Director of Development

The USF Foundation connects the University with donors who want to make a difference by providing private, philanthropic support to promote student success, academic initiatives, research and other strategic priorities of the University of South Florida. With an endowment that now exceeds $700 million in value, our dedicated team of approximately 210 professionals, including 60 fundraisers, encompasses alumni, development and foundation operations. The team is responsible for raising more than $165 million annually and has broken records year after year with more than $184 million raised in fiscal year 2025.

Reporting to the Vice President for Central Development, the Director of Development leads annual giving efforts and USF's Digital Engagement Center. The Annual Giving team at the USF Foundation is responsible for direct marketing and strategic initiatives that advance the Foundation's efforts to acquire and retain annual donors. Annual Giving at USF leverages dynamic and emerging technologies to amplify donor count and engagement.

Employees of USF Advancement live out the values of responsibility, innovation, service, and excellence in each of its highly collaborative departments.

Working 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 USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 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. USF's 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.

This position requires a Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience related to development. Regular travel and occasional night and weekend work is required. Master's or other advanced degree preferred and 5 years of work experience directly related to development/ fundraising in an institution of higher education.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor's 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 bachelor's degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master's 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.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive direct marketing strategy to drive annual donor acquisition, retention, and pipeline growth for future major gift cultivation.
• Leverage AI-driven tools and data analytics to optimize donor segmentation, personalize outreach, and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of direct marketing and annual giving campaigns.
• Manage and optimize multi-channel mass solicitation programs (email, direct mail, digital ads, phone, and SMS) to drive donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades across key audience segments.
• Partner with academic units to identify funding needs and align targeted mass marketing efforts with institutional priorities.
• Collaborate with Foundation partners (development, donor relations, alumni relations, and communications) to align messaging and maximize fundraising outcomes.
• Lead, coach, and develop staff responsible for direct marketing initiatives, supporting performance excellence and professional growth.
• Track key metrics and deliver clear, actionable reports to leadership.
• Manage external agencies, printers, and digital partners, ensuring quality execution while managing budgets effectively.

Perform other duties as assigned

• Develop and execute a comprehensive direct marketing strategy to drive annual donor acquisition, retention, and pipeline growth for future major gift cultivation.
• Leverage AI-driven tools and data analytics to optimize donor segmentation, personalize outreach, and enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of direct marketing and annual giving campaigns.
• Manage and optimize multi-channel mass solicitation programs (email, direct mail, digital ads, phone, and SMS) to drive donor acquisition, retention, and upgrades across key audience segments.
• Partner with academic units to identify funding needs and align targeted mass marketing efforts with institutional priorities.
• Collaborate with Foundation partners (development, donor relations, alumni relations, and communications) to align messaging and maximize fundraising outcomes.
• Lead, coach, and develop staff responsible for direct marketing initiatives, supporting performance excellence and professional growth.
• Track key metrics and deliver clear, actionable reports to leadership.
• Manage external agencies, printers, and digital partners, ensuring quality execution while managing budgets effectively.

Perform other duties as assigned