Executive Director of Development

Overview

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 Executive Director of Development, College of Sciences, leads the advancement strategy for one of UCF’s largest and most dynamic academic units. This position develops and implements an annual fundraising plan in collaboration with the Assistant Vice President for Development – Colleges and Programs, the Dean of the College of Sciences, and university leadership. The Executive Director will manage development staff within the college, build and maintain a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, and serve as the lead fundraiser and strategist for philanthropic initiatives that support the college’s priorities.

In FY 25 the College of Sciences realized a record fundraising goal of $6M.

Classification Title
:
Development Director III

• Manage a portfolio of major and principal gift prospects, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding relationships to secure transformative investments in support of the College of Sciences’ priorities.
• Train, mentor, and manage the college’s advancement staff in cultivating relationships for major gift solicitation and stewardship, while partnering with Alumni Engagement to support and advance alumni engagement and annual giving initiatives.
• Develop, execute, and track progress toward an annual fundraising and engagement plan in partnership with the Dean and AVP, setting goals and strategies that align with the college’s vision.
• Recruit, retain, and manage volunteers for the College of Sciences Dean’s Advisory Board and other alumni or advisory committees; collaborate with the Dean on board agendas and engagement strategies.
• Partner with volunteer leaders to support discovery, cultivation, and solicitation activities.
• Prepare and present gift proposals and agreements in accordance with UCF Foundation guidelines and provide meaningful stewardship to donors.
• Maintain accurate and timely prospect activity, reporting, and documentation in the donor database.
• Schedule and conduct joint prospect visits with university academic leadership and/or key volunteers to advance cultivation and solicitation strategies.

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(6).

• Demonstrated success in major and principal gift fundraising, preferably in higher education or complex nonprofit environments.
• Experience contributing to or leading comprehensive fundraising campaigns.
• Experience managing and mentoring development staff.
• Strong knowledge of donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals and articulate complex priorities.
• Proven ability to engage academic leaders, faculty, volunteers, and alumni in fundraising efforts.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to set goals, measure progress, and adapt strategies.
• Familiarity with fundraising databases (e.g., Blackbaud CRM) and data-informed development strategies.
• Experience engaging advisory boards or volunteer leadership groups.

Advancement & Partnerships has partnered with Boyden Executive Search to fill this position. For more information about this opportunity or to submit a cover letter and resume, please email:

Wendy Wilsker
Managing Partner, Boston

Advancement and Partnerships values the unique contributions that each team member brings to our division. The anticipated salary for a well-qualified candidate is $116,000 - $145,000. The final 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…