Department
website Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information M-F Advertised Salary Commensurate with Experience Posting Date //6 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date //6 Special Instructions to Applicants Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Policy Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (
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policymanual/section6/C3. Position Information Classification Title Dev Officer-Coll/Div FLSA Exempt FTE 1. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent and 8 years of professional experience Preferred Qualifications
- Strong network of professional and community ties in philanthropy.
- Ten or more years of major gift and front line fundraising experience in higher education.
- Experience in the Public Service and Outreach field.
- Familiar with UGA fundraising systems and processes.
- Demonstrated experience leading multi-unit fundraising strategy, including capital campaign planning/execution, and working with leaders across functions.
Position Summary The Director of Development provides strategic leadership for the fundraising goals of up to five of the Public Service and Outreach (PSO) Division’s eight units by designing and executing strategic fundraising plans, cultivating strong relationships with prospects and donors, and securing major gifts. The Director is accountable for achieving established objectives and performance metrics, including donor visits, proposal submissions, and overall fundraising targets. In consultation with the Senior Director of Development, the Director provides division-wide leadership for annual giving and sponsorship strategy across all PSO units. This includes supervising a team that includes the Annual Giving Director and the Sponsorship Coordinator, setting clear priorities and performance expectations while guiding strategy, decision-making, and ensuring that efforts are aligned with unit priorities and initiatives. This position is expected to concurrently manage multiple fundraising priorities and initiatives across supported units.
The Director of Development is a key member of the development team within the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach and will work closely with the director of the supported PSO units. This position reports to the Senior Director of Development for Public Service and Outreach. Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
- Progressively responsible fundraising or related experience, including work in all functional areas of development.
- Proven experience in successful major gift solicitations and a track record of developing and successfully executing strategic fundraising plans for major initiatives.
- Experience with external communication strategies, corporate and foundation campaigns, constituent relationship management (CRM) software and planned gifts.
- Demonstrates strong self-initiative, exceptional attention to detail, professionalism, emotional intelligence, and well-developed listening and organizational skills.
- Exemplary communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation abilities. Demonstrates the capacity to deliver clear, consistent, and impactful messages with an open, cordial, and persuasive communication style.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams and demonstrated skill in using database management software.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of sensitivity to donor relationships and uphold respect for donor intent.
- Thorough knowledge of and strict adherence to all legal and ethical standards in fundraising, ensuring compliance and integrity in all development activities.
- Experience with fundraising strategy development across multiple units/functions (major gifts, annual giving, sponsorships, stewardship, and campaign operations).
Physical Demands
- Travel both in-state and out-of-state
- Work evenings and weekends as necessary
- Driving as needed to perform job-related duties.
- Sit for extended periods of time.
- Lift and/or move up to pounds.
Is driving a responsibility of this position? Yes Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? Yes Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the
UGA Credit Background Check website. Background Investigation Policy Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the
UGA Background Check website. Duties/Responsibilities Duties/Responsibilities
- Lead major gift strategy for the supported PSO units by managing fundraising initiatives and priorities including planning, funding-priority development, and solicitations.
- Partner with unit leadership to align priorities with strategy and ensure accountability for deliverables and outcomes.
- Develop and manage a portfolio of major gift prospects ($,+), meeting annually established goals for fundraising, face-to-face visits, solicitations, and gifts closed. Visits involve, on average, 1-2 days out of the office each week, including overnight travel (in and out of state) and occasional weekend work.
- Collaborate with other University fundraisers on shared prospects, providing expertise on fundraising priorities and integrating PSO priorities into an overall strategy.
- Provide high-touch stewardship that strengthens long-term donor relationships through tailored communication, impact updates, visits/tours, and responsive follow-up aligned with donor intent.
- Provide oversight of the PSO-wide annual giving and sponsorships efforts, ensuring integrated planning across channels and units, and aligning tactics to broader campaign and major gift priorities. Supervise and support a team that includes the PSO Director of Annual Giving and Sponsorship Coordinator.
Percentage of time Duties/Responsibilities
- Manage a comprehensive development effort for supported units, including tributes, sponsorships for fundraising events, capital projects, initiatives, annual appeals, planned giving marketing, donor recognition, and stewardship efforts.
- Produce and deliver high-quality proposals, presentations, briefings, reports, and other donor-facing materials to support qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with institutional priorities and donor interests.
Percentage of time Duties/Responsibilities
- Partner with UGA’s Office of Business Engagement and Foundation Relations to pursue corporate, foundation, and grant opportunities that advance PSO and supported unit priorities, as well as coordinate submissions and follow-through.
- Collaborate with central development colleagues to identify shared prospects, coordinate strategy, and execute joint cultivation and solicitation efforts when appropriate.
- Maintain deep knowledge of supported units’ strategic priorities by engaging unit leadership and key personnel, and translate program needs into compelling funding opportunities for donors.
- Develop tailored proposal packages for priority opportunities, secure internal approvals, and submit proposals in accordance with established timelines and processes.
Percentage of time Duties/Responsibilities
- Conduct prospect research as needed using internal and external resources. Prepare briefing materials to support donor engagement and solicitation strategy.
- Document donor interactions and outcomes in the university development division database (GAIL). Complete timely follow-up, including thank-you correspondence and delivery of requested information.
- Participate in regular strategy and alignment meetings with unit directors, PSO development leadership, and central development partners. Attend monthly PSO development team meetings, quarterly Research Prospect Management meetings, and assigned central development meetings.
- Work collaboratively and strategically with the central development staff, division colleagues, and other development associates located in schools, colleges, and units across campus.
- Provide updates and engagement support to advisory boards as applicable. Attend board meetings and donor events (including occasional evenings/weekends) to deepen relationships and advance fundraising goals.
Percentage of time
Contact Information
Recruitment Contact Contact Details For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below. Recruitment Contact Name Kyle Hensel Recruitment Contact Email khensel@ Recruitment Contact Phone