Associate Director/Director, Development

The Associate Director/Director, Development is a fundraising and advancement professional responsible for helping to advance the university's priorities through philanthropy as a front-line major gift officer. This position manages a portfolio of 75-100 prospects, making an average of 70 solicitations and raising at least $2 million annually.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Develops fundraising strategies, goals, and objectives for the assigned academic unit/s, including prospect identification and management.
• Prepares gift proposals, solicitation letters, gift agreements, and other materials for donors and prospects.
• Develops, cultivates, expands, and maintains a portfolio of mid-level donors and donor prospects, adhering to department recording standards within the NXT database.
• Develops fundraising plans for each donor prospect in portfolio to move them effectively from qualification to solicitation and enter plans into NXT database.
• Collaborates with University leadership to fund significant projects and programs related to the University's mission.
• Participates in the development and coordination of special events and programs for donors and prospects.

                         

Other Duties:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Associate Director, Development Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either eight years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and four years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
• Professional full-time experience with Advancement, fundraising, or other relevant experience.
• Demonstrated success identifying new funding donor sources.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Director, Development Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either ten years of directly related full-time experience or, as an alternative, a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of full-time experience directly related to the job functions.
• Professional full-time experience with Advancement, fundraising, or other relevant experience.
• Demonstrated success identifying new funding donor sources.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher and Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization.
• Fundraising experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience and proficiency with Raiser’s Edge or similar fundraising applications.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles, best practices, trends, and legal constraints of fundraising and gift solicitation within higher education.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Skill in public speaking and delivering presentations to individuals and groups.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and complete simultaneous projects.
• Ability to be a self-starter with documented results in building new programs and initiatives.
• Ability to think critically and creatively, have a high standard of integrity, and be motivated to incorporate best practices into the organizational structure.
• Demonstrated ability to write successful grant proposals.
• Ability to collect, organize, analyze, and present information in a meaningful manner.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and build positive and strategic relationships with colleagues, donors, and volunteers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion at all times.
• Ability to travel locally and throughout the state and work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.

Applicants will be evaluated for roles as either Associate Director, Development or Director, Development based on their qualifications.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an Equal Opportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

*This posting was revised on 1/30/2026 to update the job summary to include helping to advance the university's priorities through philanthropy.