AST DIR, Development

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of relevant experience.

Position: Full-time, 12-month staff (TEAMS) position
Date of Expected Hire: As soon as possible.  Start date is negotiable based on successful applicant’s availability
Salary: $53,500 - $60,000 with a comprehensive and highly competitive leave and benefits package

Do you believe in the power of the arts to inspire, connect, and transform lives? Are you excited by the idea of fueling that impact through meaningful philanthropy? The College of the Arts is seeking an enthusiastic, relationship-driven Assistant Director of Development to join our team. Reporting to the Director of Advancement, this role manages a mid-level fundraising portfolio and partners with alumni and donors who are passionate about preparing the next generation of artists, thinkers, and cultural leaders. The Assistant Director engages donors with giving potential up to $50,000 through thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, while helping shape alumni engagement, annual giving, and special fundraising events. Collaboration is key—you will work closely with the UF Alumni Association, UF Annual Giving, and creative partners across campus to secure event sponsorships and support advisory boards. This is an ideal opportunity for a fundraiser who is energized by storytelling, motivated by mission, and excited to champion a brighter future fueled by the arts.

The University of Florida College of the Arts intends to be a transformative community, responding to and generating foundational shifts in the arts and beyond.  As business and academic professionals, artists, scholars, advisors, and teachers, we, the staff of the College, embrace the complexity of our evolving human experience and seek to empower our colleagues, students, and faculty to respond to and shape that experience fearlessly through critical thinking, creativity, constructive questioning, and respectful dialogue. We seek a colleague who engages with openness and enthusiasm for the work and the mission of the college. We seek a colleague who possesses skills in designing and facilitating work that advances curiosity, respect, open intellectual discourse, and the welcome incorporation and well-being of all in an environment of complex differences. We seek a colleague who identifies as a trusted steward of resources, balancing institutional requirements and the demand for innovative solutions.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution. 

Responsibilities: 

Approximately half of this position is portfolio management.  Primary activities in this area include:

• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward mid‑range gift prospects (individuals, corporations, and foundations) for gifts of $50K and below.
• Build and manage a portfolio of fundraising prospects, advancing relationships and gift conversations through face-to-face visits, substantive contacts, and personalized stewardship.
• Manage foundation giving efforts by identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding foundation prospects. 
• In coordination with the Director of Advancement, attend College and UF Advancement functions primarily to identify new prospects.  These events include but are not limited to Orange & Blue weekend, UF Homecoming, Gator athletic events, Outstanding Young Alumni Awards, Research Showcase, advisory board meetings, college award ceremonies, commencement, college reunions and alumni receptions, Dean’s receptions, UFF Board weekend activities, special lecture series events, state association receptions and professional organization events. 

Approximately one third of this position centers around alumni affairs and annual giving. Core activities in this area include:

• Lead donor-focused components (invitation strategy, donor hosting, on‑site stewardship) of alumni and fundraising events for programs such as UF Giving Day, 40-under-40, Grand Guard, Gator 100.
• Serve as primary liaison to the UF Alumni Association Team, coordinating all UFAA programs and participating in representative meetings.
• Identify and solicit sponsorships for College events, including Spotlight, Cadenza, symposiums, outreach events, and reunions while maintaining corporate relationships.
• Coordinate with the Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives to support COTA advisory boards (Friends of Music, Friends of Theatre + Dance, and the Gator Band Alumni Association) and identify top prospects for leadership roles on boards, committees, and other key stakeholder groups.
• Serve as primary liaison to the UF Annual Giving Team, coordinating annual fund strategies and solicitations.
• Assist the Director of Advancement in managing and executing plans and policies for the College’s overall development and alumni affairs program. 

This position also engages in strategic initiatives and administration which include:

• Identify and research alumni and friend prospects aligned with campaign priorities and support major-gift strategy development with the Director of Advancement.
• Assist with strategic planning and advancement support activities involving volunteers and prospects and campaign leadership with the Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives.
• Prepare mid‑level/major gift proposals and ensure appropriate donor recognition.
• Write and support development materials, including proposals, case statements, grants, and individualized donor correspondence as needed.
• Research and develop grant proposals to federal, state, private, and foundation funders.
• Conduct research on local, regional and national foundations giving programs, and identify available funding sources that will advance the mission and strategic direction of the University of Florida.
• Maintain best practices in record keeping, prospect management, research tools, and donor database usage.

Stewardship is another important aspect of this position, consisting of:

• In conjunction with the Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives, support alumni and donor stewardship programs for the college, prioritizing individualized touchpoints for portfolio donors.
• Assist Director of Advancement in oversight of scholarship recipient communications, donor correspondence including thank you, bereavement and stewardship messages.
• Draft donor, prospect, alumni and corporate correspondence for the Development Office and Dean.
• Review gift documentation for accuracy and ensure proper gift credit, acknowledgements and related stewardship.

What really makes this opportunity special? Our team culture.
We are creative, collaborative, and mission-centered—energized by bold ideas and grounded by our shared vision. We celebrate wins together, brainstorm fearlessly, support one another’s growth, and genuinely enjoy the work and the people we do it with. If you thrive in a culture where innovation is encouraged, feedback is valued, and teammates cheer each other on, you’ll fit right in.

 Schedule:

Mon-Friday 8am-5pm.  Considerable after-hours and weekend activities are essential to satisfactory performance. Extensive travel is required.

Travel may be required for this employee designated as frequent, non-frequent or none in accordance with UFA’s driving policy.

• Will operate vehicles for an assigned business purpose as a “frequent driver” (3+/mth)

THE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS: The College of the Arts is an engine of transformation that generates paradigmatic shifts in the arts and beyond, while nurturing adaptability, innovation, and excellence. We foster an environment where novel creative practice, leading research, and experiential learning thrive. Our students, faculty, and staff interrogate and respond to the ever-changing relationship between technology and the human spirit. We prepare future leaders in artistic professions and creative industries, while developing student capacity for interdisciplinary scholarship that serves and engages local and global communities.  The College offers baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Approximately 1,600 students are pursuing majors in degrees offered by the College of the Arts under the direction of 150 faculty members in its three accredited schools— the School of Art + Art History, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre + Dance, and in the Center for Arts in Medicine, the Digital Worlds Institute, and the Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship. In addition, the college comprises the University Galleries, and the University level of the New World School of the Arts in Miami. 

The University of Florida: The University of Florida is a comprehensive learning institution built on a land grant foundation. We are The Gator Nation, a community dedicated to excellence in education and research and shaping a better future for Florida, the nation and the world. Our mission is to enable our students to lead and influence the next generation and beyond for economic, cultural and societal benefit. UF is a graduate research institution with more than 50,000 students and membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities. Gainesville, which is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s most livable cities, is located midway between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Together, the University and the community comprise the educational, medical and cultural center of North Central Florida.

In addition to salary, the University of Florida (UF) offers low cost State Health plans, a number of Dental plans to fit you and your family’s needs, and Vision. Domestic partner coverage through GatorCare is also available. Optional plans such as life, disability, legal and accident insurance are also available.

UF provides a variety of leave programs including vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, personal leave days, and family medical leave. TEAMS employees accrue approximately 22 vacation days annually, 13 sick days annually, and 4 personal leave days, typically used during the holiday closing period (accruals based on full-time employment). UF also provides you the flexibility to deal with life’s challenges by offering paid family leave, eight full weeks of leave over a 24-month period.

Build a retirement roadmap with competitive pension plans, investment accounts and a host of voluntary add-ons, such as 457 deferred compensation and 403(b) plans.

UF Employees are also eligible for the GatorPerks discount program, which provides big savings at various business and retailers!

Explore UF’s plethora of benefit options here: TEAMS Benefits

$53,500 - $60,000 with a comprehensive and highly competitive leave and benefits package

Master's degree in an appropriate area of specialization; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area of specialization and one year of relevant experience.

The successful candidate will meet some of the following:

• Three to five years fundraising experience with proven success soliciting gifts of $5,000-$50,000 strongly preferred.
• Experience in development, alumni affairs, education, public relations, external affairs and/or higher education.
• Prior experience in a college or university setting, enthusiasm for fundraising in a comprehensive research university and the desire to work collegially within a goal-oriented fundraising organization.
• Knowledge of fundraising principles, methods, and standards.
• Expertise in developing solicitation strategies.
• Experience in development and alumni relations and/or external affairs.
• Demonstrated accomplishment in fostering productive relationships with volunteers, developing volunteer leadership, and proven success working with stakeholders.
• The ability to work strategically, implement and build constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
• Ability to work collaboratively and proactively to meet team needs.
• Competency in problem solving.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and the capacity to engage effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of individuals are essential.
• Support the University’s commitment to creating a respectful and collaborative work environment that values integrity, professionalism, and mutual respect in all interactions; demonstrated success collaborating with stakeholders; strong project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; excellent organizational abilities; and the capacity to lead, influence, and inspire others are essential.
• Proficient in the following areas: Windows operating systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access, as well as internet browsers and email platforms. Familiarity with donor databases, contact management systems, and tracking systems is also highly preferred.
• The ability and willingness to travel.  A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.*
• Evidence of skill in designing and facilitating work that advances curiosity, respect, open intellectual discourse, and the welcome incorporation and well-being of all in an environment of complex differences.

*Business expenses are reimbursed through a standard accounting system.  The ability to pay for expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential. 

Application Deadline: All application documents must be submitted by March 3, 2026. 

Application Process: Applications must be submitted via the University of Florida’s online application system.  Online applications must include the following: (1) a detailed letter of application that explains how you match the particular qualifications of this position and how your work and perspective will contribute to and enhance our transformative community; (2) a resume; (3) names and contact information of three professional references. The Search Committee may request additional materials at a later time, including obtaining UF engaged and/or other personnel files from UFHR for current or previous UF employees.

Inquiries may be sent to:

Allison Hudson, Director of Advancement
Chair, Assistant Director of Development Search
Email: ahudson@arts.ufl.edu

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call +1 (352) 392- 2477or the Florida Relay System at +1 (800) 955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.