Associate Director, Development

Job Description Unleash YOUR Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institute, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role in pushing us forward to become among the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges, and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. We’re seeking qualified, motivated individuals who will help UCF fulfill its mission of unleashing the potential of every individual, enriching the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propelling broad-based prosperity for the many communities we serve.

 

Advancement & Partnerships

We power partnerships and transform lives through philanthropy. Your efforts on our team will transform the lives of many students, enable innovative faculty research projects, equip centers and institutes of service to diverse populations, and forge strategic partnerships.

 

UCF's Advancement & Partnerships division comprises the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving and the UCF Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to assist donors wishing to offer private support to deliver resources beyond traditional funding sources, such as tuition, state support and government research grants. We are a powerful team of 130+ professionals who support the university by soliciting, accepting and managing gifts as well as engaging alumni. Together, we work with alumni, friends, corporations, parents and others who seek to make gifts in support of priorities and initiatives in alignment with the university's strategic plan.

 

The Opportunity:

UCF Advancement & Partnerships is seeing an Associate Director of Development for Athletics. This role develops and implements yearly strategic fundraising plans for a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects ($25,000+), conducting appropriate identification, discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities for major gifts within UCF Athletics. 

  

Responsibilities:

• Assists with the strategic development, execution, and management of major gift action plans toward the achievement of Advancement goals and objectives in accordance with NCAA, IRS, UCFAA and UCF Foundation rules and regulations.
• Assists with the development and coordination of a progressive communications and solicitations program to donors and prospects through direct mail, targeted appeals, e-information/e-solicitation, automated telephone solicitations / telethons, website management, and publications collateral.
• Manages comprehensive solicitation strategies and portfolio of  prospects, including personal solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship of gifts. Secures, plans, and engages in face-to-face donor visits.
• Manages volunteer representatives, sport specific groups, varsity club, and other development groups as assigned.
• Prepares support documentation for gift acceptance in accordance with UCF Foundation accounting procedures.
• Helps to facilitate coordination of premium seating for donors.
• Prepares and directs preparation of major proposals, solicitation letters and other cultivation materials for prospects and donors Job Description Unleash YOUR Potential With Us
  As a next-generation public research institute, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role in pushing us forward to become among the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges, and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. We’re seeking qualified, motivated individuals who will help UCF fulfill its mission of unleashing the potential of every individual, enriching the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propelling broad-based prosperity for the many communities we serve.
   
  Advancement & Partnerships
  We power partnerships and transform lives through philanthropy. Your efforts on our team will transform the lives of many students, enable innovative faculty research projects, equip centers and institutes of service to diverse populations, and forge strategic partnerships.
   
  UCF's Advancement & Partnerships division comprises the Office of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving and the UCF Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to assist donors wishing to offer private support to deliver resources beyond traditional funding sources, such as tuition, state support and government research grants. We are a powerful team of 130+ professionals who support the university by soliciting, accepting and managing gifts as well as engaging alumni. Together, we work with alumni, friends, corporations, parents and others who seek to make gifts in support of priorities and initiatives in alignment with the university's strategic plan.
   
  The Opportunity:
  UCF Advancement & Partnerships is seeing an Associate Director of Development for Athletics. This role develops and implements yearly strategic fundraising plans for a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects ($25,000+), conducting appropriate identification, discovery, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities for major gifts within UCF Athletics. 
    
  Responsibilities:
  • Assists with the strategic development, execution, and management of major gift action plans toward the achievement of Advancement goals and objectives in accordance with NCAA, IRS, UCFAA and UCF Foundation rules and regulations.
  • Assists with the development and coordination of a progressive communications and solicitations program to donors and prospects through direct mail, targeted appeals, e-information/e-solicitation, automated telephone solicitations / telethons, website management, and publications collateral.
  • Manages comprehensive solicitation strategies and portfolio of  prospects, including personal solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship of gifts. Secures, plans, and engages in face-to-face donor visits.
  • Manages volunteer representatives, sport specific groups, varsity club, and other development groups as assigned.
  • Prepares support documentation for gift acceptance in accordance with UCF Foundation accounting procedures.
  • Helps to facilitate coordination of premium seating for donors.
  • Prepares and directs preparation of major proposals, solicitation letters and other cultivation materials for prospects and donors.
  • Minimum Qualifications:
    Bachelor's or Master's degree and 4+ years of relevant experience 
     
    Preferred Qualifications:
    • Experience in college-level athletics fundraising

    • Demonstrated success in direct personal solicitation of gifts

    • Proficiency in CRM systems such as Blackbaud CRM, Raisers Edge, or Salesforce

    • Successful major gift fundraising experience with a proven track record of success securing gifts at the six-figure level and higher.

    •  Expertise in relationship building with new donors while maintaining ongoing relationships.

    •  Excellent analytical, organizational, and time management skills.

    • Able to travel the state of Florida or U.S. as necessary to accomplish goals.

    • Ability and comfort working in an environment that places a strong emphasis on established goals, metrics, and success.

    • Experience working in a complex University environment.

      
    Are Benefits Important to You?
    Working at UCF has its perks!  In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:
    • Benefits packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program

    • Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays

    • Retirement savings options

    • Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions

    • Education assistance

    • Flexible work environment

    • And more…For more benefits information, go to the UCF Employee Benefits page and click here.

     
    Who Are We?
    Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, Ph.D.s., certificates, and more.
     
    Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.