Senior Director of Development, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

Location: Athens Area

Proposed Start Date: 10/01/2026

About the Role

As the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences' chief development officer, the Senior Director of Development leads fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives that increase philanthropic support and deepen constituent connections. This role provides strategic direction for development and alumni relations programs that advance the college’s long-term goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead fundraising and alumni engagement initiatives to increase philanthropic support.
• Provide strategic direction for development and alumni relations programs.
• Develop and execute strategic and comprehensive fundraising plans to achieve goals.
• Engage with senior administration and strategize with various groups and constituents.
• Nurture and motivate high-level volunteers and express appreciation for their contributions.
• Plan and execute events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.
• 12 years of professional experience, including 5 years of supervisory experience.

Qualifications

• A demonstrated track record of successful frontline fundraising, including principal gift experience (discovery through solicitation and stewardship).
• Progressively responsible fundraising or related experience and leadership experience, including work in all functional areas of development and leadership in a major capital campaign.
• Previous work experience in higher education and in a hybrid centralized-decentralized fundraising model involving colleges/schools/units.
• Strength in developing and executing strategic and comprehensive fundraising plans to achieve goals.
• Experience working with senior administration and ability to effectively strategize and engage various groups and constituents.
• Experience nurturing and motivating high-level volunteers.
• Event planning experience.
• Knowledge and experience using Blackbaud CRM system.

About the 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.

About the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest, largest, and most academically diverse college at the University of Georgia. In many ways, it is at the heart of UGA, the nation’s first state-chartered institution of higher education. The first classes were taught in 1801 in a forest clearing on what is now the University’s historic North Campus. In 1806, the first permanent brick building was constructed on campus and named Franklin College in honor of Benjamin Franklin. The building, later renamed Old College, houses the administrative offices of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences as well as classroom space.

Franklin College and the University of Georgia were often used interchangeably to describe the fledgling institution until 1859, when the College of Law became the second college on a campus that now boasts 16 schools and colleges. The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the largest and most academically diverse college at the University of Georgia with over 11,000 students, over 800 faculty, and three of the five most popular undergraduate majors at UGA – biology, psychology, and computer science. The college has 78 undergraduate majors, 35 master’s degree programs, and 31 doctoral degree programs. Franklin College has more than 100,000 alumni, which is one-third of the entire University of Georgia alumni base.

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. 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 the newly established School of Medicine.