Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number

S15777P

Working Title

Regional Director of Development

Department

DAR-Regional Development

Position Information

Classification Title

Major Gifts Officer III

FLSA

Exempt

FTE

1.0

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

• It is preferred that the incumbent reside in Metro Atlanta. The position's primary fundraising responsibilities will focus on the Atlanta metropolitan area, while also supporting donor cultivation and fundraising efforts throughout the state of Georgia and other assigned territories as needed.
• Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of professional experience related to sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management.
• Major gift fundraising in Higher Education ($50k and up)
• Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher education
• Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information.
• Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and professional way.

Position Summary

The University of Georgia's Regional Development team plays a critical role in advancing the university's mission by building meaningful relationships with alumni, parents, and friends across the country. Through strategic engagement and major gift fundraising, Regional Directors help shape the future of UGA by connecting donors' passions and philanthropic interests with opportunities to make a lasting impact.

Regional Directors serve as trusted advisors and frontline fundraising leaders, representing the breadth and excellence of the University of Georgia to some of its most engaged constituents. Working across colleges, schools, academic units, and the UGA Athletic Association, they identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects while helping donors achieve their philanthropic goals.

Success in this role requires a highly strategic, donor-centered approach to relationship management. Regional Directors develop and execute comprehensive engagement strategies through a thoughtful blend of in-person visits, virtual outreach, and collaboration with campus partners. They are expected to maintain a robust portfolio of high-capacity prospects and conduct approximately 140 meaningful, strategic visits annually, with the majority taking place in person through intentional and coordinated outreach.

As ambassadors for the University, Regional Directors operate with a broad institutional perspective, connecting donors to opportunities across the entire UGA enterprise. They leverage their deep understanding of donor motivations, university priorities, and regional markets to maximize philanthropic investment and strengthen lifelong affinity for Georgia.

This position will be based in Atlanta, Georgia, with primary responsibility for cultivating and managing relationships throughout the Atlanta region. While building a portfolio and advancing major gift opportunities within Atlanta will be the primary focus of the role, Atlanta is a shared fundraising market that includes significant activity from multiple colleges, schools, units, and development officers. Success in this position requires a highly collaborative approach, including frequent partnership with campus-based fundraisers, central development colleagues, academic leaders, and unit-based advancement professionals to deliver a coordinated and donor-centered experience. The Regional Director will serve as a key connector across the institution, helping align philanthropic opportunities with donor interests and facilitating engagement that benefits the University as a whole.

Although Atlanta will comprise the majority of this position's portfolio and engagement activity, additional territories may be assigned as institutional priorities evolve. These assignments may include nearby regional markets or flight-based territories requiring strategic travel and coordination across multiple geographic areas.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Proven record of accomplishment of success in fundraising or similar role.
• Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high-level prospects.
• Self-starter and highly motivated.
• Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment.
• Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail and confident, strong verbal communication.
• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations.
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects.
• Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines.
• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities.
• Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas.
• Ability to respond to donors needs and concerns in a kind and professional way.

Additional Division Expectations:

• Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
• Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

• The position's primary fundraising responsibilities will focus on the Atlanta metropolitan area, while also supporting donor cultivation and fundraising efforts throughout the state of Georgia and other assigned territories as needed.
• Sit for extended periods while working at a computer workstation and during travel as required by job responsibilities
• Hold a valid driver's license
• Driving as needed to perform job duties
• Travel in and out of state
• Work evenings and weekends, as necessary
• Sit and work at a computer workstation for an extended amount of time
• Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
• Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
• Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
• Lift and/or move up to 20 pounds
• Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

Is driving a responsibility of this position?

Yes

Is this a Position of Trust?

Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?

No

Does this position require a P-Card?

No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?

No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?

No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)

Yes

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

Conduct monthly scheduled meetings with prospective donors, alumni, assigned portfolio, and UGA constituents in assigned regions. That goal, along with a fundraising goal, will be agreed upon annually during strategic planning and revisited quarterly.

• The purpose of the meetings is to discover, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward University-wide prospects and donors.
• Basic expectation of a meeting is that it is a scheduled and agreed upon face-to-face meetings between the Regional Director and the prospect.
• Territories to conduct monthly meetings include cities assigned to the Regional Director based on institutional priority, wealth ratings, and alumni density.
• Purpose of the meetings is to cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned and newly identified prospects and donors for current and deferred gifts of $50K+ to benefit any School, College, or Unit within the University of Georgia.

Percentage of time

40

Duties/Responsibilities

Design and implement fundraising strategies to secure Principal gifts ($1 million+) and major gifts ($50K+) in support of the University's strategic priorities.

• Fundraising goals are established and agreed upon annually by the Senior Regional Director and the Regional Director in consultation with the Senior Director of Regional Development.
• Develop and continue to increas