Director of Pipeline Optimization
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
Director of Pipeline Optimization
Job Description
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Pipeline Optimization. Reporting to the Executive Director of Prospect Intelligence and Pipeline Optimization the Director of Pipeline Optimization is responsible for leading the enterprise- wide strategy to build and maintain a dynamic, date- driven pipeline of major giving prospects.
This role will supervise a Pipeline Optimization Analyst and collaborate across teams to apply predictive modeling, optimize portfolios, and forecast philanthropic production at all levels (enterprise-wide, campus/institute, and unit-level).
Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Pipeline and Portfolio Optimization: Collaborate with fellow Prospect Development leaders to inform the refinement of workflows and business processes that will effectively maintain and monitor the University of Tennessee system-wide portfolio while further segmenting the System-wide portfolio into institutional portfolios, institute portfolios, unit-based portfolios, individual Development Officer portfolios, and prospect pools—all with a goal of ensuring dynamic and optimized prospect assignments across the pipeline. Partner with Central Services colleagues to ensure predictive modeling capabilities are dynamic, accurate, user-friendly, and in line with current professional standards across the field.
Data Integrity and Process Improvement: Provide proactive leadership to ensure an ongoing collaborative and solutions-focused approach is provided to identify and improve data integrity standards, inputs, and outputs across the Prospect Development function
Forecasting Philanthropic Production: Forecast and report on philanthropic production on a regular schedule to support the decision-making of executive leadership across UTFI, especially as it pertains to projection of goal obtainment and the setting goals in a data-grounded manner.
Leadership and Supervision: Oversees team communication, goal setting, and performance management through strategic planning, budgeting, and objective evaluations. Leads and mentors by providing training, resources, and ongoing coaching to foster professional growth and high performance. Promotes a respectful, collegial workplace culture while ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational policies.
Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Director of Pipeline Optimization position is required to have:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 5+ years of experience in roles that require translating data and analysis to generate actionable strategy and solutions that drive business outcomes
- An entrepreneurial mindset with strong strategic planning capabilities and business intelligence acumen
- Experience working within a decentralized work environment, in a collaborative service role leading complex projects
- A broad understanding of diverse prospect bases spanning the full scope of UTFI’s enterprise, i.e. business, engineering, arts & sciences, agriculture, athletics, grateful patients, and friends of the institution
- Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills
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
- Philanthropic experience, including fundraising, prospect development, prospect management, portfolio development and the use of analytic tools
- Experience utilizing CRMs; Salesforce preferred
- Change management experience
- Experience developing and leading trainings, and/or experience teaching or advising professional staff
Application Process: 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: January 1, 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 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 5500
- Job Category Advancement
- Posting Date 16/10/2025, 21:04
- 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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