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors.
• Contribute to the success of UF’s current and future comprehensive campaigns by advancing principal gift-level solicitations and supporting campaign leadership.

Donor Engagement

• Organize and facilitate high-level engagement experiences, including campus visits, and personalized briefings and engagement opportunities to deepen prospect relationships.
• Ensure exceptional donor stewardship through customized reporting, naming opportunities, and long-term relationship management.

University of Florida
At the University of Florida, we are feeding communities, healing coastlines, exploring space, curing diseases, powering cities, building industries, and imagining wonders.  As the state’s most comprehensive university, UF is a land, sea, and space grant institution with ties to every Florida county, a top academic medical center, and much more.  The ideas born here gather steam and make tangible impacts. Florida is among the nation’s leaders in technology transfer, turning discoveries into companies, products, and jobs. Come join us—let’s see where we can go together.

Expected Salary:

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience and final role classification, aligned with market standards for South Florida.

The University of Florida offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Affordable State Health Plans (National Coverage): Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Comprehensive Coverage: Life and disability insurance
• Secure Retirement Options: Generous plans to safeguard your future
• Inclusive 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