Director of Development, Regional
The USF Development Office builds relationships, generates interest, and inspires confidence among the university's constituents to attract private funding. Private gifts are used to advance teaching, research creative expression, and promote community engagement. The Development Office is the fundraising unit of the USF Foundation Inc. and the Division of University Advancement with 60+ fundraisers expected to raise $100+ million dollars annually.
The regional fundraising team is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with alumni, parents and friends in an effort to raise major gifts for all colleges and units at the University of South Florida. Reporting to the Sr. Director for Regional Development, this major gift fundraiser is responsible for establishing and managing prospect and donor relationships through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to meet fundraising goals in alignment with the mission and aspirations the University of South Florida. This position will have regular interaction with unit, college, and school development offices, coordinating their efforts on regional prospects. Due to the diverse geographical reach, as well as the representation of the entire university, this position can maximize a donor's potential and passion to invest in any area of the university.
Preference will be given to a qualified candidate living in or near the Atlanta, Georgia area.ResponsibilitiesFundraising
Build and manage a robust portfolio of prospects in order to identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure major gifts of $50,000+ for top funding priorities. Fundraising dollar, visit, and proposal goals will be determined through conversations with leadership and based on the prospect pool and unit potential.
Apply prospect research, fundraising expertise, creativity, and intuition in identifying and cultivating potential donors, as initial work will likely involve a high number of identification and qualification visits.
Continuously update the prospect management database with information related to donor strategies, contacts, and results.
Strategically manage relationships through face-to-face and virtual visits to bring major gift solicitations to successful closure.
Collaboration
Serve as an active member of the Regional Development Team bringing creativity and innovation to creating the first regional development team at USF.
Work collaboratively with colleges/schools/units/regional campuses and central advancement offices, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Alumni Association, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, and Gift Planning.
Develop strong relationships with Advancement leadership, staff and departments to leverage the tools and resources available to ensure prospects and donors have a meaningful experience with USF.
Identify and facilitate opportunities for university leaders and colleagues to support the cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors.
Professional Development
Constantly seek an up-to-date understanding of initiatives and programs (product knowledge) at the University of South Florida.
Stay abreast of industry trends to integrate best practices into daily work.
Collaborate with leaders and colleagues at USF to create an environment that fosters continuous learning.
Additional Duties
Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishment of the responsibilities and functions related to this position.
QualificationsThis position requires Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience related to development or other appropriate professional experience. Master's Degree and five (5) years of proven fundraising experience, preferably in an institution of higher education and primarily major gift fundraising. CFRE preferred but not required. Prior experience managing and mentoring professional fundraisers.Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelorâs degree.⢠Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.⢠SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements⢠A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:⢠(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;⢠(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelorâs degree;⢠(c) Six years of direct experience for a masterâs degree;⢠(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or⢠(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree⢠Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.⢠Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.CompanyWorking at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USFâs rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Floridaâs best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the stateâs 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USFâs Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South 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.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South 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 affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Apply Now
The regional fundraising team is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with alumni, parents and friends in an effort to raise major gifts for all colleges and units at the University of South Florida. Reporting to the Sr. Director for Regional Development, this major gift fundraiser is responsible for establishing and managing prospect and donor relationships through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship to meet fundraising goals in alignment with the mission and aspirations the University of South Florida. This position will have regular interaction with unit, college, and school development offices, coordinating their efforts on regional prospects. Due to the diverse geographical reach, as well as the representation of the entire university, this position can maximize a donor's potential and passion to invest in any area of the university.
Preference will be given to a qualified candidate living in or near the Atlanta, Georgia area.ResponsibilitiesFundraising
Build and manage a robust portfolio of prospects in order to identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure major gifts of $50,000+ for top funding priorities. Fundraising dollar, visit, and proposal goals will be determined through conversations with leadership and based on the prospect pool and unit potential.
Apply prospect research, fundraising expertise, creativity, and intuition in identifying and cultivating potential donors, as initial work will likely involve a high number of identification and qualification visits.
Continuously update the prospect management database with information related to donor strategies, contacts, and results.
Strategically manage relationships through face-to-face and virtual visits to bring major gift solicitations to successful closure.
Collaboration
Serve as an active member of the Regional Development Team bringing creativity and innovation to creating the first regional development team at USF.
Work collaboratively with colleges/schools/units/regional campuses and central advancement offices, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Alumni Association, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, and Gift Planning.
Develop strong relationships with Advancement leadership, staff and departments to leverage the tools and resources available to ensure prospects and donors have a meaningful experience with USF.
Identify and facilitate opportunities for university leaders and colleagues to support the cultivation and solicitation of prospective donors.
Professional Development
Constantly seek an up-to-date understanding of initiatives and programs (product knowledge) at the University of South Florida.
Stay abreast of industry trends to integrate best practices into daily work.
Collaborate with leaders and colleagues at USF to create an environment that fosters continuous learning.
Additional Duties
Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishment of the responsibilities and functions related to this position.
QualificationsThis position requires Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience related to development or other appropriate professional experience. Master's Degree and five (5) years of proven fundraising experience, preferably in an institution of higher education and primarily major gift fundraising. CFRE preferred but not required. Prior experience managing and mentoring professional fundraisers.Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelorâs degree.⢠Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.⢠SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements⢠A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:⢠(a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;⢠(b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelorâs degree;⢠(c) Six years of direct experience for a masterâs degree;⢠(d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or⢠(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree⢠Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.⢠Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.CompanyWorking at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USFâs rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Floridaâs best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the stateâs 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USFâs Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South 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.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South 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 affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Apply Now