Position Summary:

Gator Boosters, Inc. is seeking a dynamic, relationship-driven leader to serve as its next Executive Director for the University Athletic Association (UAA). A key fundraising arm of the UAA, Gator Boosters, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds for athletic scholarships, capital improvements, and programmatic support for the University of Florida’s 21-sport intercollegiate athletics program. The Executive Director provides strategic leadership and day-to-day management of the organization, overseeing a team of 12-15 staff members and driving philanthropic growth across three core pillars: major gifts, donor stewardship, and alumni outreach and engagement. While Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) will be a component of the broader fundraising landscape, this role is first and foremost the organization’s chief fundraiser, charged with building a major gifts program from the ground up and growing major giving by as much as 8x current levels. The Executive Director works with the UAA Athletics Director and Chief Commercial Officer, holds budget and P&L oversight, and will partner closely with a high-level concierge-focused team member dedicated to white-glove, donor-facing service. This individual will serve as a visible and trusted ambassador for Gator Athletics, cultivating a service driven culture that deepens engagement with the Gator Nation’s more than 600,000 living alumni and a broad, passionate donor base.  

About Gator Boosters:

Gator Boosters, Inc. is a fundraising arm of the University Athletic Association (UAA), the nonprofit entity that administers the University of Florida’s intercollegiate athletics program. Founded on the principle of “The Team Behind the Teams,” Gator Boosters funds athletic scholarships covering tuition, room and board, books, fees, and academic and sports medicine support for more than 500 student-athletes across all 21 Gator sports. Member contributions also fund the construction, renovation, and maintenance of athletic facilities essential to recruiting and retaining elite coaches and student-athletes. The UAA receives no direct state funding; private support through Gator Boosters is therefore critical to the program’s competitive success and championship ambitions. Gator Boosters carries a strong brand built over decades of deep connection with the Gator fanbase, and brand equity within the Gator Nation remains strong. With more than 24 million people living in the state of Florida and more than 500,000 living University of Florida alumni - nearly two-thirds of whom remain in-state - the organization has a significant, largely untapped opportunity to build a modern major gifts program from the ground up, particularly as the UAA embarks on a significant stadium renovation.

About Florida Gator Athletics:

Florida Gator Athletics is among the most decorated programs in the history of collegiate sports. The Gators compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) across 21 NCAA Division I sports and have finished in the top 10 of the NACDA Directors’ Cup all-sports standings for 42 consecutive years - the only program in the nation to achieve that distinction. UF is one of only two programs to have claimed a national championship in each complete season since 2008–09. Most recently, the Gators captured the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship, making UF the only school in NCAA history to win three national titles in both football and men’s basketball. Since 1972, 239 Gators have participated in the Olympic Games, earning 156 medals including 74 gold. Under the leadership of Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, the UAA is committed to delivering a championship experience with integrity on and off the field for every Gator student-athlete and the Gator Nation.

Living & Working in Gainesville, FL:

Gainesville, Florida offers the energy and amenities of a thriving college city with the warmth and livability of a close-knit community. Situated in north-central Florida, Gainesville enjoys a vibrant arts and dining scene, diverse outdoor recreation, and a cost of living well below the national average. The city is home to more than 150,000 residents and is consistently recognized as one of Florida’s most desirable places to live. With a mild year-round climate, easy access to both Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and a community deeply connected to the University of Florida, Gainesville offers an exceptional quality of life for professionals and families alike.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide visionary leadership and day-to-day management of Gator Boosters, Inc., including direct supervision of a team of 12-15 staff members, including a dedicated concierge-level team member focused exclusively on white-glove donor service; establish clear objectives, performance standards, and a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan as outlined by UAA leadership; set ambitious yet achievable goals for annual giving, major gifts, scholarship endowments, and capital campaigns, including potential support for stadium renovation and other priority facility projects.
• Personally qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major and principal gift donors; build and sustain deep, long-term philanthropic relationships with alumni, fans, and corporate partners across Florida and nationally. Build a major gifts program from a blank canvas - encompassing donor naming opportunities, premium ticket access, scholarship endowments, and other high-impact giving vehicles, particularly in connection with the ongoing stadium renovation - with the goal of growing major giving by as much as 8x current levels.
• Oversee and grow scholarship funding programs to ensure full scholarship support for all student-athletes; champion the student-athlete experience as a core pillar of donor engagement and stewardship.
• Establish and model a white-glove, concierge-level service standard throughout the organization; ensure every interaction with donors, members, and constituents reflects hospitality, respect, and an unwavering commitment to the Gator Nation.
• Participate in weekly Florida Gators leadership meetings (held every Monday), gaining direct exposure to and alignment with all external units including, but not limited to, sponsorship, ticketing, hospitality, and stadium renovation initiatives; partner closely with sales and marketing, which now operate as a unified function rather than in silos, to ensure fundraising strategy is fully integrated with broader revenue-generation efforts.
• Foster a culture of open communication, organizational alignment, and cross-functional collaboration; encourage teams to share information freely, operate with transparency, and support one another in advancing shared philanthropic goals.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the UAA Director of Athletics, Chief Commercial Officer and other senior university leadership; provide timely, data-informed reporting on fundraising progress, donor pipeline status, and organizational performance.
• Design and deliver meaningful, high-touch engagement experiences for donors and members; create opportunities that deepen connection to Gator Athletics, recognize generosity, and inspire continued and elevated giving.
• Manage prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship processes in accordance with established policies; direct and refine systems for tracking top prospects and ensuring the integrity of donor data and reporting.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing, mission-aligned team; mentor staff on best practices in prospect cultivation, donor relations, and fundraising strategy; invest in professional development and succession planning.
• Develop and manage the Gator Boosters budget; assist in financial planning, resource allocation, and the preparation and analysis of statistical data to support sound organizational decision-making.
• Ensure full compliance with NCAA, SEC, and University of Florida policies and regulations governing donor and booster relationships; uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all fundraising activities.
• Think boldly and act with ambition; champion innovative approaches to donor engagement, scholarship support, and community-building while maintaining the stewardship practices that sustain long-term philanthropic relationships.
• Other duties as assigned.

Communications/Interpersonal Relationships:

Interacts with:

• Gator Boosters Board of Directors – in conjunction with the UAA Athletics Director and Chief Commercial Officer to report on organizational performance and hold accountability for the budget and P&L of Gator Boosters, Inc.
• Director of Athletics / UAA Leadership – to align fundraising strategy with program priorities and report on development activity and donor pipeline.
• Major and Principal Gift Donors – to cultivate, solicit, and steward high-level philanthropic support for scholarships, facilities, and endowments.
• Gator Boosters Development Staff – to manage, mentor, and collaborate across a team of 12-15, including a dedicated concierge-level donor service team member, in pursuit of annual fundraising objectives.
• UF Alumni Association and University Advancement – to coordinate outreach to the 600,000+ living alumni network and align with university-wide philanthropic priorities.
• Coaches and Athletic Staff – as directed by the UAA Athletics Director and Chief Commercial Officer, engage program-specific donor bases and facilitate meaningful connections between donors and Gator student-athletes and coaches.
• Peers and Professional Organizations – to benchmark best practices, stay current on advancement trends, and represent Gator Boosters in the broader athletics fundraising community.

Supervision Exercised:

• Direct supervision is exercised over a team of 12-15 Gator Boosters staff members, including development officers, gift planning staff, alumni outreach and engagement personnel, and administrative support. A high-level concierge team member, dedicated to delivering white-glove, donor-facing service, will report directly into this role.

Required Education/Experience Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in business, communications, public administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of eight to ten years of progressively responsible experience in fundraising, advancement, or athletic development, with demonstrated success in major gift solicitation and closure at the $100,000 level and above.
• Experience in collegiate athletics fundraising, ideally at the Power 4 or SEC level, strongly preferred; prior executive or senior leadership experience in an athletics development or booster organization is a significant advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a chief fundraiser and build a major gifts program from the ground up; experience setting and achieving ambitious, transformational fundraising growth targets is highly valued.
• Familiarity with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) fundraising dynamics is a plus, though this role is centered on traditional major gifts, stewardship, and alumni engagement rather than NIL collective management.
• Demonstrated success leading, coaching, and managing teams; ability to build a culture of excellence, accountability, and servant leadership.
• Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills; natural connector who inspires trust and loyalty among donors, staff, and institutional partners.
• Deep commitment to a hospitality-first, white-glove service philosophy; proven ability to deliver high-touch, concierge-level experiences that strengthen donor loyalty and organizational reputation.
• Strong organizational and communications skills; ability to operate transparently, share information effectively across functions, and engage a broad constituency with clarity and credibility.
• Knowledge of and ability to provide guidance on tax laws, gift planning vehicles, and policies and procedures governing charitable donations to athletic organizations.
• Willingness to travel and to attend evenings, weekends, and special events as required; valid driver’s license required.
• An authentic passion for the University of Florida and Gator Athletics; ability to serve as a compelling, credible spokesperson for the mission and impact of Gator Boosters, Inc.

Any interested candidates should contact ZRG directly.

Contacting Gator Boosters or University of Florida will only delay consideration of your qualifications.

Application Process:

• Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references at WWW.ZRGPARTNERS.COM/JOBBOARD

ZRG’s Commitment:

• At ZRG, we do not just accept differences - we celebrate and support it. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, marital or partnership status, military or veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. ZRG is an equal opportunity employer and workplace, and we encourage applicants of all backgrounds & communities to apply.