Director of Development, Athletics

The USF Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is an integral part of USF and its mission by sponsoring a diverse and nationally competitive Division I athletic program. The program serves several significant constituencies, including its student-athletes, who are students first. The most important priority of the program is the progress of the student-athletes toward graduation. Other priorities include the health, fitness and emotional development of student-athletes at USF. Intercollegiate Athletics provide a sense of collegiality, allegiance, and pride for students, staff , faculty, alumni, boosters and the greater Tampa Bay community at large and serves as a focal point for their support. Within the framework of competitive excellence, Intercollegiate Athletics at USF are also a contact vehicle leading supporters to a greater awareness of the University's mission, academic programs and prominence as an educational institution.

The Director of Development is a key driver for the philanthropic efforts for USF Athletics by managing a portfolio of high-capacity donors and securing major and leadership gifts ($25,000+).

This role is responsible for driving revenue, advancing strategic donor relationships, and leveraging data and AI to enhance fundraising performance and decision-making.

Performance Metrics

• Donor engagement (meetings and interactions)
• Pipeline growth and movement
• Proposal volume and quality
• Effective use of data and AI tools
• Achievement of annual fundraising goal

Portfolio Management & Engagement

• Manage and advance major gift prospects through all stages of the donor lifecycle
• Conduct 10 - 14 donor meetings and 20 - 25 meaningful interactions monthly
• Complete 3 - 5 qualification meetings per month to grow the pipeline

Fundraising & Proposal Strategy

• Develop and close 8–15 major gift proposals annually
• Structure multi-year and leadership-level gifts aligned with Athletics priorities
• Achieve an assigned annual fundraising goal

Strategic Collaboration

• Partner across Athletics and campus to maximize donor impact
• Lead and contribute to 3 - 4 collaborative proposals annually
• Support team strategy 

AI, Data & Innovation

• Utilize CRM, analytics, and AI tools to identify prospects and guide strategy
• Apply data-driven insights to improve targeting, forecasting, and donor engagement
• Embrace innovative approaches to enhance efficiency and personalization

Pipeline & Performance Management

• Build and manage a strong, forward-looking donor pipeline
• Maintain accurate CRM activity, strategy, and reporting
• Track performance against activity, proposal, and revenue goals

This position requires Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience related to development or other appropriate professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven success securing major gifts or comparable outcomes
• Strong communication, strategic thinking, and organizational skills

 

• 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.

Core Competencies

• Strategic, results-driven, and accountable
• Exceptional relationship builder
• Data-informed and forward-thinking
• Collaborative and team-oriented

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.