Associate Director of Development
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
Associate Director of Development
Job Description
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Associate Director of Development for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Executive Director of Development, the Associate Director of Development is responsible for soliciting major gifts from alumni and friends of the Tickle College of Engineering while establishing and maintaining effective relationships with major internal and external constituents.
The purpose of this position is to secure philanthropic gifts that impact the strategic direction set forth for the college by academic leadership in collaboration with the office of advancement.
Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Fundraising: Manage a portfolio of 100-120 prospective donors through an active schedule of assessment, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. Build relationships with prospective donors, alumni, and volunteers that result in major gift commitments to funding priorities of the Tickle College of Engineering and the Office of Advancement. Maintain up-to-date information on donors and prospects, including submitting timely contact reports, within UTFI’s CRM system. Act and advocacy in support of unit goals and initiatives and be an active participant on the TCE Advancement team. Availability to travel consecutive overnights to meet donors in various regions of the country. Responsible for closing major gifts ($50K and above) as well as significant work on annual gifts and planned gifts for the benefit of the University & the College.
Internal Collaboration: Develop collegial relationships with TCE administrators and staff to become knowledgeable about their fundraising priorities and to potentially identify prospective donors. Works with Advancement colleagues to ensure that existing and prospective donors are properly qualified, cultivated, solicited, and stewarded.
Communication: Produce appropriate fundraising materials including, but not limited to, case statements, priority menus, solicitation letters, gift proposals, pledge forms and gift agreements, appreciation letters, donor reports, and campaign status reports. Communicates in ways that are donor-centric while furthering the mission of the University of Tennessee.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Associate Director of Development position is required to have:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 4+ years of experience in higher education, advancement, non- profit fundraising, business development, marketing or sales are required
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 2 years of experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
- Master’s degree
- Higher Ed advancement, sales, or related experience developing relationships with external constituents, explaining “the why,” which resulted in increased engagement and investment
- Demonstrated ability to secure gifts or grants from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other private funding sources
- Certified Fundraising Executive Certification
- Experience in managing volunteers/ stakeholders and pipeline development
- Exceptional writing, listening, and interpersonal skills with ability to interact effectively with academic leadership, faculty, colleagues, and prospective donors in a wide range of settings
- Robust customer service skills and organizational skills
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before October 27 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: December 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
_________
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 5355
- Job Category Advancement
- Posting Date 10/02/2025, 09:24 PM
- Job Schedule Full time
- Locations 1525 University Ave, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US
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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