Description

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 12/22/2025 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 03/01/2026 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 Major Gifts Officer III FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications
Strong network of professional and community ties in philanthropy. Experience working with a board of advisors or volunteers.
Position Summary
The Director of Development is responsible for advancing the fundraising goals of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit within the Public Service and Outreach Division (PSO), by developing and executing strategic fundraising plans and initiatives, cultivating meaningful relationships with prospects and donors, and securing major gifts. The Director of Development is responsible for meeting established objectives and performance metrics that are set annually, including donor meetings, proposal submissions, collaborations, discovering goals, and overall fundraising goals. This position is also responsible for coordinating with UGA Foundation Relations and Office of Business Engagement to develop proposals for philanthropic grants and foundation opportunities. This position supervises the Development & Stewardship Coordinator. 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 unit. 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.

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

• Build and manage a portfolio of major giving prospects for the supported PSO unit, focusing on soliciting major gifts, presenting proposals, and making an annually established goal of face-to-face meetings with donors and prospects monthly. The purpose of the visits is to cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors for current and deferred gifts of $50,000+ to benefit the UGA Foundation in support of the fundraising goals for the supported PSO unit. 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.
• Provide individualized stewardship for donors, including regular updates, personalized communications and tours, and response to inquiries, ensuring donors have meaningful connections to their impact.
• Communicate updates in a timely manner with PSO unit leadership, UGA and PSO administration, and the Senior Director of Development for PSO.
• Supervise the Development & Stewardship Associate.

Percentage of time 60 Duties/Responsibilities

• Oversee a comprehensive private giving program addressing tributes, sponsorships for fundraising events and programs, capital campaigns, annual appeals, planned giving marketing, recognition efforts and stewardship for the supported PSO unit.
• Prepare and deliver timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, reports, and other fundraising materials to support donor qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.

Percentage of time 15 Duties/Responsibilities

• Partner with UGA's Office of Business Engagement and Foundation Relations to submit requests for gifts/grants.
• Engage with central development colleagues to connect with interested UGA supporters and to collaborate on donor cultivation and solicitation.
• Collaborate with departments across the supported PSO unit to maintain a strong understanding of their needs and strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of the supported PSO unit and its programs, building strong relationships with key personnel, to clearly and compellingly communicate the unit's needs to donors and prospects, both in writing and conversation.
• Collaborate with colleagues to develop compelling, collaborative, tailored proposal materials for priority funding opportunities.
• Secure required internal approvals and submit proposals in a timely manner.

Percentage of time 15 Duties/Responsibilities

• Research gift prospects as required using internal and online data resources and prepare briefing materials as needed.
• Write reports on donor visits, detailing outcomes and knowledge gained. Record all donor engagement actions and reports in the university development division database.
• Complete follow-up after each visit. Send thank you notes and information requested by the donors/prospects.
• Attend 1:1 monthly meetings with the director of the supported PSO unit and the Senior Director of Development. 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 regular reports to the Board of Advisors and attend regular Board meetings to update and engage Board members.
• Attend donor events (occasional evenings/weekends required) to maximize engagement and support the development division.

Percentage of time 10

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 Matthew Bishop Recruitment Contact Email mlbishop@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a valid Driver's license?
   • YES
   • NO

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

1. List of References with Contact Information