Make a difference at one of Florida’s premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.
The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly’s deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.
Gift Services and Donor Relations SpecialistThe Gift Services, Donor Relations, and Events Specialist supports the Development Office by ensuring accurate processing of gifts and pledges, maintaining donor records, coordinating donor stewardship activities, and planning and executing advancement events that strengthen relationships with alumni, donors, and community partners. This position combines the technical accuracy of gift processing and compliance with the relational aspects of donor acknowledgment, recognition, and retention, while delivering high-quality events that enhance the donor experience and advance the University's fundraising and engagement goals.
Responsibilities:
Gift Processing & Data Management
Record, code, and process gifts, pledges, payments, bequests, matching gifts, and other contributions in compliance with IRS, CASE, FASB, and university regulations.
Maintain the integrity of donor and gift data in the CRM/database, including creation of new designations and appeal codes.
Reconcile gift transactions with Finance and prepare regular assurance and reconciliation reports.
Generate gift receipts, pledge reminders, adjustments, and write-offs.
Reporting & Analysis
Prepare monthly and ad hoc reports on giving, campaign progress, and donor activity.
Support leadership with data for feasibility studies, campaign planning, and donor strategies.
Provide insight into donor trends and long-term philanthropic planning.
Donor Relations & Stewardship
Write, prepare, and disseminate correspondence, including acknowledgment letters, impact reports for endowments, reports for major gifts non-endowed, and other Advancement communications.
Information Services & Compliance
Serve as a key resource for CRM/database training and support to Development staff.
Maintain data integrity, security, and accuracy across advancement systems.
Ensure that policies and procedures for gift processing and donor relations are up to date and consistently followed.
Support internal and external compliance audits related to charitable contributions.
Other duties as assigned.
Advancement Events Management
Plan, coordinate, and execute advancement-related events, including donor recognition programs, campaign celebrations, alumni gatherings, stewardship events, groundbreaking ceremonies, naming opportunities, and fundraising activities.
Develop event timelines, budgets, and project plans to ensure successful execution.
Coordinate venues, catering, audiovisual needs, invitations, registration processes, transportation, and other logistical requirements.
Partner with University departments, vendors, volunteers, alumni, and community stakeholders to support event objectives.
Manage event guest lists, RSVP tracking, seating assignments, and post-event follow-up activities.
Develop event briefing materials and coordinate donor engagement opportunities for University leadership.
Evaluate event effectiveness through attendance metrics, participant feedback, and outcomes analysis, making recommendations for continuous improvement.
Ensure events reflect the University's brand standards and deliver exceptional experiences that cultivate and strengthen donor relationships.
Information Services & Compliancethat policies and procedures for gift processing, donor relations, and event management are up to date
Serve as a key resource for CRM/database training and support to Development staff.
Maintain data integrity, security, and accuracy across advancement systems.
Ensure policies and procedures for gift processing, donor relations, and event management are current and consistently followed.
Create and use workflows in the CRM to assist and enhance donor stewardship.
Support internal and external compliance audits related to charitable contributions.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in higher education advancement.
Experience planning donor, alumni, or fundraising events.
Familiarity with Blackbaud, Raiser's Edge, Workday Advancement, or similar CRM systems.
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation or related event certification preferred.
Knowledge of CASE standards and donor stewardship best practices.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:
This position requires a criminal background check, which may include a Level II screening as required by Florida Statute §435.04.
This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.
NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This is an exempt position. The normal work schedule is Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; however, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required.
TARGET HIRING SALARY: $55,000 - $60,000), commensurate with experience.
LOCATION/WORK MODEL: Full-time/On-site
Note: Employment-based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.
at least
Application Deadline Date: The position will be posted for a minimum of 7 days; however, the review of applications will commence immediately.
APPLICATION PROCESS: In addition to completing the online application, all Applicants are required to upload the following as an attachment to the application (preferably in PDF format):
Cover Letter
Resume
Three (3) professional references
If any of these three items are not included, you will not be considered for the position.
References will not be contacted unless you are selected as a finalist for the position.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT:
Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.
Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.
FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION
Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.
Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.
RETIREMENT
Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click Herefor more information.
OTHER BENEFITS
To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008
Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program
EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDA
Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS:
Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered.
An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire.
Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.
All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.
This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute §435.04.
