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
The Regional Development team builds and maintains relationships with alumni and friends to raise major gifts for the University of Georgia. 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.
College/Unit/Department website
www.dar.uga.edu and https://give.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
Commensurate qualifications and experience
Posting Date
04/06/2026
Open until filled
Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date
06/01/2026
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.
While this position is primarily based in Athens, GA, the hiring unit is open to considering a mobile work arrangement for candidates residing in Dallas/Houston Texas and/or Atlanta/Athens Georgia (with the expectation of frequent travel to our primary markets in Texas.).
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.
Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with at least 5 years of professional experience related to sales, marketing, development, business administration, higher education, project management, or relationship management.
Major gift fundraising in Higher Education ($50k and up)
Knowledge of private funding landscape in higher education
Ability to maintain high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to university business and confidential donor and prospect information.
Position Summary
The Regional Development team is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with alumni and friends to raise major gifts for the University of Georgia. The Regional Directors of Development build a culture of philanthropy in regions across the country while strengthening affinity for the University. Through traveling to various territories, Regional Directors provide strategic direction and leadership for UGA's alumni and friends as they make philanthropic and volunteer decisions across the university.
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 meetings will be in-person based on planned and coordinated outreach. Travel should be coordinated with the availability of top prospects and coordinated with key internal stakeholders.
This team is an extension of the development efforts of all 25+ schools and colleges, in addition to the various academic units and the Athletic Association. Because this group spans a wide geographical area and represents the entire university, regional directors demonstrate a donor-centered approach by maximizing each donor's philanthropic potential and passion for investing in any area of the University of Georgia.
This Regional Director's assigned regions include cities and territories across Texas. Though subject to change based on institutional priority, this position may include other regions to be determined as needed.
While this position is primarily based in Athens, GA, the hiring unit is open to considering a mobile work arrangement for candidates residing in Dallas/Houston, Texas, and/or Atlanta/Athens, Georgia (with the expectation of frequent travel to our primary markets in Texas).
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
Proven record of accomplishment and success in fundraising or a similar role
Ability to cultivate and solicit private gifts from high-level prospects
Self-starter and highly motivated
Collaborative style combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment.
Excellent writing skills with extreme attention to detail, and confident, strong verbal communication
Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible.
Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations
Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects
Analytical, with adherence to self-guided goals and deadlines
Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities
Skilled using Microsoft Office products such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Creative thinker with ability to receive constructive feedback on ideas
Ability to respond to donors' needs and concerns in a kind and professional way
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 is expected of all fundraisers. All fundraisers will be held accountable for meeting this expectation.
Physical Demands
Conduct business across the state of Texas
Travel in and out of state
Work evenings and weekends, 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 details; multitask
Lift and/or move up to 20 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 monthly scheduled meetings with prospective donors, alumni, assigned portfolio, and UGA constituents in assigned regions. The scheduled meetings' goal, along with a fundraising goal, will be agreed upon annually during strategic planning and revisited quarterly.
The purpose of the meetings is to discover, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward University-wide prospects and donors.
Basic expectation of a meeting is that it is a scheduled and agreed-upon face-to-face meeting between the Regional Director and the prospect.
Territories include cities assigned to the Regional Director based on institutional priority, wealth ratings, and alumni density.
Purpose of the meetings is to cultivate, solicit, and steward assigned and newly identified prospects and donors for current and deferred gifts of $50k+ to benefit any School, College, or Unit within the University of Georgia.
Percentage of time
40
Duties/Responsibilities
Design and implement fundraising strategies to secure Principal gifts ($1 million+) and major gifts ($50k+) in support of the University's strategic priorities. Fundraising goals are established and agreed upon annually by the Senior Regional Director and the Regional Director in consultation with the Senior Director of Regional Programs.
Develop and continue to increase a portfolio of prospects with capacity of $50k+ in collaboration with the Research & Prospect Management teams and the Senior Regional Director. The regional development team has an emphasis on $100k+ solicitations.
When appropriate, participate in prospect strategy meetings with Regional Team, Research & Prospect Management team, volunteers, etc.
Percentage of time
20
Duties/Responsibilities
Complete managerial processes critical to travel, scheduled meetings, and fundraising performance.
Complete telephone/correspondence/preparation/follow-up; record meetings, interactions, and plans in the giving & alumni database ( GAIL ) in a thorough and timely manner after the completion of individual meetings and/or trips.
Prepare timely, accurate, and relevant proposals, presentations, and other fundraising materials as needed for solicitation.
Develop a strategy or plan for each prospect assigned, with a written solicitation strategy in place for each person.
Plan and/or participate in quarterly strategy planning sessions for assigned regions with internal university stakeholders.
Perform administrative duties as needed.
Percentage of time
20
Duties/Responsibilities
Work collaboratively with development and alumni colleagues across campus on prospects, alumni, and constituents to maximize giving potential for Schools, Colleges, and Units' fundraising priorities.
Create and execute fundraising plans for assigned regions with School/College/Unit fundraisers and other internal stakeholders.
Work with School/College/Unit fundraisers to fulfill requests to schedule meetings with prospects for the Regional Director's assigned regions.
Attend division and development staff meetings, schedule individual strategy meetings, as well as agreed-upon professional development activities.
Percentage of time
20
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
Job ID: 84591523
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Median Salary
Net Salary per month
$3,519
Median Apartment Rent in City Center
(1-3 Bedroom)
$1,333
-
$2,306
$1,820
Safety Index
50/100
50
Utilities
Basic
(Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage for 915 sq ft apartment)
$85
-
$600
$157
High-Speed Internet
$50
-
$125
$64
Transportation
Gasoline
(1 gallon)
$2.76
Taxi Ride
(1 mile)
$3.75
Data is collected and updated regularly using reputable sources, including corporate websites and governmental reporting institutions.
