Assistant Athletics Director of Stewardship, Signature Events and Donor Experience

 

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Assistant Athletics Director of Stewardship, Signature Events and Donor Experience for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Executive Associate Athletic Director of Development, Major Gifts, the Assistant Athletics Director of Stewardship, Signature Events and Donor Experience is responsible for overseeing and managing our donor experience team, which includes full-time staff, one development assistant and student workers.  This role will oversee the planning and execution of all Signature Events, as well as the creation and implementation of a comprehensive stewardship program for our annual giving and major giving programs

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Stewardship: Oversee a comprehensive stewardship program for the Tennessee Fund donor base to include annual fund stewardship (annual, gift-in-kind, sport specific), planned giving, and endowment stewardship. Collaborate with the Senior Associate Athletics Director on our leadership level philanthropic giving society stewardship.   

Leadership & Event Management: Plan and produce a high-level donor events calendar, with a strong focus on quarterly engagement. Provide consistent and regular evaluation of events to ensure the event achieved goals; make necessary recommendations to support event goals in the future. Coordinate and liaise with the campus signature events leadership on any relevant event overlap. Lead and manage the Donor Experience team, including one full time staff member, one development assistant, and student workers. 

Gift Acknowledgment & Stewardship/ Donor Impact Reports: Oversee production of high-level stewardship reports highlighting donor impact in major giving and planned giving. Working directly with our campus stewardship units as the principle contact to implement best practices throughout the country. Working directly with compliance, individual sports team, and campus partners to help facilitate the endowment and scholarship matching process. In coordination with the annual fund team, assist in implementing a high-level gift acknowledgment process, with a focus on donor retention and the recognition of donor longevity. This includes liaising with relevant campus donor experience departments. 

Required Education and Experience 

The candidate who fills the Assistant Athletics Director of Stewardship, Signature Events and Donor Experience position is required to have: 

• Bachelor’s Degree 

• 7+ years of experience in fundraising or sales 

• Must be able to work nights and weekends  

• Ability to travel to events 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 

• Excellent time management 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 5 years of experience. 

Preferred Education and Experience 

In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have: 

• Master’s Degree 

• NCAA Division I athletics development/fundraising experience 

• Direct experience managing donor relations, events, and/or donor stewardship 

 

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before February 25, 2025 via our Taleo 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