Director of Stewardship, Signature Events and Donor Experience

Reporting to the Executive Associate Athletics Director of Development for Major Gifts, the Director of Stewardship, Signature Events and Donor Experience is responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of all signature events, as well as the creation and implementation of a comprehensive stewardship program for our annual giving and major giving programs. Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Stewardship & Donor Recognition: Oversee a comprehensive stewardship program for the Tennessee Fund donor base to include annual fund stewardship (annual, gift-in-kind, sport specific), planned giving, and endowment stewardship. Administer the stewardship reporting process, ensuring the production of meaningful donor impact deliverables. Collaborate with campus stewardship units to implement best-practices. Partner with compliance, individual sports teams, and campus partners to facilitate the endowment and scholarship matching process. Implement a high-level gift acknowledgement process, with a focus on donor retention and the recognition of donor longevity.

Event Management: Plan and produce a high-level donor events calendar, with a strong focus on quarterly engagement. Provide consistent and regular evaluation of events to ensure the event achieved goals; make necessary recommendations to support event goals in the future. Coordinate and liaise with the campus signature events team on any relevant event overlap.

Leadership: Lead and manage the Donor Experience team, including one full time staff member, one development assistant, and student workers.

Required Education and Experience 

The candidate who fills the Director of Stewardship, Signature Events and Donor Experience position is required to have: 

• Bachelor’s Degree 

• 5+ years of experience in conducting public speaking, public relations, event planning, stakeholder management, donor stewardship/engagement, and/or other closely relatable experience 

• Must be able to work night and weekends  

• Ability to travel to events 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 

• Excellent time management skills  

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 3 years of experience. 

Preferred Education and Experience 

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

• Master’s Degree 

• NCAA Division I athletics development/fundraising experience 

• Direct experience managing donor relations, events, and/or donor stewardship 

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before December 1, 2024 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.  

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

Target Start Date: January 2025 
 

Benefits: Recognized as a Top Employer by Knoxville Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023, 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 

• 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 

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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.