About this role
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.
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 Regional Director of Development serves as a regional fundraising expert responsible for advancing the University of South Florida's philanthropic priorities through strategic relationship-building in key markets. Based in the Atlanta metropolitan area, this position will maintain a strong and consistent presence within the region while also supporting additional areas. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Colleges and Units, the Regional Director of Development will identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift prospects capable of making gifts of $50,000 and above. Working collaboratively with college and unit development officers, the Regional Director of Development will help deepen USF's presence in key markets by coordinating prospect strategies, facilitating meaningful donor engagement opportunities, and connecting donors' philanthropic interests with university priorities. Employees of USF Advancement live out the values of responsibility, innovation, service, and excellence in each of its highly collaborative departments. We use trusted data and ethical AI to enhance decision-making, strengthen engagement, and enable our teams to focus on what matters most: relationships and impact.
• Build and manage a robust portfolio of prospects to identify, cultivate, solicit, and secure major gifts of $50,000+ for top funding priorities. • Apply prospect research, fundraising expertise, creativity, and intuition in identifying and cultivating potential donors. • Strategically manage relationships through face-to-face and virtual visits to bring major gift solicitations to successful closure. • Continuously update the prospect management database with information related to donor strategies, contacts, and results. • Develop and execute regional engagement strategies that support donor identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship activities. • Coordinate closely with college and unit development officers to ensure a seamless and donor-centered approach to relationship management and fundraising strategy. • Serve as an active member of the Regional Development team, bringing creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking to regional fundraising efforts. • Work collaboratively with colleges, schools, units, and central advancement offices, including Advancement Services, Research and Prospect Management, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Principal Gifts, and Gift Planning. • Provide market insights and recommendations to Advancement leadership regarding emerging philanthropic opportunities and trends within assigned regions. • Support fundraising efforts in a designated secondary market, balancing prospect activity to maximize institutional impact and travel efficiency. • Utilize trusted data, analytics, and approved AI-enabled tools while adhering to university policies and ethical standards. • Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to accomplish the responsibilities and functions related to this position.
This position requires Bachelor's degree and 5 years of experience related to development or other appropriate professional experience. 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.