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 Director of Development, Regional leads fundraising initiatives with responsibility for the regions outside of Central and South Florida. Although the University of Central Florida is based in Orlando, this role works on the ground in identified regions to build and strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, and friends of the university across that region.
In this position, you will design and carry out a fundraising strategy that connects philanthropic support to the priorities of the university and the unit you represent. You will own a portfolio of prospective donors, guide each relationship from first introduction through the close of a gift, and ensure that every donor feels valued and well stewarded along the way.
Classification Title: Development Director I
Responsibilities:
Build and manage a donor portfolio. Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects, with a primary focus on individual donors. Manage these relationships strategically and conduct face-to-face visits to move solicitations toward a successful close.
Develop fundraising strategy. Design and put into practice fundraising plans for both individual donors and specific programs, ensuring that gifts align with the strategic goals of the university and the unit you support.
Create and present major gift proposals. Develop compelling proposals, then acknowledge and recognize gifts in ways that are meaningful to each donor and consistent with the mission and values of the university and Advancement & Partnerships division.
Use strategic tools and resources effectively. Maintain accurate records and make full use of prospect management practices, donor research and analysis, contact reports, and Advance, the university's donor and prospect management database (CRM).
Minimum Qualifications:
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).
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in fundraising or development within higher education, a nonprofit, or a comparable mission-driven and matrixed organization.
A track record of closing major gifts, including five- and six-figure commitments from individual donors.
Experience managing a portfolio of prospects through a full relationship cycle, from identification through stewardship.
Familiarity with metrics-based fundraising and moves management, including activity and revenue goals.
Comfort and experience working with a donor or constituent relationship management databases such as Blackbaud CRM, Salesforce, or Raisers Edge to track and advance relationships.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft persuasive proposals and represent the university well in person.
Experience working independently in a regional or remote capacity, away from a main campus or central office.
Special Instructions to the Applicants:
This position requires flexibility to travel and will require occasional evenings and weekends.
Advancement and Partnerships values the unique contributions that each team member brings to our division. 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 applies to candidates who meet the minimum requirements and several of the preferred qualifications outlined above. All offers are contingent on successful background and reference screens.
All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H‑1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.
Classification Title: Development Director I
Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?
As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.
Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:
Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program
Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays
Retirement savings options
Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions
Education assistance
And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide.
Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.
Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.
Department
Advancement and PartnershipsWork Schedule
UCF business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Travel for regional efforts requiredType of Appointment
RegularExpected Salary
$75,809.00 to NegotiableJob Posting End Date
08-07-2026-12-00-AMThe University of Central 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.
As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.
UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email [email protected].
For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
- 6+ years of relevant fundraising or development experience (or equivalent combination)
- Authorized to work for any U.S. employer (visa sponsorship not available)
- Flexibility to travel for regional efforts; occasional evenings and weekends
- Ability to maintain accurate prospect and donor records and use Advance donor/prospect management CRM
- Fundraising or development experience within higher education, nonprofit, or comparable mission-driven organization
- Proven record of closing major gifts, including five- and six-figure commitments
- Experience managing prospect portfolios through full relationship cycle and familiarity with moves management
- Familiarity with CRMs such as Blackbaud CRM, Salesforce, or Raisers Edge
- Strong written and verbal communication and proposal-writing skills
- Experience working independently in a regional or remote capacity
University of Central Florida Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about University of Central Florida and has not been reviewed or approved by University of Central Florida.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is provided through the State of Florida Group Insurance Program, including medical, dental, vision, basic life, and optional supplemental plans administered via People First. Enrollment timing is clearly defined for new hires, with coverage able to start as soon as the month after hire.
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Retirement Support — Retirement options include the FRS Pension Plan, FRS Investment Plan, and the State University System Optional Retirement Program for eligible roles, plus voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Reemployment rules and continuation of health/life coverage in retirement are also outlined.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Nine paid holidays are recognized annually, with the possibility of additional paid personal leave days at the President’s discretion, and certain employees receive a personal holiday each year. Faculty also have access to leave programs such as sabbaticals and professional development leave.
University of Central Florida Insights
What We Do
Founded in 1963 to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, UCF has been making an impact on the state, the nation — and outer space — ever since. With 13 colleges and more than 230 degree programs, your passion lies at one of our campus locations designed to help you succeed. From the main campus in east Orlando to UCF Downtown and Rosen College of Hospitality Management to the Academic Health Sciences Campus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in the heart of your industry. UCF also has multiple regional locations and fully online programs — including online bachelor’s degrees, online graduate degrees, online certificates and more — to ensure that you can achieve your dreams whenever and wherever you want. Being part of the UCF alumni family means... being a community. A group of people who have a UCF experience, who care about the university and who want to stay connected to it. Being the voice of UCF alumni. Upholding and creating the traditions of UCF. We began with 423, and now we are over 340,000 strong. Our UCF experience has altered us. It has stuck with us. It has changed us. We engage the world with spirit and pride. We are passionate. We are enthusiastic. We are dedicated. We inform, educate and inspire. We embrace our inner Knights. We love our alma mater. We bleed black and gold. We are UCF.






