Executive Director, Development

University of Arkansas at Little Rock; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is seeking an Executive Director of Development for Planned Giving and Compliance. This role involves leading fundraising initiatives focused on major gifts, cultivating donor relationships, and supporting the institution's mission. Candidates should possess strong communication and leadership skills, along with a Juris Doctor degree and extensive fundraising experience.

Benefits

Health: Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Leave

Education discount for staff and dependents

Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution

Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000

Career Training and Educational Opportunities

Merchant Discounts

Concierge prescription delivery

Qualifications

• 7 years of fundraising or related experience.
• Experience in closing major gifts ($25,000 and above).
• Knowledge of planned giving strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead planned giving and compliance function.
• Build and manage a portfolio of prospects for major gifts.
• Travel to meet with alumni and supporters.

Skills

Fundraising

Relationship Building

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or related field

Juris Doctor degree

Master’s degree or CFRE (Preferred)

Tools

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems

Job description

Current University of Arkansas System employees, including student employees and graduate assistants, need to log in to Workday via MyApps.Microsoft.com , then access Find Jobs from the Workday search bar to view and apply for open positions. Students at University of Arkansas System two-year institutions will also view open positions and apply within Workday by searching for “Find Jobs for Students”.

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Closing Date:

06/27/2025
Type of Position: Management - Operations
Job Type: Regular
Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No
Institution Name: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has a unique combination of education, research, and clinical programs that encourages and supports teamwork and diversity. We champion being a collaborative health care organization, focused on improving patient care and the lives of Arkansans.

UAMS offers amazing benefits and perks (available for benefits eligible positions only):

• Health: Medical, Dental and Vision plans available for qualifying staff and family
• Holiday, Vacation and Sick Leave
• Education discount for staff and dependents (undergraduate only)
• Retirement: Up to 10% matched contribution from UAMS
• Basic Life Insurance up to $50,000
• Career Training and Educational Opportunities
• Merchant Discounts
• Concierge prescription delivery on the main campus when using UAMS pharmacy

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the Apply link/button.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] .

Department: IA | Development

Department's Website:

uams.edu/development
Summary of Job Duties: The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Division of Institutional Advancement strives to be the exemplary fundraising organization within the state of Arkansas. The primary mission of Institutional Advancement is to secure gifts and grants that support the threefold mission of UAMS – education, patient care and research.

Institutional Advancement is seeking an Executive Director of Development for Planned Giving and Compliance. The objective of this role is to lead the planned giving and compliance function of Institutional Advancement in consultation with the Executive Director. The ideal candidate will have a Juris Doctor degree and experience in personally closing major-level gifts ($25,000 and above), including planned gifts (estates, trusts, etc.).

The Executive Director of Development may have an assigned unit/division to liaise with on behalf of the development team, such as a college, school, or institute within the university, including the medical center. This position helps connect individuals back to the institution in a way that is mutually meaningful and aligned with the UAMS mission. The ideal candidate must possess an entrepreneurial spirit and the innate ability to get things done. The executive director serves on a team that is integral to the success of UAMS’ Vision 2029 strategic plan, underpinned by a master facilities plan and a comprehensive campaign to secure resources for success.

The Executive Director of Development will travel and meet in-person with alumni and supporters of UAMS. Travel can be up to 50% of the time and includes nights/weekends throughout the year. Remote work within an appropriate home office setting is required and the setup of which is the responsibility of the employee.
Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public works, public administration, business, philanthropy, political science, marketing, or related field plus seven (7) years of fundraising or related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

The senior director must be a self-starter, adept with technology, and proficient in building long-term relationships and closing investments within a reasonable timeframe for the institution. This individual is highly professional and serves as an exemplary colleague, representative, and community member. Experience in comprehensive higher education campaigns is preferred. The successful candidate will show demonstrated success in closing major gifts.

Desired traits of a successful director of development include:

• Exemplary interpersonal skills, intellect, and curiosity.
• The ability to favorably engage sophisticated volunteers and donors with behavioral and linguistic flexibility.
• Communication that is thorough, logical, factual, and precise in both oral and written presentation.
• The ability to distill information and curate meaningful strategies that leverage philanthropy and link sometimes disparate ideas toward progressing the UAMS mission and donor interests and goals.
• Natural leadership and discernment skills that allow for substantial autonomy with exceptional results while also setting a healthy pace and serving as a model and mentor for colleagues throughout the team.
• Closing major-level gifts ($25,000 and above)
• Experience in an educational, research, or health care setting.
• Raising major and mid-level gifts in an educational, research, or health care setting.
• Strategies and methods for planned giving (estates, trusts, etc.) and compliance.
• Utilizing customer relationship management (CRM) systems, including Ellucian Advance or Salesforce.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in communications, public relations, public works, public administration, business, philanthropy, political science, marketing, or related field or Juris Doctor.
• Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)

Additional Information:

Key Responsibilities:

Fundraising

• Build and manage a portfolio of prospects and donors from whom to solicit major and/or planned gifts of $25,000 and above, with special emphasis on gifts at levels of $100,000 and above.
• In consultation with the Executive Director, lead the planned giving function of the Institutional Advancement team.
• Collaborate with other gift officers to develop robust planned giving strategies for major and principal gift prospects.
• Cultivate both engaged and non-engaged prospects, including making cold calls and visits to expand our constituent outreach efforts.
• Eagerly utilize prospect identification and research tools and software to build a robust and diversified portfolio of prospects and donors with affinities across the institution.
• Exceed annual metrics, including those tracking significant interaction activity, initial visits, proposals, and dollars raised.
• Foster a professional, positive, ethical, supportive, fast-paced, innovative, motivational, and fun culture.
• In consultation with the Executive Director, lead the planned giving function of the Institutional Advancement team.
• Meet with internal colleagues, including clinicians and faculty members, to determine priorities and align donor interests with departmental and divisional priorities.
• Possess a willingness to travel frequently around the state and country to meet with potential and current donors.
• Seek natural partners’ guidance and advice in developing principal donor strategies, including affinity, rating, timing, and relationships.
• Serve as a positive link from UAMS to the community by participating in professional and personal external activities and opportunities.
• Successfully engage with donors within a best-practice, donor-centered major gifts methodology.
• Utilize both current and planned giving methods to best meet donors’ needs, interests, and financial capabilities.

Administrative and Compliance

• Develop internal compliance processes to improve Institutional Advancement efficiencies.
• Manage gift agreement workflow and liaise with internal partners as needed.
• Serve as liaison to the Foundation Administration team.
• Follow processes and procedures for updating donor records in the CRM system of record.
• Input contact reports and other information in the system in a timely manner and follow protocols to ensure the integrity of donor records and to record relevant historical information.
• Learns and practices HIPAA and FERPA laws and is knowledgeable of updates and changes to each throughout employment; also understands the Donor Bill of Rights and respects the agreement between donors and the institution accordingly.

Customer Service

• Interacts with and assists the public in a professional and friendly manner as needed.
• Demonstrates effective communication skills.
• Communicates accurate and complete information.
• Maintains strict confidentiality when necessary.
• Demonstrates positive working relationships with co-workers, management team, and ancillary departments.
• Follows the Core Concepts of Patient and Family Centered Care and the Basic Code of Conduct Guidelines.
• Assist internal and external stakeholders as needed with exceptional customer service.

May perform other duties as assigned

Salary Information:

Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:

Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status
Special Instructions to Applicants:

Recruitment Contact Information:

Please contact [e-mail] for any recruiting relatedquestions.

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Sitehttps://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Pre-employment Screening Requirements: Criminal Background Check

This position is subject to pre-employment screening (criminal background, drug testing, and/or education verification). A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant except as provided by law. Any criminal history will be evaluated in relationship to job responsibilities and business necessity. The information obtained in these reports will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Constant Physical Activity: Hearing, Talking
Frequent Physical Activity: Driving, Feeling, Grasping, Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding, Sitting, Standing, Walking
Occasional Physical Activity: Crawling, Crouching, Kneeling, Reaching, Stooping
Benefits Eligible: Yes