Director Of Donor Relations
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, TN
Full-time
Education
Posted on May 1, 2024
Director of Donor Relations
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Donor Relations for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Communications & Donor Experience, the Director of Donor Experience is responsible for creating and implementing comprehensive engagement opportunities for UT’s philanthropic supporters and the students, faculty, and staff who benefit from their support.
As a member of the Office of Advancement’s Communications and Donor Experience team, the Director of Donor Experience will engage with internal colleagues, donors, alumni, current students, and university leaders to cultivate and strengthen relationships between donors and the university to ensure their ongoing engagement and support. This role will lead a donor-centered approach to engagement strategies, including events, specialized communication, video content, and student interactions aimed at meeting division-wide fundraising and alumni engagement goals. Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Campus-Wide Donor Relations:
- Collaborate cross-functionally with advancement, communications, and donor relations team members to develop and implement high-impact initiatives for individual donors and/or donor segments, including cards, videos, gifts, mailings, or other touchpoints.
- Lead the creation and execution of video stewardship (ThankView) campaigns, including obtaining video content, editing, and distribution.
- Track and review donor and student engagement data; assist team members with reporting needs.
- Collaborate with segments of Advancement team (Alumni Affairs, Annual Giving, Scholarships & Endowments, Marketing & Communications, and Donor Experience) on event or project needs involving students, i.e. stewardship calling parties, photoshoots, scholarship thank-you letters, and student impact stories.
- Serve as the lead partner for donor relations programs involving students, include Big Orange Give and initiatives utilizing Student Alumni Associates (SAA).
- Oversight of special events, donor luncheons, or experiential opportunities aimed at engaging donors with students, scholarship recipients, or key members of the university including planning, event logistics, staff management, and execution.
- Oversight of Accomplished Alumni and Spirit of a Volunteer awards programs aimed at donor cultivation and stewardship, including identification of recipients, event coordination, gift development, award presentation, and production of written story and promotion.
Qualifications :
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Director of Donor Experience position is required to have:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Five or more years of experience in 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.
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
- Master’s degree
- Stewardship or donor relations experience, video editing experience, communications experience and higher education experience preferred.
NOTE – 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.
Benefits: Recognized as a Top Employer by Knoxville Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023, 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.
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