Sr. Director of Development, College of Education

The USF Development Office builds relationships generates interest and inspires confidence among the universitys 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 Colleges priorities and the University of South Floridas 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.

Fundraising

Build and manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects with an emphasis on major and principal gifts ($100000 with a strategic focus on $250000 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 Educations 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.

This position requires a Bachelors degree and 7 years of fundraising experience or other appropriate related experience including one year of supervisory experience. Masters degree and 810 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience including demonstrated success closing six- and seven-figure gifts is preferred. CFRE strongly preferred.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree.
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate ( is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required not to exceed:
(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelors degree;
(c) Six years of direct experience for a masters degree;
(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure certification or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.