Job Description
The Director of Development is a fundraising professional responsible for securing philanthropic support for Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (WLP) and strategic priorities across the University of South Florida.
Reporting directly to the Assistant Vice President for Affinity Programs and Executive Director of Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, this position is dedicated exclusively to development activities and serves as a key member of the USF Advancement team.
The Director of Development identifies, qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and closes major gifts from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The successful candidate will manage a portfolio of prospects and donors, develop meaningful relationships that advance donor engagement, and partner with university leadership to align philanthropic investments with institutional priorities.
This position is primarily onsite and requires flexibility to meet with donors and prospects throughout the Tampa Bay region and beyond.
Responsibilities
• Identify, cultivate, solicit and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors ($50,000+) with a focus on securing significant philanthropic support for Women in Leadership & Philanthropy and the University of South Florida.
• Identify and qualify new prospects through research, referrals, volunteer engagement, and personal outreach.
• Conduct discovery, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship meetings with prospects and donors.
• Develop and implement individualized strategies to move prospects through the donor pipeline from identification to gift commitment.
• Collaborate with advancement colleagues and university stakeholders to identify philanthropic opportunities and align donor interests with institutional needs.
• Prepare proposals, gift agreements and other donor communications that support fundraising objectives.
• Maintain accurate records of prospect activity, strategy, and outcomes within university systems.
• Meet established activity and fundraising goals, including visits, solicitations, proposal submissions, and gift commitments.
• Represent the University of South Florida and Women in Leadership & Philanthropy at donor meetings, events, and community engagements as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
This position requires Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience related to development or other appropriate professional experience. Five to seven years demonstrated experience identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and closing major ($50,000+) philanthropic gifts is preferred.
