Development Officer

University of Georgia

Athens, GA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
SKILLS
Alumni Relations, Background Investigation, Business Administration, Calendar Management, Communication Skills, Computer Workstations, Data Collection, Database Management Software/Systems (DBMS), Donor Development, Employee Benefits, Establish Priorities, Fast Food, Financial Management, Financial Support, Fundraising, Higher Education, Industry Standards, Leadership, Lift/Move 50 Pounds, LinkedIn, Marketing, Mentoring, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Multitasking, News Reporting, Nonprofit, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Project/Program Management, Relationship Management, Retirement Plan, Return on Investment (ROI), Safety/Work Safety, Sales, Sales Management, Software Administration, Strategic Planning, Team Player, Time Management, Willing to Travel, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Athens, GA
POSTED
30+ days ago

Posting Details

Posting Details

Posting Number S15181P Working Title Development Officer Department DAR-Leadership Giving About the University of Georgia

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

Division of Development and Alumni Relations

The Division of Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Georgia advances the goals, objectives, and priorities of the university by generating private financial support, building, and maintaining relationships with alumni and donors, and assisting students with career development opportunities.

Office of Leadership Giving

The Leadership Giving team builds and maintains relationships with alumni and friends to raise leadership and qualify major gifts for the University of Georgia. Through frequent travel to assigned cities, this team provides strategic direction and leadership for alumni and friends as they make philanthropic and volunteer decisions.

College/Unit/Department website https://give.uga.edu/ and https://dar.uga.edu/ Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information

8:00am-5:00pm; Willing and able to work evenings and weekends, as necessary.

Advertised Salary $59,280 Posting Date 05/19/2026 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 07/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants

  • This position is structured as a permanent position within the Division of Development & Alumni Relations. We are unable to sponsor a work visa for this position.

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 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well 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 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Position Information

Classification Title Major Gifts Officer I FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree with 1-3 years of professional experience related to fundraising, nonprofit management, higher education, sales, marketing, development, business administration, project management, or relationship management. Graduate-level degree may be substituted for experience.
  • Knowledge of the University of Georgia is desired.

Position Summary

The Development Officer serves as a frontline fundraiser for the University of Georgia central development office and is responsible for raising financial support for university-wide priorities as well as priorities for each school, college, and unit within the university. Through frequent travel to assigned geographic areas, the Development Officer will conduct in-person meetings to qualify, cultivate, and solicit individual prospects with a focus on securing annual leadership level gifts of $1,500-$10,000 while also qualifying major gift prospects for future cultivation in collaboration with major gift officers.

The position reports to the Director of Leadership Giving and actively partners with the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) division and other University departments to develop and execute prospect strategies and special initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

  • Innovative self-starter who displays an ability to learn quickly and easily adapts to changing situations
  • Emotionally intelligent individual with excellent written and oral communication skills who can work effectively with various stakeholders
  • Highly motivated professional who is coachable and desires to learn and grow in this position
  • Results-driven performer who is comfortable setting and achieving challenging goals
  • Active collaborator who enjoys working with people and desires to work in a team-based environment
  • Trustworthy teammate who operates with the highest level of integrity, honesty, and respect
  • Comfortable working with database management software and maintaining sensitive information
  • Knowledgeable of Word, Excel, and email

Additional Division Expectations:

  • Through open, honest, and respectful communication, all staff, supervisors, and colleagues of the Division of Development & Alumni Relations are expected to interact with fairness, compassion, and decency. All employees will be held accountable for meeting the expectation of promoting a stable, productive, and healthy work environment.
  • Adherence to CASE standards and commonly accepted industry standards relating to fundraising reporting are expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.

Physical Demands

  • Work in a standard office environment
  • Travel in and out of state, as necessary
  • Sit and work at a computer workstation for an extended amount of time
  • Work using electronic mail, telephone, face-to-face discussions, paper form correspondence
  • Communicate effectively in writing, speaking, and listening
  • Organize and establish priorities; Remember detail; multi-task
  • Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
  • Walk, stand, stoop, lift, kneel, climb

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? No 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

Conduct scheduled face-to-face meetings with prospective donors, alumni, and UGA constituents in assigned geographic areas. The purpose of the meetings is to qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward University-wide prospects and donors. Goals are established and agreed upon annually by the Director of Leadership Giving and the Development Officer.

  • Responsible for achieving all annual fundraising and performance goals and for allocating and prioritizing time and resources to achieve the greatest return on investment.

Percentage of time 50 Duties/Responsibilities

Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance.

  • Record all meetings, interactions, and plans in the giving & alumni database (GAIL) in a thorough and timely manner.
  • Regularly complete reports and submit required information needed to track fundraising performance.

Percentage of time 20 Duties/Responsibilities

Create collaborative partnerships with development and alumni colleagues across campus to build effective fundraising strategies and maximize donor potential.

  • When appropriate, partner with colleagues from the 20 schools, colleges and units to secure gifts benefiting their respective areas.
  • Attend division and development staff meetings and scheduled individual strategy meetings.

Percentage of time 15 Duties/Responsibilities

Pursue continuous learning and growth.

  • Actively participate in opportunities for professional development to gain new skills, take on new challenges, receive professional mentorship, explore the field of Development and Alumni Relations, and expand knowledge about the University and its mission.

Percentage of time 10 Duties/Responsibilities

Perform other duties as assigned to include, but not limited to:

  • Completing special projects and initiatives
  • Collecting and presenting data
  • Staffing university-related events
  • Cultivating and stewarding prospects not originally assigned

Percentage of time 5

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 Development & Alumni Relations' Office of Talent Management Recruitment Contact Email dartalent@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

    • How did you hear about this job opportunity in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR)?
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • DAR Careers Page
  • Handshake
  • Insight Into Academia
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • LinkedIn
  • UGAJobs (UGA's job board)
  • Other (Please provide name of source)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  • Resume/CV
  • Cover Letter

Optional Documents

About the Company

U

University of Georgia