Executive Director of Advancement, College of Education, Health & Human Sciences

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Executive Director of Advancement for the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (EHHS) on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the Executive Director of Advancement will be the college’s chief development officer and oversee all EHHS advancement strategy and activities, including fundraising, stewardship, alumni/donor events and the Dean’s Board of Advisors. 

The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences will play a significant role in UT Knoxville’s $3 billion capital campaign and will carry a campaign goal of $65 million. With 57,000+ living alumni, this 

dynamic college offers degrees in education, counseling, leadership, public health, nutrition, kinesiology, sport studies, and hospitality and tourism, among others. 

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Strategic Leadership: Strategic leadership of the college’s advancement efforts and will play the lead role in building and executing a strategic fundraising/advancement plan for the college. Part of the dean’s leadership team and will advise college partners on advancement-related issues. Lead the goal setting, planning and supervision of the Advancement team. Earning trust and building strong relationships with academic partners, donors and Advancement colleagues is a requirement. Ability to recruit, hire, and coach staff members will be key indicators of success as the selected candidate builds a highly effective Advancement team for the college. 

Fundraising: Manage a portfolio of 50+ key stakeholder relationships (both individuals and corporate) plus volunteer advocates. Given the number of alumni families that include at least one EHHS graduate as a key decision maker, the Executive Director must be proficient at generating principal and major gift strategies via collaborating with academic leaders, peer fundraising leaders in other colleges, the AVC and others to maximize opportunities. In addition to solo travel, the Executive Director will conduct high-level development visits with the dean and other academic leaders and create effective proposals for stakeholders.  

External Relations: Lead stewardship officer, responsible for both the short- and long-term stewardship strategy during the university’s comprehensive campaign. Oversee board relations for various college volunteer and advisory groups, including the key role of identifying future board contributors. Similarly, the Executive Director will be responsible for the delivery of advancement-related events to include both fundraising and alumni-focused gatherings that elevate the college’s profile (donor recognition events, meet the dean receptions, tailgates, etc.) 

Required Education and Experience 

The candidate who fills the Executive Director of Advancement position is required to have: 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 8+ years of higher education fundraising experience with a proven track record of closing major gifts and exceeding individual and team goals. 

• 2+ years of experience of direct management/leadership. 

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