UGA Senior Regional Director of Regional Programs

About the University of Georgia:

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 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 3,000 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department: 

The Regional Program team builds and maintains relationships with alumni and friends to raise major gifts for the University of Georgia. The Regional Directors build a culture of philanthropy in regions across the country while strengthening affinity for UGA. Through frequent travel to assigned cities, this team provides strategic direction and leadership for alumni and friends as they make philanthropic and volunteer decisions.

Position Summary: 

As the manager of the Atlanta based fundraising team, the Senior Regional Director will oversee a team of individuals responsible for fundraising primarily in the Atlanta market — including strategic outreach, meetings with constituents, and discovery of annual gift and major gift prospects – as well as establishing a major gift portfolio of their own.
 

This team is an extension of the development efforts of all 17 schools and colleges in addition to the various academic units and the Athletic Association. This team will exemplify a donor centered approach by maximizing a donor’s philanthropic potential and passion to invest in any area of the University of Georgia.

Regional Directors make strategic engagement with alumni, parents, and friends a top priority by using a blend of in-person constituent meetings, virtual meetings when they are necessary for a donor-centered approach, and collaboration with internal stakeholders to engage individuals and organizations in their local markets. Expectations are for Regional Directors to conduct up to 160 planned, strategic meetings with top prospects each year. Most of those meetings will be in-person based on planned and coordinated outreach. Travel should be coordinated around the availability of top prospects and coordinated with key internal stakeholders.

The Development Officer will be affiliated with the Athens-based Development Officer team and will be expected to meet monthly and annual goals for discovery meetings previously unengaged alumni and donors as well as solicitations for annual gifts at the President’s Club level and above ($1,500+). They make up to 180 planned, strategic meetings with leadership annual and major gift prospects each year.

The Senior Regional Director position is expected to lead regular team meetings and one-on-one meetings with team members to ensure metrics-based performance is achieved, team members are focused on strategy, collaborating internally, and conducting proper follow-up with prospects. The senior regional director will report to and partner with the senior director of regional programs on high-level gift strategy, campus partnership, and strategic planning for the members and the team.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field.  Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• At least 5 years of professional experience related to fundraising and development in Higher Education, preferably an R1 institution.
• Master’s degree.
• Demonstrated success as a fundraiser with a proven track record of working with key levels of leadership to secure major gifts ($25k and up) for multiple institutional priorities.
• Experience in planning, developing, and executing successful fundraising strategy.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team of major gift fundraisers.

Location of Vacancy: Atlanta Area

EEO Policy Statement: 

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).