Associate Director of Advancement Operations and Donor Experience

University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid leave

Hybrid schedule

Education benefits

Retirement plans

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Job summary

University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. seeks an Associate Director of Advancement Operations and Donor Experience to drive donor engagement, events, and strategic projects in a collaborative environment.

Based in Knoxville with a hybrid schedule, this role coordinates with development officers, the Dean’s Office, and campus partners to deliver superior donor experiences and operational excellence. Fall 2026 start date preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 4+ years in advancement, events, donor relations, or related fields.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Experience planning high-level donor events for donors, alumni, and volunteers.
• Experience collaborating across departments and liaising with marketing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordinator for donor cultivation, stewardship, and recognition events.
• Coordinate operational initiatives, processes, and strategic projects.
• Serve as liaison with communications/marketing to support donor engagement and fundraising.
• Develop timelines, manage logistics for events including venues and travel.
• Support fundraising priorities with thoughtful donor experiences.

Skills

Event management

Donor relations

Communications

Project management

Higher education administration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Associate Director of Advancement Operations and Donor Experience

Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement Operations and Donor Experience, the Associate Director of Advancement Operations and Donor Experience is responsible for supporting the college's fundraising and engagement efforts through the coordination of donor events, advancement communications, operational initiatives, and strategic projects.

This role will serve as the primary coordinator for donor engagement experiences involving the Dean and advancement staff, working collaboratively with development officers, the Dean's Office, the college communications team, and campus partners to execute meaningful cultivation and stewardship opportunities.

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Event Management and Donor Engagement

Serves as lead coordinator for donor cultivation, stewardship, and recognition events, including at least one local/regional donor event per semester, receptions, scholarship celebrations, and the annual TCE Scholarship celebration. Collaborates with development officers, college leadership, communications staff, and campus partners to manage all event logistics, from venue and catering to registration, travel, materials, and day-of execution. Develops project timelines and evaluates outcomes to ensure an exceptional donor experience that advances the college's fundraising priorities.

Advancement Operations and Strategic Projects

Provides operational and project management support to the Senior Director of Advancement Operations and Donor Experience, coordinating strategic initiatives, process improvements, and priority projects. Assists with stewardship initiatives, donor engagement strategies, advancement reporting, fund/data projects, and the development of operational procedures across development officers, advancement leadership, the UT Foundation, and campus partners. Helps identify opportunities to boost efficiency, enhance donor experiences, and support strategic planning across the advancement of enterprise.

Communications and Marketing Coordination

Acts as the primary liaison between TCE Advancement and the college's communications/marketing team to support donor engagement and fundraising initiatives. Coordinates marketing requests, project timelines, and donor-facing communications such as invitations, event collateral, presentations, and digital/promotional materials. Partners with communications staff to surface storytelling opportunities around donor impact and student success while keeping messaging aligned with institutional branding.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• 4+ years of progressively responsible experience in advancement, event management, donor relations, communications, project management, higher education administration, or a related field
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and execute projects independently.
• Experience planning and coordinating high-level events for donors, alumni, and volunteers.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, relationship-building abilities, and a commitment to providing an exceptional donor experience.
• Experience collaborating across departments, serving as a liaison with communications and marketing teams, and managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders
• Proven ability to use Microsoft Office Suite
• Flexibility to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends in support of donor engagement activities and special events.

A valid driver’s licence 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

• Master’s degree
• Experience with donor databases, CRM systems, event management platforms, and higher education advancement operations
• Proven experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously, with a focus on meeting deadlines and achieving objectives within a fundraising or donor relations context.
• Previous work experience in higher education, particularly within a university advancement or development office.

Application Process

Priority will be given to applications received on or before August 20th 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 [e-mail].

Target Start Date: Fall 2026

Benefits

• 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.