Director of Development
Apply NowCompany: The University of Tennessee System
Location: Knoxville, TN 37918
Description:
Job Description
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Development, Regional Giving for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee region. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development for the Nashville region, the Director of Development is a front-line fundraiser responsible for securing significant philanthropic gifts to the university that impact UT Knoxville's students, faculty, colleges and campus to achieve its fullest potential.
The purpose of this position is to secure significant philanthropic funding by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, negotiating, and stewarding donors and prospects. This individual will work collaboratively with other advancement professionals to support UT Knoxville's fundraising efforts in and around the Nashville/Middle Tennessee region, seeking to build and deepen relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations
Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Fundraising: Work directly with the Senior Director of Development to create a strategy and build a portfolio of major gift prospects. Includes identifying, cultivating, and donor prospects; writing and preparing proposals and gift agreements; negotiating gifts; and stewarding donors, with a responsibility of achieving annual goals.
Collaboration: Work with development officers in each college and unit to assist them in their fundraising efforts with Nashville area residents, specifically alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. Engage with UT Alumni Association volunteer leadership in the region; work with other UT System campuses on strategic priorities.
Advancement Administration: Partner with UTK and UTFI development officers and leadership, as well as assuming a leadership role on the regional giving team; demonstrate the high standards of performance, integrity, and professionalism required of an advancement professional including timely and accurate record keeping, communication, etc.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Director of Development position is required to have:
A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required due to travel responsibilities of the position. UTFI reserves the right to consider all appropriate circumstances. In general, any significant driving offense less than 12 months old will eliminate the application from consideration for the position.
Note - Candidates holding a graduate degree must have at least 3 years of experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before February 28, 2025 via our DASH application system. Applications must include a completed candidate profile, cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate.
When determining minimum qualifications, only information entered into the candidate profile can be considered. Please ensure your candidate profile is completed in its entirety as it relates to qualifying education/work experience.
Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org.
Target Start Date: May 2025
Benefits: Recognized as a Top Employer by Knoxville Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023, the Foundation's greatest asset is our team. Foundation employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:
The Foundation: The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves as the preferred channel for private contributions benefiting students and faculty within the UT System. With a vision of being one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, UTFI is committed to enhancing the educational landscape across the University of Tennessee campuses.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been advancing knowledge and enriching lives since its founding in 1794. Tennessee's flagship public research university, UT Knoxville is a diverse community whose shared commitment to discovery, creativity, and education combines with a tradition of service and engagement to carry the Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. UT's campus-home to more than 36,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff members-is part of the vibrant city of Knoxville, located on the Tennessee River with the Great Smoky Mountains nearby.
The UT System: The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Institute of Agriculture; and the Institute for Public Service.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Development, Regional Giving for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee region. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development for the Nashville region, the Director of Development is a front-line fundraiser responsible for securing significant philanthropic gifts to the university that impact UT Knoxville's students, faculty, colleges and campus to achieve its fullest potential.
The purpose of this position is to secure significant philanthropic funding by identifying, cultivating, soliciting, negotiating, and stewarding donors and prospects. This individual will work collaboratively with other advancement professionals to support UT Knoxville's fundraising efforts in and around the Nashville/Middle Tennessee region, seeking to build and deepen relationships with alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations
Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Fundraising: Work directly with the Senior Director of Development to create a strategy and build a portfolio of major gift prospects. Includes identifying, cultivating, and donor prospects; writing and preparing proposals and gift agreements; negotiating gifts; and stewarding donors, with a responsibility of achieving annual goals.
Collaboration: Work with development officers in each college and unit to assist them in their fundraising efforts with Nashville area residents, specifically alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. Engage with UT Alumni Association volunteer leadership in the region; work with other UT System campuses on strategic priorities.
Advancement Administration: Partner with UTK and UTFI development officers and leadership, as well as assuming a leadership role on the regional giving team; demonstrate the high standards of performance, integrity, and professionalism required of an advancement professional including timely and accurate record keeping, communication, etc.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Director of Development position is required to have:
- Bachelor's degree
- 5+ years of experience in development, sales, or related experience necessary
- Proven ability to cultivate relationships, secure transformative philanthropic support, and achieve ambitious fundraising goals
- Exceptional written and verbal communications skills, with a persuasive and strategic approach to donor engagement
- Willing and able to travel extensively and independently
- Willing and able to attend weekend and evening events
A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record is required due to travel responsibilities of the position. UTFI reserves the right to consider all appropriate circumstances. In general, any significant driving offense less than 12 months old will eliminate the application from consideration for the position.
Note - Candidates holding a graduate degree must have at least 3 years of experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
- Experience in Salesforce or equivalent fundraising/sales software
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before February 28, 2025 via our DASH application system. Applications must include a completed candidate profile, cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate.
When determining minimum qualifications, only information entered into the candidate profile can be considered. Please ensure your candidate profile is completed in its entirety as it relates to qualifying education/work experience.
Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org.
Target Start Date: May 2025
Benefits: Recognized as a Top Employer by Knoxville Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023, the Foundation's greatest asset is our team. Foundation employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:
- Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days
- Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members
- Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses
- Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
- Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods
The Foundation: The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves as the preferred channel for private contributions benefiting students and faculty within the UT System. With a vision of being one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, UTFI is committed to enhancing the educational landscape across the University of Tennessee campuses.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been advancing knowledge and enriching lives since its founding in 1794. Tennessee's flagship public research university, UT Knoxville is a diverse community whose shared commitment to discovery, creativity, and education combines with a tradition of service and engagement to carry the Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. UT's campus-home to more than 36,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff members-is part of the vibrant city of Knoxville, located on the Tennessee River with the Great Smoky Mountains nearby.
The UT System: The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Institute of Agriculture; and the Institute for Public Service.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.