Director of Advancement, College of Communication and Information (CCI)
Full-time
Knoxville, TN, USA
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Advancement for the College of Communication and Information (CCI) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Assistant Dean for External Relations and Senior Director of Advancement, the Director of Advancement is responsible for overseeing the strategic development and implementation of the major gift program for CCI, including the management of junior major gift fundraisers.
The purpose of this position is to serve as one of the senior advancement professionals within the College and secure philanthropic resources that will profoundly impact CCI's students and faculty and allow the College to reach its full potential. This role will build relationships across CCI by partnering with faculty and staff to engage alumni and friends of the College, meeting regularly with assigned school director(s) to understand the philanthropic needs of the school, and collaborating with advancement teams across campus to secure resources that further the mission of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The Director of Advancement is responsible for overseeing the strategic development and implementation of the major gift program for CCI, including the management of junior major gift fundraisers.
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Director of Advancement, CCI position is required to have:
Bachelor's degree.
5 or more years of experience in a position related to development, such as fundraising, sales, or marketing.
Experience with volunteer management to engage a diverse constituency.
Experience with budgets.
Experience with communication, marketing, or outreach.
2 or more years of supervisory experience, including volunteers, interns, 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.
Preferred fields of study include communications, business, public relations, or political science.
6 or more years of experience in higher education advancement-related work.
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before October 6th, 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: Fall 2026
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 responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Responsible for securing philanthropic resources that will profoundly impact the college's students and faculty and allow them to reach its full potential. These efforts include identifying, cultivating, soliciting (major and annual gifts), and stewarding alumni and friends, regardless of gift size, for the College of Communication and Information.
Responsible for mentoring, coaching, and leading assigned major gift fundraisers. This will involve regularly meeting with team members to provide guidance on meeting and exceeding their metrics, advancing philanthropic discussions with alumni and friends, and more. The Director will be encouraged to assist team members with their professional development and growth at the University and within the advancement industry.
As the college's advancement efforts evolve, new initiatives may arise, offering additional leadership opportunities for the Director of Advancement.