Director of Development, Regional Programs

Advancement & Partnerships: 

Join our dynamic and growing Advancement & Partnerships team as we work together to power partnerships and transform lives through philanthropy.

Together, we can unleash the potential of people and ideas to positively change the world. Your efforts on our team will help us to build the University for the Future.

The Opportunity:

The Director of Development, Regional Programs, will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy to advance the philanthropic goals of UCF. Based in South Florida, this position plays a critical role in building and strengthening donor relationships in the region and securing planned and major gifts in support of university-wide priorities. Working independently and in collaboration with the college, unit, or athletic leadership, the Director will engage alumni, parents, and community leaders through meaningful interactions and personalized engagement strategies. This position reports to senior development leadership within the Advancement & Partnerships division.

Responsibilities:

• Independently identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and planned gift prospects ($50,000+), with a strong focus on individual donors.

• Build and manage a dynamic portfolio of major and planned gift prospects in South Florida, with the goal of developing long-term philanthropic relationships.

• Conduct high-volume, high-quality face-to-face donor visits and outreach throughout the South Florida region.

• Develop compelling gift proposals aligned with university priorities and donor interests. Collaborate with UCF colleges, non-academic units, centers, or athletics to communicate funding needs and align on fundraising goals.

• Document donor strategies and contact reports in the Advancement CRM and utilize available research and prospect management tools.

• Travel frequently throughout South Florida and to UCF's main campus in Orlando as needed for collaboration and events.

• Represent the University with professionalism, passion, and purpose.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 6+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219. Click here for more information

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven track record of securing major gifts in a nonprofit, higher education, or healthcare setting.

• Familiarity with CRM systems and donor databases (e.g., Blackbaud CRM).

• Demonstrated success managing a portfolio of major gift donors and prospects.

• Knowledge of the South Florida philanthropic landscape preferred.

• Experience working in a regional fundraising capacity or with geographically dispersed donor constituencies.

• Knowledge of fundraising strategies, donor cultivation best practices, and moves management.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust with internal and external partners.

• Self-starter with the ability to work remotely, independently, and effectively within a collaborative team environment.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

The anticipated salary for a well-qualified candidate is between $75,809 and $104,238.

Advancement and Partnerships values the unique contributions that each team member brings to our division. The determination of a successful candidate's starting salary will vary based on several factors, including education and relevant experience. The anticipated pay scale indicated for this position generally applies to candidates who meet the minimum requirements and several of the preferred qualifications outlined above.

Classification Title: Development Director I

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks!  UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program 

• Paid time off, including annual and sick time off 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, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.

Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

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.

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As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.  

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.