Senior Director of Alumni and Annual Giving, UTIA
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
Senior Director of Alumni and Annual Giving, UTIA
Knoxville, TN, United States
Job Description The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of
Senior Director of Alumni and Annual Giving
for the University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the Senior Director of Alumni and Annual Giving is responsible for creating a long-term vision and strategy in building a sustainable and robust alumni and annual giving office.
This role will lead the creation and implementation of programs, projects, and events that strategically engage alumni and future alumni of the Herbert College of Agriculture and the College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as friends and donors of all units within the UT Institute of Agriculture and direct all annual giving activities for the institute.
Responsibilities Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Alumni Programs:
Collaborate with the UT Alumni Association and UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs to strengthen the graduate experience. Support the College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Council in fostering engagement among alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Explore ways to organize Herbert College of Agriculture alumni and deepen alumni‑student connections. Develop strategies that help UTIA academic departments manage their own alumni and friends activities. Lead alumni communications, including social media, e‑newsletters, and website content in partnership with Advancement and Marketing. Serve as liaison to the UTIA Retirees Association and identify the most effective avenues for engagement. Create programming that connects students with alumni and industry partners for networking, internships, and career opportunities.
Annual Giving:
Develop, implement, and lead a comprehensive annual giving program with tailored strategies for each of UTIA’s four primary units. Execute a multi‑channel solicitation plan using phone, email, mail, online outreach, and event‑based engagement. Partner with the UT Knoxville Office of Annual Giving on Big Orange Giving Day, the Family Campaign, and unit‑specific fundraising initiatives. Build relationships with alumni and friends, document meaningful interactions, and connect promising prospects with major gift officers to strengthen the donor pipeline.
Leadership:
Serve on the UTIA Office of Advancement Executive Leadership Team, contributing to the strategic direction of alumni and annual giving programs. Collaborate with advancement colleagues and institute‑wide partners to develop and sustain a cohesive engagement strategy. Work with advancement and college staff to ensure all alumni programs are delivered with high quality and a personalized approach. Position requires evening and weekend work, as well as overnight and independent off‑site travel as needed.
Qualifications Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Senior Director of Alumni and Annual Giving position is required to have:
7+ years of experience in alumni and annual giving in a higher education or non‑profit setting
2+ years of supervisory experience to include volunteers, interns and/or students
Alumni and/or volunteer management or related experience
Able to simultaneously juggle multiple high‑profile tasks
Self‑started with attention to detail who will thrive in a fast‑paced work environment
High level organizational skills
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 5 years of experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
Volunteer management experience in a university advancement office
Target Start Date:
July 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.
Job Info
Job Identification 7756
Job Category Advancement
Posting Date 04/15/2026, 04:40 PM
Job Schedule Full time
Locations Knoxville, TN, United States
EEO Statement 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.
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Job Description The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of
Senior Director of Alumni and Annual Giving
for the University of Tennessee, Institute of Agriculture. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the Senior Director of Alumni and Annual Giving is responsible for creating a long-term vision and strategy in building a sustainable and robust alumni and annual giving office.
This role will lead the creation and implementation of programs, projects, and events that strategically engage alumni and future alumni of the Herbert College of Agriculture and the College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as friends and donors of all units within the UT Institute of Agriculture and direct all annual giving activities for the institute.
Responsibilities Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Alumni Programs:
Collaborate with the UT Alumni Association and UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs to strengthen the graduate experience. Support the College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Council in fostering engagement among alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Explore ways to organize Herbert College of Agriculture alumni and deepen alumni‑student connections. Develop strategies that help UTIA academic departments manage their own alumni and friends activities. Lead alumni communications, including social media, e‑newsletters, and website content in partnership with Advancement and Marketing. Serve as liaison to the UTIA Retirees Association and identify the most effective avenues for engagement. Create programming that connects students with alumni and industry partners for networking, internships, and career opportunities.
Annual Giving:
Develop, implement, and lead a comprehensive annual giving program with tailored strategies for each of UTIA’s four primary units. Execute a multi‑channel solicitation plan using phone, email, mail, online outreach, and event‑based engagement. Partner with the UT Knoxville Office of Annual Giving on Big Orange Giving Day, the Family Campaign, and unit‑specific fundraising initiatives. Build relationships with alumni and friends, document meaningful interactions, and connect promising prospects with major gift officers to strengthen the donor pipeline.
Leadership:
Serve on the UTIA Office of Advancement Executive Leadership Team, contributing to the strategic direction of alumni and annual giving programs. Collaborate with advancement colleagues and institute‑wide partners to develop and sustain a cohesive engagement strategy. Work with advancement and college staff to ensure all alumni programs are delivered with high quality and a personalized approach. Position requires evening and weekend work, as well as overnight and independent off‑site travel as needed.
Qualifications Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Senior Director of Alumni and Annual Giving position is required to have:
7+ years of experience in alumni and annual giving in a higher education or non‑profit setting
2+ years of supervisory experience to include volunteers, interns and/or students
Alumni and/or volunteer management or related experience
Able to simultaneously juggle multiple high‑profile tasks
Self‑started with attention to detail who will thrive in a fast‑paced work environment
High level organizational skills
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 5 years of experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
Volunteer management experience in a university advancement office
Target Start Date:
July 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.
Job Info
Job Identification 7756
Job Category Advancement
Posting Date 04/15/2026, 04:40 PM
Job Schedule Full time
Locations Knoxville, TN, United States
EEO Statement 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.
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