Associate Director of Fund Administration

University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. invites applications for the Associate Director of Fund Administration at UT Knoxville. The role oversees campus partner coordination, fund information stewardship, and endowment payout reconciliation across UTFI’s endowed and non-endowed funds.

Responsibilities include managing partner communications, supervising coordinators and student staff, and driving automation in fund reporting. Travel and driving responsibilities are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 4+ years of progressive experience in endowment administration, fund accounting, advancement services, or a closely related finance function.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience to include interns, students, and volunteers.
• A valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record is required due to travel responsibilities.
• Candidates holding a graduate degree must have at least 2 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Owns campus partner relationships with college/unit budget directors, development officers, and campus partners on fund balances and expenditures.
• Supervises fund administration coordinators, interns, and student staff and supports onboarding and training.
• Leads the compilation and integrity of fund data, including balances, spending activity, and utilization trends.
• Reconciles endowment payouts and distributions against donor-restricted purposes and oversees audit/compliance reporting.
• Identifies and implements automation and standardization improvements in reporting and workflows.

Skills

Leadership

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Job Description

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Associate Director of Fund Administration at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Executive Director of Fund Administration, the Associate Director of Fund Administration is responsible for campus partner coordination and fund information stewardship across the University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. (UTFI) portfolio of endowed and non-endowed philanthropic funds.

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Campus Partner Relationship Ownership & Team Supervision: Owns the primary relationship with college and unit budget directors, development officers, and campus partners on fund balances, expenditures, utilization, and reinvestment questions, exercising independent judgment to resolve routine and moderately complex issues and escalating only relationship-sensitive matters to the Executive Director. Sets and monitors service standards for recurring and ad hoc partner communications and leads a responsive, service-oriented culture across the team's campus interactions. Supervises fund administration coordinators, interns, and student staff, assigning and reviewing their work on partner communications and fund data upkeep, and supports their onboarding and training.

Fund Information, Payout Analysis, and Reconciliation Leadership: Leads the compilation and integrity of fund data—balances, spending activity, and utilization trends—independently producing and interpreting reports for campus partners that flag underutilized, aged, or expiring funds, and recommending corrective action. Owns reinvestment tracking and expenditure monitoring across the portfolio, reconciling reported figures against systems of record. Independently calculates and reconciles endowment payouts and distributions against donor-restricted purposes and serves as the team's lead reviewer for stewardship, audit, and compliance reporting.

Process Improvement and Documentation Leadership: Identifies and implements automation and standardization improvements across fund reporting and partner coordination workflows, with authority to pilot and roll out new procedures. Develops and maintains procedural documentation, reporting templates, and onboarding materials, and leads onboarding and training for new coordinators and student staff. Serves as a key contributor to department and Advancement-wide initiatives related to donor experience and fund administration.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• 4+ years of progressive experience in endowment administration, fund accounting, advancement services, or a closely related finance function
• 2+ years of supervisory experience to include interns, students, and volunteers

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

• Master’s degree
• 5+ years of experience including direct endowment/payout administration in a university foundation or institutionally related foundation
• Leadership or supervisory experience to include completing a performance review/coaching
• Experience owning external partner relationships with limited oversight
• Experience leading process improvement or automation initiatives from design through rollout

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.