Director of Development

Position Details

The University of Tampa’s Office of Advancement is seeking an accomplished Director of Development to join its dynamic and growing team. As a key member of the Advancement leadership structure, the Director of Development reports to the Vice President of Development and works closely with the Executive Vice President of Advancement to drive major and transformational giving.

This position is responsible for managing and engaging a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors, cultivating meaningful relationships, and securing gifts of $25,000 and above in support of the University’s top priorities. The Director will design and implement innovative strategies that elevate philanthropic impact and advance the University’s mission, including key campaign initiatives.

The Director of Development collaborates extensively across the Advancement division to ensure strategic coordination among all fundraising programs.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Collaboration

• Collaborates (but does not supervise) across the Advancement team, working closely with gift officers and unit leaders to advance fundraising goals.
• Partners extensively with the President, EVP, VP, AVP, Planned Giving, and Campaign leadership to support institutional and campaign priorities.
• Major Gifts Portfolio Management.
• Prospects, cultivates, solicits, and stewards major gift prospects capable of making gifts of $25,000+.
• Manages assigned colleges, University initiatives, and designated geographic territories, including local, statewide, and national regions.
• Conducts 10–12 in-person donor/prospect meetings per month.
• Achieves an annual fundraising goal of $1–2 million in support of strategic University initiatives.

Strategic Fundraising

• Develops and recommends customized solicitation strategies for major donors, including purpose, level of gift, and individuals involved in cultivation.
• Prepares compelling proposals aligned with University priorities and donor interests.
• Ensures all solicitations are executed with excellence and follow-through.
• Institutional Culture
• Contributes to a professional, inclusive, and culturally responsive work environment.
• Demonstrates respect for individuals of diverse backgrounds and supports initiatives that advance belonging and engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive success in individual major gift fundraising, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrated experience securing individual gifts of $25,000+.
• Minimum five (5) years of supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.
• Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel regularly, including some evenings and weekends.
• Proficiency with fundraising databases; Raiser’s Edge experience highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with University leadership, volunteers, donors, boards, and Advancement colleagues.
• Ability to quickly learn University systems, including Workday and Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to adopting new technologies and innovative fundraising practices.

• Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Summer schedule: Monday–Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

• Regular travel required, including evenings and weekends

The University of Tampa offers great benefits, including:

• Free Tuition

• Generous paid leave

• Wellness initiatives

• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account

• 100% Employer-Paid Short & Long Term Disability Insurance

• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program

• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans

• Free On-Campus Parking

• Access to Campus Amenities (pool, library, campus events, and more)

• Fitness Center

• Pet Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• And more

Submission Guidelines

To receive full consideration for employment with The University of Tampa, please be sure to submit/upload required documents for this position at time of application submission.  Required documents should be submitted in the attachment box at the bottom of the "My Experience" page of the application before continuing through the application.

Background Check Requirements

Finalists may be required to submit to a criminal background check. Some positions may also require a motor vehicle report and/or a credit report.

Additional Information

This description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not to determine specific duties and responsibilities for any particular position. Essential functions and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific task assigned to the position.