Job Details

Senior Director of Development, Regional Giving (Georgia/Florida)

Position Number: 6449668
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Development and Fund Raising

Senior Director of Development, Regional Giving (Georgia/Florida)
FL, United States

Job Identification: 4148
Job Category: Advancement
Posting Date: 08/05/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (On-site)

Job Description
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Senior Director of Development, Regional Giving for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the Senior Director of Development is responsible for visiting prospects and donors within a defined territory comprising Georgia and Florida, delivering written gift proposals, and meeting annual goals for dollars raised. This role will work directly with development officers in of UT Knoxville's colleges and units, partnering with them to engage donors in Georgia and Florida.

Responsibilities
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Front-Line Fundraising & Engagement: Secure significant funding that can impact the students, faculty, college and campus to achieve its fullest potential. Lead major gift strategy for high-potential regions (Georgia/Florida), managing a portfolio of top-tier prospects with annual fundraising goals starting at $3M- $4M. Independently identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major and principal gift prospects through in-person visits, customized proposals, and strategic follow up. Engage and activate alumni and volunteer leaders, strengthening the UT presence and philanthropic relationships throughout the region.

Collaboration & Leadership: Serve as the central point of contact and primary advancement officer representing UT Knoxville in the Georgia/Florida region. Support campus development activity in the assigned geographic territory, interacting with all development officers, campus leadership and being an overall leader. Model a high standard of professionalism and performance, acting as a thought partner to the Assistance Vice Chancellor and contributing to overall campaign readiness and execution. Connect with the prospect development team to utilize data and prospect analytics to uncover untapped donor potential and prioritize engagement of new major gift prospects. Coordinate regional travel and strategy across UT advancement units to ensure donor engagement is maximized, and efforts are not duplicated.

Qualifications
Required Education and Experience

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

Bachelor's degree

7+ years of experience in marketing, communications, volunteer management, fundraising, budget preparation and analysis, or program advancement and implementation or related field

Strong customer service orientation; strong oral and written communications skills; donor-centered thinking

Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout the Georgia/Florida region, with occasional travel to Knoxville; including travel on nights and weekends

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.

Preferred Education and Experience

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

Master's degree with 5+ years of experience

Experience in higher education advancement and leadership roles

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before August 19, 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 the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org.

Target Start Date: Fall 2025

Benefits: The Foundation's greatest asset is our team. Foundation employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:

Generous paid leave, accruing up to 24 days of vacation and 12 days of sick leave annually, plus 14 paid holidays and administrative closing days

Flexible work arrangements, offering a hybrid schedule to most team members

Education benefits for employees and their dependents at UT System campuses

Retirement and deferred compensation plans, including 401(k), 403(b), etc.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans

Employee discounts to attractions, services, and goods

_________

The Foundation: The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves as the preferred channel for private contributions benefiting students and faculty within the UT System. With a vision of being one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, UTFI is committed to enhancing the educational landscape across the University of Tennessee campuses.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been advancing knowledge and enriching lives since its founding in 1794. Tennessee's flagship public research university, UT Knoxville is a diverse community whose shared commitment to discovery, creativity, and education combines with a tradition of service and engagement to carry the Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. UT's campus-home to more than 36,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff members-is part of the vibrant city of Knoxville, located on the Tennessee River with the Great Smoky Mountains nearby.

The UT System: The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Institute of Agriculture; and the Institute for Public Service.

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.

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