Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and one year of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The Development Communications Specialist plays a key role in advancing the fundraising mission of the University of Florida (UF) Health Science Center (HSC). This position is responsible for developing compelling content to support philanthropic initiatives, including annual giving appeals, alumni outreach, donor newsletters featuring patient and human-interest stories, email and social media campaigns, event promotions, and other fundraising communications.

Reporting to the Director of Advancement Communications for UF Health Advancement, the Development Communications Specialist collaborates closely with UF Health Communications and UF Advancement’s Strategic Communications, Marketing & Engagement, and Donor Relations teams. Together, they craft messaging and campaign materials that inspire donor engagement and deepen connections with the UF HSC.

This role supports cultivating lasting relationships between the UF Health Science Center and its supporters by recognizing, encouraging, and stewarding ongoing and increased giving, guided by industry standards and best practices.

Strategic Communications
•           Conceptualize, create, develop and write materials in support of fundraising goals, such as annual fund appeals, alumni solicitations, philanthropy newsletter content that includes patient stories or human-interest features, email and social media campaigns, special events, and other fundraising initiatives.
•           Write compelling digital and print appeals for UF Health Advancement support for a variety of campaigns and special initiatives.
•           Assist UF Health Creative Services when needed with philanthropy content for institutional publications.
•           Interact closely with development staff to obtain and organize information and materials to best write, edit, research and design quality content tailored to each donor or prospect.
•           Collaborate with UF Creative Services and UF Advancement's Strategic Communications, Marketing & Engagement teams to develop communications and publication materials; follow established project management, review, and approval processes.
•           Write and formulate cultivation materials, including fundraising brochures and campaign materials when needed.
•           Work in collaboration with Director of Advancement Communications and academic leaders to convey a consistent image of the impact of philanthropy, and shape and communicate appropriate messages to donors about the mission and vision of UF Health.

Digital Communications & Marketing
•           Serve as a subject matter expert for digital communications and marketing; build collaborative, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
•           Oversee AI application guidelines as related to communications projects for UF Health Advancement, in adherence with University of Florida and UF Health policies and procedures.
•           Manage social media presence for UF Health Advancement, including messaging and calendar in support of campaign goals and deadlines.
•           Leverage existing digital communications platforms to enhance donor and alumni engagement with UF Health and partner teams/units.
•           Ensure relevant websites, social media accounts, and digital publications reflect accurate, timely, and appropriate messaging in alignment with UF Health and UF Advancement communication standards and expectations.
•           Prepare digital communication (email, web page copy) in support of UF Health Advancement campaign goals and deadlines.
•           Edit photos and video for digital campaign and social media use when needed.
•           Partner with UF Health Advancement teams to develop a data management and analysis framework to inform decision making and strategy development for increasing engagement with donors and increase grateful patient donor base.
•           Perform related duties as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishment of the responsibilities and functions related to this position.

Project Management
•           Create project outlines and production schedules according to campaign deadlines and goals.
•           Develop strategic communications plans and serve as a project manager for internal service partners in alignment with the communications beat system as projects relate to philanthropy.
•           Ensure that tasks and projects are completed at the highest quality and that deadlines and processes are met.
•           Proactively identify process obstacles, devise and document process solutions and maintain management system to maximize efficiency.
•           Participate in regular status meetings to inform team and stakeholders of project deliverables updates, and impending deadlines and milestones. Track project activities and results.
•           Develop and conceptualize short-term and long-term goals of each project using established attributes to achieve the vision, mission and values and effectively communicate project expectations.
•           Prioritize multiple assignments and plans and execute strategies to work independently and under limited time frames to meet deadlines. Ensure project deliverables are met.
•          Attend and participate in planning and strategy sessions about UF's top donors and prospects. Facilitate/coordinate communication projects that arise from strategy sessions.

Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and one year of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The ideal candidate will possess:
•           Five years or more of academic health science center development experience in the communications field preferred.
•           Excellent technical, persuasive writing and verbal communication skills.
•           Demonstrated journalistic writing abilities and professional publications or editorial experience preferred.
•           Demonstrated an understanding of fundraising in a healthcare environment.
•           Strong experience in social media and digital-first environments and comfortable using a variety of web-based applications for project management and content publishing.
•           Must possess a proficiency in communicating effectively with diverse audiences in conversations and through documents.
•           Must be an outstanding communicator and possess excellent written and verbal communication skills; interpersonal skills; and the ability to work collegially and interact effectively with a diverse constituency.
•           Knowledge of advancement philosophy and practices; higher education experience preferred.
•           Ability to problem-solve, using investigative research and analytical skills to develop and implement creative solutions.
•           Skill requiring judgment to take initiative, accurately establish priorities, complete complex assignments in a timely manner, and adapt quickly to changing needs and in dealing with people who present conflicting challenges.
•           Strong skills in these areas: Adobe Creative Suite, especially photo and video editing apps including Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere, as well as InDesign.
•           An appreciation for and support of diversity in the workplace in all its forms; proven success working with stakeholders; project management skills; experience in a data-driven environment; organizational skills; and the ability to lead, influence and motivate others are required.
•           Working knowledge in these areas:  Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams, internet browsers. Working knowledge of a donor database, contact management and tracking system.
•           The ability and willingness to travel.  A valid driver license and good driving record are essential.* 

*Business expenses are reimbursed through a standard accounting system.  The ability to pay for expenses using your own personal credit card or funds and have them reimbursed is essential. 

UF Advancement has defined the following critical competencies for organizational and position specific success:
•           Collaboration - Ability to work cooperatively with others to achieve the goals of the organization.
•           Shares own experience, resources and expertise with others breaking down barriers or organizational boundaries to ensure team’s success.
•           Assists in keeping levels of team performance and morale high.
•           Works cooperatively and recognizes diversity as a strength and uses it to the benefit of projects and goals.
•           Works to meet individual, business unit and university goals with the acknowledgment of, and cooperation with the achievement of others' goals.

•           Stakeholder Focus - Centralizes all efforts and tasks around meeting the needs of stakeholders to support the University of Florida.
•           Addresses stakeholder needs in a positive, timely and efficient manner by involving the right people and resources at the right time.
•           Understands the audience and seeks feedback to identify opportunities to improve the relationship and deliverables.
•           Creates stakeholder value utilizing service processes that attract, solidify and expand the total stakeholder relationship.
•           Considers the impact on all stakeholders when taking action, or carrying out one’s own job responsibilities.

•           Manages Execution - Consistently maintains a high level of action and results while working with effectiveness and determination.
•           Executes functional tasks in pursuit of the larger vision (thinks big, acts small).
•           Pursues goals with persistence, energy, drive, a positive attitude and a need to finish.
•           Consistently prepared with a high level of productivity, prioritizing tasks to work effectively and efficiently to make and meet expectations.
•           Uncovers problems and issues and removes barriers in order to move the work forward.

•           Accountability - Takes responsibility for work activities, personal actions and self-development.
•           Acts resourcefully, ensuring work is completed on time and to quality standards within legal guidelines and policies. 
•           Finds opportunities for personal and professional development keeping up-to-date on technical and functional aspects of one’s job.
•           Assumes personal ownership of complications immediately and follows through until resolved.
•           Accepts feedback openly, acknowledging and learning from mistakes, without becoming defensive.

•           Adaptability/ Innovation - Applies original thinking in approaching job responsibilities, overcoming challenges and adjusting to changes in one’s environment.
•           Sustains effectiveness in varying environments with different tasks, responsibilities, and people in the face of ambiguity or uncertainty.
•           Courageous with ideas; generates new ideas and creative solutions that impact results.
•           Maintains flexibility to accept, embrace and lead change.
•           Responds effectively to unique needs, adapting solutions and providing creative and/or flexible options.

•           Effective Communication - Ability to listen and effectively relay information to others in all forms of communication.
•           Communicates effectively and shares information appropriately with internal and external constituents through multiple mediums.
•           Interprets information, ideas, and instructions clearly in verbal and written communication.
•           Demonstrates active listening: checks for understanding and clarity by asking the right questions.
•           Maintains composure and communicates in a direct, truthful, transparent and positive manner.

•           Critical Thinking - Ability to obtain, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information effectively.
•           Utilizes logical reasoning to make judgments in accordance with established professional and organizational criteria.
•           Objectively identifies goals and makes decisions by considering both short-term and long-term implications.
•           Creatively identifies opportunities to increase efficiency, simplicity and revenue (understands finite resources).
•           Effectively recognizes and considers the forces, events, entities, and people that effect a situation before making a conclusion.

•           Organizational Acumen - The ability to understand and navigate governance, administration, and culture in the internal and external environment demonstrating commitment to organizational mission.
•           Acts in a decisive, timely and appropriate manner that is congruent with the organization’s values and goals.
•           Integrates and balances big picture concerns related to political, social and economic issues effecting the organization with day-to-day activities.
•           Knowledgeable of policies, practices, trends and information that impact the organization.
•           Demonstrates understanding of, alignment with, and a commitment to the university’s mission in serving our constituents.