Associate Director of Development Jobs

The UConn Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that supports the University of Connecticut by connecting alumni, donors, and friends with philanthropic opportunities to advance UConn’s educational, research, and service missions. Our work strengthens the University’s momentum as a top public research institution and supports students, faculty, patients, alumni, and communities across UConn and UConn Health.

Through Because of UConn: The Campaign for UConn Nation, the Foundation is helping drive UConn’s most ambitious comprehensive campaign, a $1.5 billion effort spanning all schools, colleges, campuses, and UConn Health. The campaign focuses on four pillars that make education more affordable, expand discovery and innovation, improve health and wellness, and strengthen Husky Pride.

• Students First: expanding financial aid, student health, career readiness, and life skills.
• Academic & Innovation Excellence: investing in faculty, graduate fellows, research, and innovation.
• Health & Wellness of People & Planet: advancing patient care, medical research, and life-changing technologies.
• Husky Pride: supporting athletic excellence and an engaged UConn Nation of more than 290,000 alumni worldwide.

We seek talented professionals to join The UConn Foundation and help grow philanthropy, engage alumni and donors, and build a strong endowment that strategically advances UConn and UConn Health.

We are committed to a caring, supportive environment through commitment to our Core Values of Purpose, Excellence, Culture, Communication, and Integrity.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We value different perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that respects each person’s experiences and identity.

POSITION SUMMARY

As a member of the School of Medicine development team, the Associate Director of Development & Alumni Relations is responsible for developing the strategy and the planning and execution of alumni programs, services and communications that engage the alumni with each other, the unit, Foundation Advancement, and the University. This position will manage a portfolio of donors that range of alumni, family and friends of the university locally, regionally, and nationally with the goal to increase engagement and philanthropic support for the unit. This includes serving as a liaison between the Schools and the Foundation to support the goals of both through shared resources and collaborative initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors with the capacity to give $10k+, with a particular focus on alumni, family & friends of the unit.
• Secure $100-250k annually in philanthropic support that aligns with unit and campaign priorities.
• Meet or exceed established performance metrics related to prospect qualification, donor visits, solicitations, proposals submitted, and dollars raised.
  • Fundraiser performance is measured annually by qualifications, cultivations, solicitations, commitments, and dollars raised. Goals vary based on factors such as experience, unit size, portfolio, and past performance, and are set with the manager for each fiscal year to ensure transparency, consistency, and alignment.
• Develop and execute programs and events that foster continued alumni engagement and philanthropic investment in the unit and the University.
• Collaborate with the unit and Foundation’s Communications teams to highlight alumni achievements using digital tools such as social media to create a more visible and engaged alumni network.
• Collaborate with the Foundation and unit faculty and staff, members of UConn’s cultural centers, other alumni relations professionals, alumni chapters/networks, and alumni affinity groups to ensure that alumni programming meets broad University, College and Alumni Relations objectives.
• Collaborate with prospect management, donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
• Perform administrative duties related to advancement work Including documenting activity, writing proposals, inputting engagement plans in relationship management database, and adhering to Foundation policies.
• Model and articulate the Foundation’s organizational core values at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Engagement

Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Key Competencies

• Champion for inclusive priorities both internally and externally.
• High level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
• Familiar with the use of computers and information management tools, such as CRMs (Blackbaud).
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information; ability to represent the UConn Foundation to prospects, donors, faculty, administrators, and others.
• Ability to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.
• Must be willing to travel extensively. Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
• Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state in which the employee resides. Employees must maintain, at their expense, at least $300,000 in total automobile and/or umbrella liability coverage of $300,000. Coverage of $500,000 is preferred. Proof of the required coverage must be provided at hire and annually thereafter.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience in alumni relations, event planning, fundraising, or equivalent experience.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $80,000 - $85,000. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

Here’s a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b)-retirement plan.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various training courses, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

Please contact an Employee Support & Experience team member if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.