Asst Director of Development, College of Design, Art, & Performance (Finance)

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 $150+ million dollars annually

Reporting to the Director of Development for the College of Design, Art, and Performance, the Assistant Director of Development will be responsible for establishing and managing prospects and donor relationships through identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship processes to meet fundraising goals in alignment with the mission and aspirations of the College of Design, Art, and Performance.This position requires a Bachelor's degree and three years of experience related to development or other appropriate professional experience. Experience directly related to development and fundraising in an institution of higher education or a non-profit is preferred.

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.Working at USF
\n
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.
\n
About USF
\n
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 .
\n
Compliance and Federal Notices
\n
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
\n
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
\n
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
\n
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.Fundraising

Identify, qualify, cultivate, and solicit prospects to close gifts of $25,000+ for top funding priorities. Fundraising dollar, qualification, visit and proposal goals will be determined through conversations with leadership and based on the prospect pool and unit potential. Maintain a significant prospect portfolio and strategically manage relationships through face-to-face and virtual visits to bring solicitations to closure. Continuously update the prospect management database with information related to donor strategies, contacts, and results.

Pipeline Development

In partnership with Prospect Research and Prospect Management, identify and prioritize potential donors to build a robust donor pipeline. Engage with prospects to assess giving capacity, philanthropic interests, and alignment with organizational goals.

Collaboration

Collaboration: Serve as an active member of the College of Design, Art, and Performance team bringing creativity and innovation to the team's fundraising strategy. Intentionally build and invest in developing strong relationships with the College of Design, Art, and Performance leaders and faculty to promote a culture of philanthropy. Identify and facilitate opportunities for university leaders and colleagues to support the cultivation of prospects. Develop strong relationships with Advancement, staff and departments to leverage the tools and resources available to ensure prospects and donors have a meaningful experience with USF. Collaborate with gift officers in other units and on regional campuses, as appropriate.

Professional Development

Maintain an up-to-date understanding of initiatives and programs (product knowledge) at the College of Design, Art, and Performance and 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.

Performs other duties as assigned.