Executive Director

This position has an expectation of being regularly present in our respective offices for team meetings, staff and leadership engagement, supervision, and collaboration, with some remote work possible.

While a typical M-F, 8 am 5 pm hours will be the norm, this role will require flexibility to accommodate evening and weekend work to engage with donors.

You can get further details about the nature of this opening, and what is expected from applicants, by reading the below.

Job Summary

The Senior Executive Director of Advancement (SEDOA), in concert with the Principal Director of Advancement (newly created role), manages the dual-reporting relationships for development directors in the colleges and areas across the University, collaborating closely with deans, directors, and key fundraising teams throughout the institution and in cooperation with University Advancement.

The position reports to the Chief Philanthropy Officer (CPO). The SEDOA develops and implements a strategic development plan for campus fundraising, expands the donor pool and pipeline, and works with the deans, directors, and University Advancement professionals to maximize the impact of philanthropy available to meet the college / area needs and the University mission.

Enhancing and supporting a collaborative culture of donor-centric philanthropy is key to this position, as is embracing University Advancement Core Values of belonging, collaboration, empowerment, and integrity.

Responsibilities

Following are the SEDOA’s leadership opportunities and expectations :

• Develop and implement a strategic development plan to maximize campus fundraising achievement :
• Build a close relationship with deans / directors, the dual reports of the colleges / areas, University Advancement colleagues and the CPO, to jointly manage the work of the advancement / development directors, including collaboratively developing their strategic fundraising plans, establishing annual fundraising goals and performance metrics, determining professional development needs, establishing fundraising budgets, mentoring staff, and evaluating performance.
• Work closely with deans and directors by providing professional fundraising guidance to assist in identifying fundraising opportunities in alignment with strategic institutional priorities.
• Ensure the colleges / areas provide appropriate acknowledgment to donors, including annual endowment reports, coordinating with University Advancement’s Donor Relations program as well as comply with donor intent in expending gift and endowment funds.
• Promote One U collaboration among colleges and areas, across campus, and in concert with University Advancement.
• Coordinate the work of the development directors with the Principal Gifts, Corporations & Foundations, Legacy Giving, Student Success Advancement, Prospect Development, and Annual Giving teams in University Advancement.
• Advise on strategies for increasing the organization of and penetration into the prospect pool to enhance the major gift pipeline.
• Work with the dual-report teams to enhance fundraising potential across the institution :
• Jointly with the deans or directors, recruit, hire, and support the development professional for each college / area.
• Serve as a resource to deans, directors, and advancement staff to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their fundraising.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate the performance of development staff, with an emphasis on action-oriented performance metrics as well as best practices in major gift fundraising.
• Actively manage an appropriately sized portfolio of major and principal gift prospects and donors, leading by example.
• Develop a training program for frontline fundraising in the areas and within the University Advancement, and oversee the onboarding and training of, as well as serve as a mentor to frontline fundraisers.
• Develop career paths within and across development job grades for the University and assist areas and colleges with implementation, appropriately rewarding strong performance for goal attainment, and retaining and promoting excellent frontline fundraisers.
• Manage an internal operating budget and assist fundraisers in developing their budgets.

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience);
• ten years of progressively more responsible experience in a higher education setting, or equivalency; demonstrated skills in leadership, management, financial planning, quality improvement, and service delivery within assigned area;

and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

Preferences :

With an increasingly diverse population of alumni and donors, we recognize that nationally the most successful advancement programs employ individuals who can connect with these diverse communities and understand approaches that mirror a broad perspective of cultures, values, and experiences.

We welcome applicants who bring additional dimensions of education, perspective, and experience to our team.

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of progressively responsible experience in major and principal gift fundraising and advancement.
• Personal success cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major and principal gift donors.
• Experience managing and training frontline fundraisers, as demonstrated by successfully advancing their careers and providing the support necessary for them to be successful.
• Professional credibility, integrity, intellectual depth, maturity, wisdom, and collaborative skills to garner the trust and confidence of the deans and directors as well as advancement staff and donors.
• Demonstrated mastery of written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, as part of a team.
• Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking capabilities; ability to embrace challenges and thrive in a fast-paced team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, creatively, and inclusively with a variety of constituencies and diversity of ideas.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a complex environment.
• Deep understanding of and appreciation for the philanthropic process and individual giving behaviors combined with direct major gift solicitation experience.
• Professional advancement experience in an academic environment is preferred.
• Working knowledge of planned giving, financial and / or estate planning concepts is preferred.

Additional Information

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ( URS ). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work).

Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and / or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law.

Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status.

The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106.

The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment.

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