Director of Donor Relations
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
Director of Donor Relations
Job Description
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director Donor Relations for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Executive Director of Donor Experience, the Director of Donor Relations is responsible for leading donor- centered stewardship and recognition strategies.
This role will celebrate and support the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s donors and students, faculty, and staff who benefit from their generosity.
Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Annual Giving Stewardship: Establish and manage UTK’s inaugural leadership annual giving society in collaboration with Communications, Donor Experience (CDE), and Annual Giving (AG) teams, including member recognition, fulfillment, coding, and overall stewardship strategy. Lead stewardship planning and execution for Big Orange Give (BOG), UTK’s annual day of giving,
including day-of reporting, communications, videos, and year-round donor engagement.
Student Engagement and Donor Relations: Oversee stewardship calling programs utilizing Student Alumni Associates and the Engagement Center to thank donors. Serve as the primary liaison with Alumni Affairs and the Student & Young Alumni programs team for student-focused donor relations initiatives, including Big Orange Give, Grateful Vol Day, Big Orange Family, and other special stewardship initiatives as needed. Prepare and train students and scholarship recipients to effectively participate in advancement related events and initiatives as needed.
Campus- Wide Donor Relations Support: Support stewardship projects involving the Alumni Board of Directors and the Philanthropy and Stewardship Committee. Support strategic stewardship initiatives for select non-academic units under the direction of the Senior Director of Stewardship. Manage donor recognition signage projects in collaboration with the Executive Director, including
project oversight and maintenance of the donor signage database. Primary lead on Thankview platform including Big Orange Give, Big Orange Family, Grateful Vol Day, recurring birthday messaging, and special milestone videos. Monitor contact maintenance, provide training and support as needed for internal staff.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Director of Donor Relations position is required to have:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 5+ years of experience in a people- oriented, public relations, or development related field
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, detail oriented, ability to effectively engage and interact with donors and students
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:
- Master’s degree
- Stewardship or donor relations experience, communications experience and higher education experience
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before October 21st, 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: 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 5399
- Job Category Advancement
- Posting Date 10/08/2025, 01:55 AM
- 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.