Posting Details
Posting Details
| Posting Number |
S14964P |
| Working Title |
Director of Development |
| Department |
PSO-VP Public Serv & Outreach |
| About the University of Georgia |
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university
(https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education.
UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton.
UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine. |
| About the College/Unit/Department |
The University of Georgia, a land-grant and sea-grant institution, is an international leader in outreach programming and statewide engagement. As part of UGA's outreach mission, the division of Public Service and Outreach (
PSO) works to help create jobs and prosperity, develop the state's leaders, and solve critical statewide challenges. |
| College/Unit/Department website |
https://outreach.uga.edu/ |
| 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 |
04/07/2026 |
| Open until filled |
Yes |
| Closing Date |
|
| Proposed Starting Date |
07/01/2026 |
| 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 (
hrweb@uga.edu). |
| USG Core Values Statement |
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our
USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each
USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the
USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in
USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.
Additionally,
USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653. |
Position Information
| Classification Title |
Dev Officer-Coll/Div |
| FLSA |
Exempt |
| FTE |
1.00 |
| 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 25 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 18 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 ($50,000+), 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 |
60 |
| 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 |
15 |
| 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 |
15 |
| 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 |
10 |
|