Executive Director of Engagement and Donor Relations

Classification Title:

SR DIR, Donor Relations

Job Description:

The Opportunity

The Executive Director of Engagement and Donor Relations will be responsible for setting a strategic vision for strengthening Advancement’s relationship with external and internal audiences through comprehensive engagement, stewardship, special events, and other programs. Reporting directly to the Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications/Chief Marketing Officer (AVP/CMO), the incumbent will oversee strategic components of donor and alumni engagement throughout the lifecycle of a gift and determine the best strategies to provide an exceptional experience for donors, prospects, and alumni.

The role and responsibilities of the Executive Director of Engagement and Donor Relations are as follows:

Strategic Leadership & Engagement

• Serve as a senior leader for the Advancement Strategic Communications, Marketing and Engagement team to build collaborative relationships with other senior leaders in Advancement to drive progress toward collective goals.
  • Work in collaboration with the AVP/CMO as it relates to University communications, marketing strategy, and college/unit engagement.
  • In collaboration with the AVP/CMO, develop strategies around Advancement initiatives.
  • In coordination with the AVP/CMO, help set strategies and execute processes and procedures to ensure effectiveness.
• In partnership with Advancement leadership, will drive the strategic planning and development of a comprehensive donor and alumni engagement framework with metrics to inform various organizational operations.
• Work collaboratively with Strategic Communications & Marketing, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving, Development, Operations, and Talent Management to execute the engagement vision in alignment with Advancement goals.
• Create, document and direct highly collaborative services to provide consultation and strategic programming to senior university leadership, faculty, and development officers to strengthen and enhance the university’s relationships with donors, including individuals, corporations and foundations.
• Oversee and provide guidance on team members’ consultation with college and unit development officers on a regular basis to ensure that all prospects and donors are appropriately acknowledged in a timely manner and recognized for their contributions and encourage full use of individualized stewardship plans as tools in the cultivation cycle.

High Performing Teams Leadership

• Serve as a senior leader for the Donor Relations and Campaign Events teams to ensure the planning and execution of donor centric communications, reporting, acknowledgement and recognition, weaving in storytelling and building trust through consistent, strategic and meaningful contact to guarantee maximum collaboration.
• Create the vision for donor relations working in collaboration with Advancement leadership to build and support external and internal relationships that drive fundraising efficacy.
• Provide vision and strategic leadership to the Donor Relations and Campaign Events teams; oversight of staff in alignment with UF Advancement’s Vison and Values of Service, Excellence and Team; use best talent management practices; ensure the use of best practices in office systems, files and record keeping; ensure effective use of strategic tools and resources.
• Provide guidance and oversight in the expansion of the multi-year strategic and comprehensive donor programs; plan to identify and deliver coordinated and integrated baseline communications to all donors.
• Oversee the creation of tools and conceptualize and develop leadership training and additional tools to aid development staff in donor programming.
• Act as an expert resource to benchmark and institutionalize comprehensive, integrated engagement best practices across campus to support fundraising goals and initiatives.
• Plan and monitor the budget, using resources for best results in planning activities involving prospects and donors and volunteers.
• Oversee the Director of Special Events & Engagement, and provide oversight to the planning and execution of, special events designed to support engagement, stewardship, and fundraising initiatives, particularly those in support of the campaign.
• Develop short-term operational and long-term strategic plans of special event policies and procedures as they pertain to Advancement priorities.
• Provide innovative vision and leadership for the expansion and growth of special events throughout the organization.

Special Projects

• Launch a workgroup to identify best practices for engagement system that would be married to the development system to further strengthen them.
  • Document how long and what topics in which people speak in board meetings, determining new ways to measure and strategize moving forward to next gift.
• Collaborate with internal teams on assigned programs to ensure high level stakeholder experience and engagement.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in also aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits and training.

UF Advancement is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce and values diversity of thoughts, background, and experience. We welcome applications from individuals who would bring additional dimensions to the university’s vision and mission.

The University of Florida

The University of Florida ranks 6th among public research universities and is the flagship of Florida’s state university system. Located in Gainesville since 1906, UF has 16 colleges, a major academic health center, a championship-winning athletic program, a top-ranked undergraduate online program and, in keeping with its land-grant mission, one of the nation’s most comprehensive agriculture and natural resources programs. All are based at the university’s 2,000-acre main campus, joining its historic core with advanced facilities and preserved natural areas, and connecting to adjacent innovation, commercial and residential districts.

The University of Florida ranks 6th among public research universities and is the flagship of Florida’s state university system. Located in Gainesville since 1906, UF has 16 colleges, a major academic health center, a championship-winning athletic program, a top-ranked undergraduate online program and, in keeping with its land-grant mission, one of the nation’s most comprehensive agriculture and natural resources programs. All are based at the university’s 2,000-acre main campus, joining its historic core with advanced facilities and preserved natural areas, and connecting to adjacent innovation, commercial and residential districts.

The City of Gainesville

Gainesville ( http://cityofgainesville.org ) is home to Florida's largest and oldest university, and so is one of the state's centers of education, medicine, cultural events and athletics. The University of Florida and UF Health Shands Hospital are the leading employers in Gainesville and provide jobs for many residents of surrounding counties. Gainesville is also the largest city in Alachua County and is the county seat, with approximately 269,000 residents county-wide. It serves as the cultural, educational and commercial center for the north central Florida region. The city provides a full range of municipal services, including cultural and nature services and necessary administrative services to support these activities. Additionally, the city owns a regional transit system, a regional airport, and a 72-par championship golf course. Known for its preservation of historic buildings and the beauty of its natural surroundings, Gainesville's numerous parks, museums and lakes provide entertainment to thousands of visitors. Because of its beautiful landscape and urban "forest," Gainesville is one of the most attractive cities in Florida. The city is in a central location to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, providing easy access within a day’s drive to beaches, nature preserves, and water-based activities. Explore Gainesville in 60 Seconds.

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Talent Management at 352-846-1127 or talent@uff.ufl.edu .

Expected Salary:

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

Minimum Requirements:

Master’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and six years of experience in a related field; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization and eight years of experience in a related field.

Valid Florida driver license

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Seven to ten years’ experience in a comprehensive strategic engagement and/or external relations program in a large-scale university or one of similar complexity, with proven leadership success.
  
  
• Degree in a related field such as public relations, marketing or other related communication field or a development/fundraising-related field.
  
  
• Three years of supervisory experience leading a high performing team.
  
  
• Proven ability to effectively lead and direct collaborative, customer-based services in a complex academic setting with multiple stakeholders.
  
  
• The ability to work strategically, develop and implement constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
  
  
• The ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse constituencies, meet deadlines, be self-motivated, and work independently.
  
  
• Accuracy, attention to detail and a customer service-oriented attitude.
  
  
• Ability to work collaboratively and be 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.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• An appreciation for and support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; proven success working with stakeholders; excellent strategic planning and project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
  
  

Special Instructions to Applicants:

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume, and three references.

This position is open until filled. Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

This requisition has been reposted. Previous applicants are still under consideration and need not apply.

Health Assessment Required: No