Job Identification: 42811
Job Category: Univ Advancement
Apply Before: 03/10/2026, 11:08 AM
Degree Level: Bachelor's Degree
Locations: 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, US
Hiring Salary: Commensurate with experience
Essential Personnel: No
Job DescriptionThe USF Development Office builds relationships, generates interest, and inspires confidence among the university's constituents to attract private funding. Private gifts are used to advance teaching, research creative expression, and promote community engagement. The Development Office is the fundraising unit of the USF Foundation Inc. and the Division of University Advancement with 60+ fundraisers expected to raise $100+ million dollars annually.
Reporting to the Sr. Associate Vice President for Development, the Senior Director of Development serves as the Chief Development Officer for the College of Education, providing strategic leadership and oversight of a comprehensive advancement program. This position is responsible for developing and executing a multi-year fundraising strategy aligned with the College's priorities and the University of South Florida's institutional goals. The Senior Director plays a leadership role in driving transformational philanthropy, including and establishing and managing prospect and donor relationships through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
ResponsibilitiesFundraisingBuild and manage a portfolio of high-capacity prospects, with an emphasis on major and principal gifts ($100,000+, with a strategic focus on $250,000+ and above), including complex and multi-year commitments.
Personally lead and close complex, blended gift structures, including planned gifts, endowments, and corporate/foundation partnerships.
Serve as the philanthropy advisor to the dean and help to facilitate key relationships in pursuit of impactful gifts to the college.
CollaborationIntentionally build and invest in developing strong relationships with the College of Education leaders and faculty to promote a culture of philanthropy.
Identify and facilitate opportunities for university leaders and colleagues to support the cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors.
Develop strong relationships with Advancement leadership, staff and departments to leverage the tools and resources available to ensure prospects and donors have a meaningful experience with USF.
Work collaboratively with colleges/schools/units/regional campuses and central advancement offices, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Alumni Association, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, and Gift Planning.
Program and Staff LeadershipLead the strategic planning, goal setting, implementation, and overall management of the College of Education's comprehensive advancement program, including major and principal gifts, planned giving, annual giving, donor relations, and alumni engagement.
Develop and execute a multi-year fundraising strategy in partnership with the Dean and Advancement leadership, establishing clear priorities, performance metrics, and goals aligned with College and University objectives.
Serve as the senior philanthropy advisor to the Dean, providing strategic counsel on donor engagement, philanthropic positioning, and external relationship management.
Supervise and mentor assigned development and support staff, including conducting regular meetings, tracking progress toward goals, providing performance feedback, and supporting professional growth and development.
Lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, Gift Planning, and Alumni Relations, to advance priority initiatives and complex gift opportunities. Engage with and support volunteer leadership and advisory councils to strengthen philanthropic advocacy and external engagement.
Professional DevelopmentConstantly seek an up-to-date understanding of initiatives and programs (product knowledge) at the College of Education and the University of South Florida.
Stay abreast of industry trends to integrate best practices into daily work.
Collaborate with leaders and colleagues at USF to create an environment that fosters continuous learning.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QualificationsThis position requires a Bachelor's degree and 7 years of fundraising experience or other appropriate related experience, including one year of supervisory experience. Master's degree and 8-10 years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, including demonstrated success closing six- and seven-figure gifts is preferred. CFRE strongly preferred.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree.
- Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
- SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
- A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
- (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
- (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's degree;
- (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's degree;
- (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
- (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
- Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
- Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
About UsWorking at USF With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at
www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the
Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
