The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Development, Central Tennessee Region for the University of Tennessee Institute for Agriculture (UTIA). Reporting to the UTIA Assistant Vice Chancellor for Development, the Director of Development, Central Tennessee Region serves as a major gift officer for the Central/Middle Tennessee region.

The purpose of this position is to secure transformative philanthropic gifts that will assure UTIA’s capacity to provide a high-quality and fiscally self-sustaining program to the people of Tennessee. As a major gift officer, the individual in this position will play a critical role on the UTIA development team. This individual will work with collaboratively with other advancement professionals to support UTIA fundraising efforts in and around the Central/Middle Tennessee region, seeking to build and deepen relationships with UT alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. Other responsibilities include engaging with volunteer leadership and working with other UT System campuses.

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Fundraising: Includes identifying, cultivating, and donor prospects; writing and preparing proposals and gift agreements; negotiating gifts; and stewarding donors, with a responsibility of achieving annual goals set in coordination with the UTIA Vice Chancellor for Advancement
Advancement Administration: Includes partnering with UTIA and UTFI development officers and leadership, as well as assuming a leadership role; demonstrating the high standards of performance, integrity, and professionalism required of an advancement professional


Required Education and Experience:

The candidate who fills the Director of Development, Central Tennessee Region position is required to have:

Bachelor’s degree
5 or more years of development, sales, or related experience; experience managing staff
Aggressive marketing mentality with the ability to provide strategic leadership
Strong customer service orientation and customer-centered thinking
Strong oral and written communications skills
Ability to work independently with little direct supervision; willingness to travel overnight
Preferred Education and Experience:

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

Masters degree
Experience with land grant universities, higher education philanthropy, and/or agricultural research
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before March 22, 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.

NOTE – 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 [email protected].

Target Start Date: May 1, 2024

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
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 Institute of Agriculture is dedicated to providing “Real. Life. Solutions.” to society’s most pressing issues. Through its extensive presence across the state and global outreach efforts, UTIA’s work has a profound impact on agriculture, research, veterinary medicine, Extension, and more, ultimately contributing to economic growth, biodiversity and human and animal health.

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.