Senior Director of Advancement, Baker School
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
Senior Director of Advancement, Baker School
Job Description
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Senior Director of Advancement for the Baker School for Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement and working closely with the Dean of the Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, the Senior Director will lead the school’s fundraising and external relations initiatives.
Serving as a senior advisor to the Dean, the Senior Director will cultivate strong relationships across Baker, partnering with faculty and staff to engage alumni and friends, meeting regularly with academic leaders to assess philanthropic priorities, and collaborating with advancement colleagues across campus to secure resources that advance the university’s mission.
The Senior Director will supervise and mentor the Assistant Director of Annual Giving while also managing a portfolio of high-capacity current and prospective donors, securing gifts of $50,000 or more. Building on Baker’s current momentum, this leader will be positioned and expected to generate significant philanthropic support to propel the School’s growth and impact.
In addition, the Senior Director will work closely with central advancement units, including Annual Giving, Corporate Philanthropy, Regional Development, and Gift Planning, to maximize resources across UTK and the University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. The Senior Director will serve on both the Dean’s executive team and the Associate Vice Chancellor’s leadership team and will support the Dean in managing the Dean’s Advisory Board, including member selection, agenda setting, and meeting coordination.
Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Major Gift and Annual Giving Fundraising: Identify, solicit and steward alumni and friends to secure substantial philanthropic resources that will profoundly benefit Baker students and faculty, enabling the unit to reach its full potential.
Administrative and Management: Serve as a senior advisor to the Dean on fundraising, alumni, and external relations issues, managing the Dean’s travel for fundraising and alumni engagement, interacting with Baker School leadership, campus leadership, and representing the UT Foundation within the Baker School and to alumni and friends.
Board Management, Events, and Stewardship: Collaborate with the Dean of the Baker School to create, develop and oversee boards that support the unit’s mission. Manage relationships with current and prospective donors. Work with the Communications and Donor Experience team to coordinate stewardship efforts for the School.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Senior Director of Advancement position is required to have:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 8+ years of experience in a development, sales, or related role
- 2+ years of full- time employee management experience
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 6 years of experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
- Master’s degree
- Higher education advancement work or similar experience
- Experience working in political or government organizations
- Experience managing a board, coordinating events, and/or donor stewardship would be preferred
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before September 5, 2025 via our DASH application system. Applications must include a completed candidate profile, cover letter, and resume. Candidates selected to move forward in the evaluation process will be asked to provide 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.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.
Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org.
Target Start Date: Fall 2025
Benefits: 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
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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.
Job Info
- Job Identification 4748
- Job Category Advancement
- Posting Date 08/22/2025, 01:42 PM
- Job Schedule Full time
- Locations 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (On-site)
EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.
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