Assistant Vice President

AST VP, Development

The Assistant Vice President of Development will serve as an integral member of the senior leadership team, responsible for developing and driving organizational strategies, annual goals, and prospect strategy that align with the University priorities. Reporting to the Interim Vice President for UF Advancement, the incumbent will oversee and be responsible for identifying and cultivating relationships with leadership giving and principal gifts prospects at $1+ million level for several colleges/units. Most importantly, the Assistant VP will serve as a strategist, focusing and building campaign initiatives and setting organizational priorities to create the foundation for prospects in the future.

Portfolio Management

• Build, develop and manage an individual portfolio of approximately 30 prospects/donors focusing on major, leadership, and principal gifts). Strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits to bring gift solicitations to closure.
• Convene teams to build and manage relationships to focus on the identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of prospects at $1+ million.
• Build and nurture effective working relationships with alumni, parents, friends, volunteers and employees.
• Responsible for communicating campaign priorities within the context of the overall Advancement mission, goals and objectives.

Manage High-Performing Teams

• Lead high performing teams to cultivate $1+ million gift strategies; provide leadership, counsel and assistance to senior directors of the assigned colleges/units on matters relating to fundraising, accountability and staffing. Work with senior directors on strategic planning efforts to establish college/unit and individual performance goals and associated metrics.
• Directly oversee several colleges/units. Work with unit/academic leaders and development staff to identify funding opportunities, advise on effective development organization, strategies and techniques, and carry out cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies utilizing a moves management approach. The development programs within the units are managed collaboratively and have a dual reporting structure with the academic leaders of the units. The incumbent will have a key strategic role in retention, development, and recruiting employees for each respective unit.
• Each year, the incumbent should focus on growing programs at a rate of approximately 7.5%-10
• Oversee programming, staff and resources including: managing the team using talent management best practices in alignment with UF Advancement's Vision and Values of Excellence, Discovery & Innovation, Inclusion, Freedom & Civility, Community and Stewardship. Ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, and analysis, and the Advance database.
• Research industry standards, trends, breakthroughs and best practices. Implement changes accordingly to maintain competitiveness among peers and to meet agreed upon goals and objectives as determined by strategic planning goals. Identify and implement best practices to support a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Plan and monitor the budget, maximizing resources for best results in fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty and administration.

Special Initiatives

• Lead, design, develop, and execute priority projects that are identified (and mutually agreed upon) annually, to include developing an innovative fundraising strategy that support the University Priorities and in preparation for the next campaign.
• Lead and oversee development performance metrics and analytics to measure and strengthen fundraising effectiveness and outcomes to include the Annual Performance Plans (APP's) process for assigned colleges/units.
• Develop a pipeline in collaboration with Operations, Prospect Strategy and Research, and individual development officers to increase the capacity and strengthen their portfolios by increasing the number of prospects under management and raising the major gift levels.
• Develop, implement, and manage strategies to increase giving.

Commensurate with education and experience

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of appropriate experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and ten years of appropriate experience with demonstrated success soliciting gifts at $1 million and above in an institution of higher education.

The successful candidate will possess:

• Seven to ten years of major gift fundraising experience with documented success in cultivating and soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above from individual and corporate prospects with campaign experience.
• Prior experience in a college or university setting, enthusiasm for fundraising in a comprehensive research university, and the desire to work collegially within a goal-oriented fundraising organization.
• Prior work with volunteers and soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards.
• Expertise in developing solicitation strategies.
• The ability to work strategically, develop and implement constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
• Business acumen and the ability to work collaboratively and as a team player.
• Competency in problem solving.
• Must be an outstanding communicator and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; interpersonal skills; and the ability to work collegially and interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
• An appreciation for and support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; proven success working with stakeholders; excellent strategic planning and project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
• 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.
• The ability and willingness to travel. A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.*

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume and three references. Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

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