Senior Director of Development, Haslam College of Business

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Senior Director of Development for the Haslam College of Business on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. Reporting to the Senior Executive Director of Advancement, the Senior Director of Development is responsible for serving as a major gift fund raising officer for the Haslam College of Business.  The purpose of this position is to implement the strategic direction set forth for the college.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

 

Securing Funding: Secure significant funding for the Haslam College of Business that will assure its capacity to provide a high quality and fiscally self-sustaining program. Identify, cultivate, strategize, solicit, negotiate, and steward donor prospects, with an annual responsibility of personally visiting a minimum of 100 prospects; delivering 20 written proposals; raising at least $4 million per year. 

 

Management/Administrative: Oversight and management of the College’s Assistant/Associate Director of Development position. Working with the Assistant/Associate Director to set and navigate fund raising and visit goals to ensure a steadily growing pipeline of annual donors to the Haslam College of Business.  

 

Stewardship: Assist and staff events that take place in the college including the yearly Alumni Awards Gala, stewardship football tailgates, Business and Basketball event, donor events in various cities and other events that take place during the year. Host donor stewardship lunches/meetings each year. 

 

Required Education and Experience 

The candidate who fills the Senior Director of Development position is required to have: 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 8+ years of experience in development, sales, or related work experience 

• 2+ years of supervisory experience 

• Aggressive sales mentality with ability to provide strategic leadership  

• Strong customer service orientation 

• Strong oral and written communication skills 

• Willingness to travel overnight 

• Team development and management skills needed 

 

A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is required due to the 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 6 years of experience. 

 

Preferred Education and Experience 

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

• Master’s degree 

• Demonstrated ability to secure major gifts from individuals and/or corporations/foundations 

• Demonstrated familiarity with higher education/non-profit fundraising 

• Experience in pipeline development and prospect identification 

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively  

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as situations require 

 

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before August 22, 2025 via our DASH application system. 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