Assistant Athletic Director - Advancement

Reporting to the Associate Athletics Director, the Assistant Athletic Director is responsible for supporting growth in the Mocs Club, the annual giving arm of athletics development for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and providing leadership for philanthropic activity that funnels into annual giving to UTC Athletics. 

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

Front-Line Fundraising: Lead and oversee the operations of the athletics annual fund through communication and collaboration with Associate AD for Advancement, including identifying, cultivating, soliciting and stewarding donors at all giving levels through in-person visits, phone calls, digital communications and direct mail solicitations. Organize the structure of the athletics annual fund on a 12- and 24-month basis, including planning the ‘Mocs Take Flight’ annual giving program.  

Annual Giving: Develop pipeline of prospective leadership-level supporters to support capital giving projects through donor identification/cultivation and appropriate stewardship of those donors. Lead affinity group annual giving for UTC Athletics, including student-athlete alumni engagement through the C Club, Greek Challenge, and sport specific giving. 

Administration: Serve as developmental liaison to select sport programs; serve on campus development committees; assist with donor hospitality events and activities; and participate in university, UC Foundation, and Athletic department events, activities, and initiatives.  

Ticket-Office Liaison: Assist in fostering effective collaboration with the ticket office and contribute to the planning, development, and execution of comprehensive sales strategies aimed at maximizing ticket sales. 

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience 

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

• Bachelor’s degree 

• 4+ years in a position related to development such as fundraising, sales, marketing, or financial planning with experience in an intercollegiate athletics environment 

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 2 years of experience. 

Preferred Education and Experience 

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

• 2 years of intercollegiate athletics fundraising experience 

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before June 16, 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: August 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 at Chattanooga is a national model for metropolitan universities. In collaboration with our many regional partners, we offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs. UTC is the campus of choice for over 11,350 students. Our four colleges offer over 55 bachelor's programs with 128 program concentrations. Our graduate school offers over 50 master's programs with 45 program concentrations and five doctoral degrees with six program concentrations. UTC educates our students for success in a global society at a reasonable rate. 

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.