Associate Director of Advancement, Student Life

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Associate Director of Advancement, Student Life for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Director of Development, the Associate Director of Advancement, Student Life is responsible for fundraising and performing donor engagement on behalf of the Office of Advancement and Division of Student Life in Knoxville, TN.  Under the direction of the Vice Chancellors from both divisions, the role will work with both UT Foundation and division staff, as well as internal and external stakeholders (university administrators, donors, alumni, etc.) to create and implement fundraising strategies for student life including annual giving, major gift fundraising, and planned giving strategy. 

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Annual Giving: Create and have oversight of the Division of Student Life’s annual giving program. Collaborate with the UTK Annual Giving team to carry out and develop annual giving strategies for student life. Collaborate with UTK Advancement team to integrate into existing annual giving programs such as Big Orange Give, Big Orange Family Campaign, Volstarter, etc. 

Major Gift Fundraising: Identify, research, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects for major gifts of $50,000+. Raise money for central campus priorities in Student Life and develop their prospect pool with input and guidance from their supervisor and the Assistant Vice Chancellor.  

Administrative Duties: Collaborate with other development officers across campus and campus leadership. The selected candidate will be a leader through his/her performance and professionalism.  

Required Education and Experience 

The candidate who fills the Associate Director of Advancement, Student Life position is required to have: 

• Bachelor’s Degree 

•  3+ years of experience in a position related to development such as: fundraising, sales, marketing, alumni engagement, student life or other non- profit experience 

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively and build relationships  

• Proven ability to prioritize and coordinate complex projects and to work in a fast-paced team environment and the expectation of travel to meet team and individual goals 

• Aggressive, sales mentality with a donor/customer-centered orientation 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 

• Willingness and ability for overnight travel 

• Ability to work weekends as needed 

• Ability to utilize database information to secure significant funding 

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 1 year of experience. 

Preferred Education and Experience 

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

• Master’s Degree 

• Experience with donor databases and higher education fundraising  

• Strong presentation skills, self-confidence and motivation 

• Attentiveness to detail 

• Sensitivity to the needs of diverse constituencies 

• Strong goal-oriented work ethic is preferred 

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before February 1, 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.  

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