Assistant Director of Development

The Advancement Office for the College of the Arts seeks an Assistant Director of Development to be responsible for the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of mid-range donor development programs and lead the college’s alumni affairs program and events.   Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, this position will qualify and identify prospects, cultivate, and close both annual giving and mid-range gifts up to $50,000.  The incumbent will serve as a strategic partner with the College of the Arts and UF Advancement and will design solicitation strategies on a case-by-case basis, being cognizant of development office and college needs and procedures.  We are looking for applicants with knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards and experience in development, alumni affairs, education, public relations, external affairs and/or higher education with specific experience in developing solicitation strategies.

The University of Florida College of the Arts intends to be a transformative community, responding to and generating foundational shifts in the arts and beyond.  As business and academic professionals, artists, scholars, advisors, and teachers, we, the staff of the College, embrace the complexity of our evolving human experience and seek to empower our colleagues, students, and faculty to respond to and shape that experience fearlessly through critical thinking, creativity, constructive questioning, and respectful dialogue. We seek a colleague who engages with openness and enthusiasm for the work and the mission of the college. We seek a colleague who possesses skills in designing and facilitating work that advances curiosity, inclusion, open intellectual discourse, and the well-being of all in an environment of complex diversity. We seek a colleague who identifies as a trusted steward of resources, balancing institutional requirements and the demand for innovative solutions.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty, seeking faculty of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. 

Responsibilities:  
Almost half of the position is centered around identification and management of prospect portfolios, being responsible for identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of mid-range gift prospects with a focus on individual, corporate and foundation prospects where gifts are assessed at $50K and below, building a portfolio of prospects and managing those relationships, attending functions such as the Orange and Blue Weekend, Homecoming, athletic events advisory board meetings, award ceremonies, and more, to identify new prospects.

The next largest area of responsibility is alumni affairs and annual giving, being responsible for the implementation of a broad range of alumni affairs activities including alumni events and special fundraising projects that target individuals, corporations, and foundations to support the annual fund of the College of the Arts. Examples include Giving Day, 40-under-40, Grand Guard, Gator 100.  These responsibilities also include:

• Supporting College of the Arts advisory boards, including Friends of Music, Friends of Theatre + Dance, and the Gator Band Alumni Association
• Serving as liaison between the college and UF Alumni Association (UFAA)
• Coordinating all College UFAA events and programs
• Serving as liaison between college and the UF Advancement Annual Giving Team
• Identifying and soliciting sponsorships for college functions such as Spotlight, Cadenza, symposiums, outreach events, and reunions while maintaining corporate relationships. 

The last major area of responsibility is in strategic initiatives and development administration which includes working with COTA leadership, the Senior Director of Advancement, other members of the COTA Advancement team, and UF Advancement to identify and research alumni and friend prospects in targeted campaign priority areas and to identify top prospects for campaign leadership on boards/committees and/or key stakeholder meetings.  This position works with the Senior Director of Advancement to develop and implement strategy for securing major gifts in these areas including an advancement plan to inform constituents and identified markets about the funding needs and gift opportunities in these specific areas and assists the with strategic planning and support activities and events involving volunteers and prospects. 

As part of this focus, the incumbent would:

• Develop and present major gift proposals and acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and appropriate to the vision, mission, and values of the unit, and UF Advancement
• Assist with writing the content for proposals, development brochures, case statements, and other development materials as needed
• Provide writing support for major donors and individual contribution letters and acknowledgements by composing a compelling case for support through strategic storytelling.
• Conduct research on local, regional and national foundations giving programs, and identify available funding sources that will advance the mission and strategic direction of the University of Florida. 
• Develop grant proposals to federal, state, private organizations and foundations and other institutions, persuasively communicating the vision, mission and programs to potential funders.

Gift and Donor Stewardship occupies the smallest percentage of the responsibilities, being responsible for coordinating/assisting alumni and donor stewardship programs for the college and assisting the Senior Director of Advancement in oversight of scholarship recipient communications, donor communications including thank you, bereavement, and stewardship.  Additionally, the incumbent will draft correspondence to donors, prospects, alumni and corporations for the development office and Dean and assist the COTA Advancement team with the review of documentation of donations for accuracy and ensure that donors receive proper gift credit, including gift acknowledgements and related stewardship.

THE GOLD STANDARD CULTURE
At UF Advancement we are committed to “The Gold Standard Culture” and live it through:
Our Vision: To be ranked among the best, as measured by Voluntary Support of Education
Our Mission: To be a catalyst in securing and managing private support for university priorities
Our Values:

• Excellence – Strive for greatness as an institution that brings out the best in each individual.
• Discovery & Innovation – Collaborate on the uncharted frontiers of knowledge to seek truth and make the world a better place.
• Inclusion – Celebrate differences in identities, thoughts, and abilities, and seek to provide access to opportunity.
• Freedom & Civility – Embrace the freedom to inquire and express ideas without condemnation, and to show respect for the right of others to do the same.
• Community – Create a safe, welcoming community and a shared purpose that builds a sense of belonging and togetherness.
• Stewardship – Show respect for those who came before us, responsibility for those now with us, and the commitment to leave a just and habitable world for those who come after us.

$63,500 with a comprehensive and highly competitive leave and benefits package*

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications: Listed in order of importance:

• The ability and willingness to travel.  A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.  
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards.
• Experience in development, alumni affairs, education, public relations, external affairs and/or higher education. Expertise in developing solicitation strategies.
• Evidence of sophisticated communication skills (verbal and written)
• Evidence of sophisticated interpersonal skills and the ability to work collegiality and interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
• Evidence of strong organization skills with a focus on detail and fiscal oversight.**
• Experience in or evidence of skills in project management.
• Evidence of skill in designing and facilitating work that advances curiosity, inclusion, open intellectual discourse, and the well-being of all in an environment of complex diversities.
• Prior experience in a college or university setting, enthusiasm for fundraising in a comprehensive research university and the desire to work collegiality within a goal-oriented fundraising organization.  The ability to lead, influence and motivate others.  Ability to work collaboratively and proactively to meet team needs.
• Three to five years fundraising experience with proven success soliciting gifts of $5,000-$50,000 strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated accomplishment working strategically and fostering productive relationships with volunteers, developing volunteer leadership, and proven success working with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in a data-driven environment.
• Working knowledge in these areas:  Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, WWW browsers, preferably Internet Explorer, E-mail.  Working knowledge of a donor database, contact management and tracking system.
  
  **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. 

WORK SCHEDULE and LOCATION

Schedule: Mon-Friday 8am-5pm.  Considerable after-hours and weekend activities are essential to satisfactory performance. Extensive travel is required.

Location: UF main campus - Gainesville,FL. Potential for hybrid (campus and remote) work location arrangement.

Travel: This position will operate vehicles for an assigned business purpose as a “frequent driver” (3+/month)

Application Process: All application documents must be submitted by May 2nd, 2024 11:55 p.m. (ET).

Applications must be submitted via the University of Florida’s online application system. Online applications must include the following: (1) a detailed letter of application that explains how you match the particular qualifications of this position and how your work and perspective will contribute to and enhance our transformative community;(2) a resume; (3) names and contact information of three professional references.

The Search Committee may request additional materials at a later time. 

Inquiries may be sent to:
Lula Dawit, Senior Director of Advancement
Chair, Assistant Director of Development Search
Email: ldawit@arts.ufl.edu

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call +1 (352) 392- 2477or the Florida Relay System at +1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

THE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS: The mission of the College of the Arts is to be a transformative community, responding to and generating paradigmatic shifts in the arts and beyond.  We achieve the university’s mission by training professionals and educating students as artists and scholars, while developing their capacities for critical study, creative practice, and provocation.  The College offers baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Approximately 1,700 students are pursuing majors in degrees offered by the College of the Arts under the direction of 130 faculty members in its three accredited schools— the School of Art + Art History, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre + Dance, and in the Center for Arts in Medicine, the Digital Worlds Institute, and the Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship. In addition, the college comprises the University Galleries, and the University level of the New World School of the Arts in Miami. 

The University of Florida: The University of Florida is a comprehensive learning institution built on a land grant foundation, ranked one of the top five best public universities in the nation in U.S. News & World Report. We are The Gator Nation, a diverse community dedicated to excellence in education and research and shaping a better future for Florida, the nation and the world. Our mission is to enable our students to lead and influence the next generation and beyond for economic, cultural and societal benefit. UF is a graduate research institution with more than 50,000 students and membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities. Gainesville, which is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s most livable cities, is located midway between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Together, the University and the community comprise the educational, medical and cultural center of North Central Florida, with outstanding resources such as the University of Florida Performing Arts (Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, the Squitieri Studio Theatre, the Baughman Center, University Auditorium), the Harn Museum of Art, the Florida Museum of Natural History and in the community, the Hippodrome State Theatre and Dance Alive National Ballet.

*In addition to salary, the University of Florida (UF) offers low cost State Health plans, a number of Dental plans to fit you and your family’s needs, and Vision. Domestic partner coverage through GatorCare is also available. Optional plans such as life, disability, legal and accident insurance are also available.

UF provides a variety of leave programs including vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, personal leave days, and family medical leave. TEAMS employees accrue approximately 22 vacation days annually, 13 sick days annually, and 4 personal leave days, typically used during the holiday closing period (accruals based on full-time employment). UF also provides you the flexibility to deal with life’s challenges by offering paid family leave, eight full weeks of leave over a 24-month period.

Build a retirement roadmap with competitive pension plans, investment accounts and a host of voluntary add-ons, such as 457 deferred compensation and 403(b) plans.

UF Employees are also eligible for the GatorPerks discount program, which provides big savings at various business and retailers!

Explore UF’s plethora of benefit options here: TEAMS Benefits