Executive Director of Portfolio Strategy & Solutions

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Executive Director of Portfolio Strategy & Solutions. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Prospect Development, the Executive Director of Portfolio Strategy & Solutions (EDPSS) is responsible for leading a team that catalyzes the production of the prospect development team via solution-focused advisory approach that is collaborative, professionalized, and strategic. As a key senior leader in UTFI’s Prospect Development vertical, the EDPSS oversees and manages all aspects of the Portfolio Strategy & Solutions unit. Core focus areas include oversight of (1) prospect management, (2) portfolio maintenance, including prospect assignments, and (3) strategic refinement of development metrics and dashboards—to allow for streamlined interpretation of development performance at the enterprise, institution, unit, and individual level. 

 

This position works closely with principal advancement leaders and campus leadership to ensure coordination, collaboration, and proactive management of the broader UT System philanthropic portfolio, while simultaneously defining the philanthropic portfolios for each institution and institute into actionable pipelines. The EDPSS holds responsibility for ongoing review and suggested evolution of prospect management policies and procedures—with a focus on ensuring clarity, consistency, and streamlined operations across all development units and campuses. This position regularly interacts with senior leadership and key stakeholders across the enterprise. 

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

 

Leadership & Supervision: Provides dynamic and analytical leadership to the Portfolio 

Strategy & Solutions team. Leads strategic planning, communication and execution of team goals, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and fiscal responsibility. Manages and mentors a high performing team by providing training, resources, and ongoing coaching, while fostering a culture of respect, growth, and innovation. Oversees performance evaluations, policy development and the integration of emerging tools like AI to enhance prospect intelligence and pipeline optimization. 

 

Portfolio Strategy: Collaborate with fellow Prospect Development senior leaders to define workflows, business processes, and key performance indicators (KPIs) that effectively maintain and monitor the University of Tennessee system-wide portfolio while further segmenting the System-wide portfolio into portfolios aligned with institutions, institutes, units, individual development officers, and prospect pools—all with a goal of ensuring dynamic and optimized prospect assignment across the pipeline. Partner with senior development leaders to define principal giving portfolios and align assignments with consideration of cross-institutional/unit philanthropic interests held by prospects to realize transformational philanthropic investments by taking a donor-centered approach. 

 

Portfolio Solutions: Provide proactive leadership to ensure an ongoing collaborative and solutions-focused approach is provided by all team members; this approach positions the team as professional advisors who are laser-focused on identifying and addressing barriers to development officer production. Maintain regular and proactive communication with key senior development leaders to ensure an accurate pulse is maintained on evolving needs; prioritize potential solutions according to business needs and address needs in an entrepreneurial manner.  

 

Prospect Management: Provide leadership in regular review and refinement of prospect management policies and procedures—always focusing on actively addressing potential barriers. Monitor overall integrity of performance metrics for Development Officers, and collaborate with 

prospect development peer leaders and Central Services colleagues to ensure respective dashboards and reports are accurate, clear, and accessible. Provide counsel to the AVP of Prospect Development regarding strategic planning and implementation of new objectives and goals that will continue to refine an always growing pipeline. 

 

Required Education and Experience 

The candidate who fills the Executive Director of Portfolio Strategy & Solutions position is required to have: 

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 8+ years of progressive experience in roles that r