JOB TITLE

   

Development Officer, Major Gifts

   

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

   

The Development Officer, Major Gifts, serves as a frontline fundraising professional responsible for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding donors capable of making transformational investments in Florida Polytechnic University. This position requires a highly visible, externally focused fundraiser who actively engages alumni, parents, friends, corporations, foundations, and community leaders to advance the University's strategic priorities.

The incumbent is expected to maintain a dynamic portfolio of major gift prospects, travel extensively to build and strengthen donor relationships, and independently manage the full fundraising cycle from qualification through stewardship. Success in this role is measured through achievement of annual fundraising goals, prospect activity metrics, and the development of a sustainable pipeline of future donors.

The Development Officer is expected to consistently meet or exceed established annual performance expectations, including major gift revenue targets, donor visits, solicitations, and proposal activity. Evening and weekend work, as well as frequent local, regional, and national travel, are essential components of the position.

   

JOB DESCRIPTION

   

Frontline Major Gift Fundraising (60%)

• Manage and actively engage a portfolio of approximately 100–125 major gift prospects with the capacity to make significant philanthropic investments.
• Develop and execute individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies designed to maximize philanthropic support and long-term engagement.
• Conduct face-to-face donor visits throughout Florida and nationally, utilizing in-person meetings as the primary strategy for advancing relationships.
• Maintain an active travel schedule to strengthen relationships with alumni, parents, corporations, foundations, and friends of the University.
• Prepare and present compelling major gift proposals aligned with institutional priorities and donor interests.
• Identify, qualify, and cultivate new prospects to ensure a robust and sustainable donor pipeline.
• Collaborate with University leadership, faculty, deans, and Advancement colleagues to develop strategies that lead to major gift commitments.
• Secure philanthropic commitments supporting the University's strategic initiatives, academic programs, scholarships, capital projects, and emerging priorities.
• Participate in donor recognition activities and stewardship initiatives to strengthen donor loyalty and encourage continued investment.
• Represent Florida Polytechnic University at donor events, alumni functions, community engagements, and professional meetings.

Annual Performance Expectations

• The Development Officer will be expected to meet or exceed annual performance goals established by the Vice President for Advancement, including but not limited to:
• Annual major gift fundraising goal: Minimum of $1 million in documented commitments and/or cash received.
• Donor visits: Minimum of 120 substantive donor and prospect visits annually.
• Solicitations: Minimum of 40 major gift solicitations annually.
• Major gift proposals: Minimum of 25 written proposals annually.
• Portfolio activity: Maintain an active portfolio with documented strategies and movement through the donor cycle.
• Prospect identification: Add newly qualified prospects annually to strengthen future fundraising capacity.

Planning and Administration (20%)

• Develop and implement an annual fundraising plan with measurable goals, strategies, timelines, and accountability measures.
• Utilize the University's CRM system to document donor interactions, contact reports, strategies, proposals, and outcomes within established timeframes.
• Prepare regular reports demonstrating progress toward annual fundraising metrics and goals.
• Analyze prospect activity and pipeline performance to adjust strategies and improve fundraising effectiveness.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to remain current on fundraising best practices and emerging trends.

Leadership and University Engagement (20%)

• Collaborate with University leadership to strengthen major giving to support significant initiatives.
• Collaborate with Advancement leadership to strengthen alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives.
• Develop innovative strategies that increase participation and philanthropic support among alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of the University.
• Provide support for annual giving campaigns, including Giving Day, year-end appeals, faculty and staff campaigns, and alumni initiatives.
• Foster a culture of philanthropy across the University by serving as an ambassador and advocating for institutional advancement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education

• Six years of direct fundraising and working on a campaign

• In lieu of a degree, any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree plus three years of directly related experience.

• Experience in higher education fundraising preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES (KSAs):

• Analytical Thinking (Intermediate): Ability to identify issues, obtain relevant information, relate and compare data from different sources, and identify alternative solutions.

• Critical Thinking (Intermediate): Interprets and seeks information, uses independent reasoning to diagnose the root cause of situations or issues, identifies and tests solutions, and thinks beyond what is typical or customary. Uses information to determine benefits and impact in making decisions and/or recommendations.

• Project/Program/Service Management (Intermediate): Ability to coordinate and administer programs/project activities and

• protocols. Ability to manage resources, monitor activities, and assess risks and quality issues associated with the program/project.

• Written and Oral Communications (Expert): Ability to present information to individuals or groups; ability to deliver presentations suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience. Ability to convey information clearly and concisely to groups or individuals, either verbally or in writing, to ensure that they understand the information and the message. Ability to listen and respond

• appropriately to others. Ability to impact and influence others to further the institution’s strategic objectives.

• Ability to interpret and articulate the mission of Florida Polytechnic University and interact with stakeholders from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds.

• Ability to represent the University with tact and diplomacy, and maintain confidentiality along with discretion.

• Must possess computer proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Experience utilizing CRM systems preferred.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE:       This position is salary exempt.  The normal work schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., However, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required.   Regular travel will be required.

LOCATION/WORK MODEL: Full-time/On-site

Note: Employment-based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.

TARGET HIRING SALARY:  $90,000 - $135,000, commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATE:  The position may be open for 14 days; however, the review of applications will commence immediately.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
In addition to completing the online application, all applicants are required to upload the following as attachments to the application (preferably in PDF format).

• Cover Letter

• Resume

• Three (3) Professional References

If any of these three items are not included, you will not be considered for the position.
References will not be contacted unless you are selected as a finalist for the position.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION

Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.

Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.

RETIREMENT

Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click Here for more information. 

OTHER BENEFITS

• Discounts & Perks

• Annual Leave

• To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holiday