| Job Description: |
Portfolio Development
- Will independently perform identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major gift prospects; focuses on individual prospects where gift/grant is assessed at $100,000 and above.
- Serve as chief fundraiser for IFAS Extension.
- He or she will build a portfolio of fundraising prospects and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face visits to bring major gift solicitations to closure.
- Administer strategic plans for major gift/principal gift prospects
- Serve as the primary liaison for fundraising for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Dean of CALS.
- Collaborating and fundraising liaison with faculty and staff in SFFGS (School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences) and the Animal Sciences Department.
- Develop and present major gift proposals and acknowledge gifts in ways that are meaningful to donors and appropriate to the vision, mission, and values of the unit and UF Advancement.
- Primary fundraising coordinator for the IFAS Dean of Extension, including leading the Florida Master Gardener statewide fundraising plan, and assisting in Florida 4H fundraising.
- In collaboration with the Dean of Extension, establish an overall annual fundraising goal (total dollars) for IFAS Extension.
- Develop and manage a portfolio of out-of-state prospects for UF/IFAS.
Strategic Leadership
- Provide guidance to identify and recruit top talent and provide leadership and counsel on matters related to mid-range and major gift fundraising and accountability including establishing goals in alignment with unit objectives, developing metrics and strategic planning.
- Evaluate staff and develop a strong sense of teamwork; establish an environment of mentoring and support. Coach the team and bring cohesion to the department.
- Build collaborative, productive relationships with key leadership, colleagues, deans, department chairs and unit leads, and provide guidance on fundraising initiatives to enhance the strategic fundraising mission.
- Assist Executive Director of Advancement the Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, UF/IFAS Research and the Director of Development in providing direction on the IFAS development programs and initiatives, as well as providing operational management for those programs as they relate to CALS.
- Create a 5-year fundraising plan for UF/IFAS Extension.
Engagement & Strategic Initiatives
- Assist with plans, organization and direction of the private support programs for IFAS program areas including Academic Programs, Research and Extension.
- Assist with designing solicitation strategies on a case-by-case basis, being cognizant of development and CALS needs and procedures.
- Initiate, plan, and support activities and events for SHARE Council key volunteer group.
- Complete the Community Connections Project for UF/IFAS Extension endowment for every county in Florida.
- Increase the general endowment of UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Program to $1M through new endowment or existing funds.
- Maintain a structured process for the identification, recruitment, evaluation, recognition, and replacement of volunteers to strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
- Support the recruitment of experienced and diverse leadership on boards and/or committees in order to ensure that these groups are representative of, and responsive to, the communities served.
- Assist in developing and implementing a comprehensive communications plan to inform constituents and identified markets about the vision, mission, and values of the unit, its funding priorities, and gift opportunities.
- Represent IFAS at donor and community events as assigned.
- Build and nurture effective working relationships with alumni, parents, volunteers, board members, and staff.
Administrative
- Ensure best practices in office systems, practices, files and record keeping.
- Ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources such as contact reports, prospect management, research, and analysis, and the Advance database.
- Plan and monitor the budget, using resources for best results in fundraising and planning activities involving volunteers, prospects, faculty, and administration.
Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishment of the responsibilities and functions related to this position.
Specify days and hours this position is required to work as well as any variations from this schedule (ex: on call, shift rotations, seasonal extended hours, travel, etc.)
NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE
Normal working hours are Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm. Normal working hours are Monday through 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+/month)
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| Preferred Qualifications: |
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Three to five years of major gift fundraising experience with proven success soliciting major gifts of $100,000 and above strongly preferred.
- 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.
- The ability to work strategically, develop and implement constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
- Ability to work collaboratively and a team player
- Competency in problem solving.
- Must be an outstanding communicator and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; interpersonal skills; and the ability to work collegially and interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
- An appreciation for and support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; proven success working with stakeholders; project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
- Working knowledge in these areas: Windows, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, internet browsers, preferably Internet Explorer, E-mail. Working knowledge of a donor database, contact management and tracking system.
- The ability and willingness to travel. A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.*
*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.
UF Advancement has defined the following critical competencies for organizational and position specific success:
- Relationship Mastery – Identifies, targets and strategically builds relationships with colleagues, prospects, donors and volunteers
- Establishes and maintains effective relationships; demonstrating genuine interest in the well-being and opinions of others and recognizing common ground with individuals from varying backgrounds
- Anticipates conversational direction with ability to swiftly adapt and diffuse high tension situations
- Successfully identifies the proper timing, medium and consistency to engage stakeholders
- Exhibits a high level of emotional intelligence in all interactions
- Donor Focus – Ability to establish, cultivate and steward prospects/ donors to build and maintain lifelong partnerships and trust on behalf of the institution
- Consistently searches for ways to improve the donor experience centralizing all efforts and tasks around meeting their needs
- Matches donor/prospect passions with university priorities, involving the right people and resources at the right time
- Places prospect/ donor needs ahead of personal success
- Utilizes resources, remains flexible and creatively suggests individualized engagement activities
- Tenacity – Ability to demonstrate the discipline and resilience necessary to successfully achieve goals and strategies
- Identifies and seizes opportunities, setting “stretch” goals and exceeding them (always looking for the next rung on the ladder)
- Ability to re-direct prospects from distractions and non-productive requests (in control but not seemingly in control)
- Strong commitment to close gifts (every day is a domino)
- Does not give up in the face of obstacles (master of “No”)
- Credibility – Displays responsible, reliable and trustworthy actions
- Acts in an ethical and authentic manner to support the mission of the university, demonstrating a “can do” spirit, sense of ownership, urgency and commitment
- Stay current on functional and technical aspects of one’s job seeking opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills
- Promotes and establishes trust, respect and rapport utilizing diplomacy and tact
- Fulfills commitments made to donors, colleagues and university partners
- Entrepreneurial Spirit – Ability to generate creative solutions and take risks
- Understands current environment and possesses the ability to adapt to new opportunities and challenges
- Generates innovative ideas, solutions and opportunities to positively impact results (doesn’t order from the menu)
- Learns from success and failure with a drive to succeed (hates to lose)
- Accepts, embraces and leads change
- Engaging Communication – Ability to attentively listen and express oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communication
- Possesses the ability to engage and inspire
- Successfully reads verbal and non-verbal cues adapting communication style and strategy as needed
- Demonstrates active listening and understands the art of asking questions to skillfully obtain more complete information
- Commands attention when speaking and presenting to individuals or groups
- Strategic Thinking – Ability to develop strategies and plans that integrate into the organization’s mission, priorities and goals
- Ability to effectively synthesize information and data to evaluate and prioritize prospects/donors in a larger context (knows their prospects)
- Ability to document and illustrate a comprehensive engagement strategy with realistic timelines
- Collaboratively engages colleagues and academic partners and integrates their knowledge into strategy
- Ability to think big, and create bold and inspiring tactics
- Mission Driven – Fundamentally identifies with the core mission to create awareness, build relationships, generate support and recognize donors for the purpose of advancing the university
- Considers national trends and best practices of advancement within higher education
- Possesses a solid appreciation of UF history, culture and tradition
- Understands the power of philanthropy and how to engage donors toward achieving their goals
- Creates advocates for the university through the ability to “visualize dreams”, “ask”, and “close”
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
A valid driver license is required within 6 months of hire.
*UF Advancement offers Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) Training to positions where traveling, events, alumni, and/or facilities are an essential function. CPR/AED training for these positions will need to be completed within the first year of employment and maintained thereafter.
Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.
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