Assistant Director, Student Engagement and Philanthropy

About the role

Philanthropy starts with people, and at UCF, we believe the habit of giving begins early. The Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Philanthropy plays a central role in building a culture of generosity among UCF's current students and graduating seniors, connecting them to the broader university community and setting the foundation for lifelong alumni engagement. In this role, you will lead student-facing programs and events, manage a volunteer ambassador group, coordinate experiences for UCF families, and run communications and campaigns that bring the value of private support to life for a student audience. This position blends student engagement, event management, and philanthropy, making it the perfect opportunity for someone who is energized by working with students and building programs that have long-term impact. Classification title: Assistant Director, Annual Giving

Responsibilities

• Student Philanthropy Programming
• Lead the student engagement and philanthropy program, including solicitations, events, digital campaigns, and communications designed to educate students on the importance of private support and grow participation across the student body.
• Ambassador Group Leadership
• Manage the 4EVER KNIGHTS program, UCF's student ambassador group that serves as the bridge between students and UCF Alumni. Responsibilities include recruiting and training volunteers, organizing events and tours, maintaining the program's web presence, and overseeing volunteer hour requirements.
• Senior Class & Alumni Transition Programming
• Collaborate across teams to create meaningful experiences that welcome graduating students into the UCF alumni community, including events, digital campaigns, and communications that celebrate their transition and build lasting connections.
• Family Programming & Events
• Plan and execute events for UCF families throughout the year, including the Family Weekend Tailgate and college admissions workshops. These programs serve as important touch points for families and are key to building a broader community of support around UCF students.
• Vendor & Budget Management
• Oversee vendor relationships, contracts, and budget management for student and family programming, ensuring events and initiatives are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with university and division standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6) .
• We welcome candidates with any of the following experience:
• Experience working directly with college students or student organizations, ideally in an advising, programming, or volunteer management capacity
• Background in higher education, alumni relations, and/or annual giving programs
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute events of varying size and complexity
• Experience managing or coordinating volunteer or ambassador programs
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing content for digital campaigns, email, or social media
• Comfort managing vendor relationships, contracts, and program budgets
• Familiarity with CRM or engagement platforms used in advancement or student affairs settings (e.g., Salesforce, Blackbaud CRM, or similar)
• The most successful candidates may possess the following qualities:
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple programs and deadlines simultaneously
• A collaborative, student-centered approach to work
• Additional Application Materials Required:
• Along with your application, please submit your most up-to-date resume. A cover letter is encouraged.
• Special Instructions to the Applicants:
• This position requires flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends to support events.
• All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.
• Classification title: Assistant Director, Annual Giving
• Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?
• As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are

Benefits

Additional Information

Advancement & Partnerships: Join our dynamic and growing Advancement & Partnerships team as we work together to power partnerships and transform lives through philanthropy. Together, we can unleash the potential of people and ideas to positively change the world. Your efforts on our team will help us to build the University for the Future.

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