Associate Director of Development & Alumni Relations, School of Medicine

The University of Connecticut Foundation, Inc. • West Bloomfield Township, MI

1d • $70,000 - $80,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Development & Alumni Relations is a member of the School of Medicine development team. The role develops, plans, and executes alumni programs, services, and communications to connect alumni with one another, the School, Foundation Advancement, and the University. The position manages a portfolio of donors—including alumni, family, and friends locally, regionally, and nationally—to increase engagement and philanthropic support. It also serves as a liaison between the School and the Foundation, supporting shared goals through collaboration and shared resources.

The role manages prospects and donors with capacity to give $10,000 or more and seeks to secure $100,000–$250,000 annually in philanthropic support aligned with School and campaign priorities. Performance is assessed against annual goals for prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitation, commitments, proposals, visits, and dollars raised. The position also develops alumni-engagement events and programs, collaborates with communications teams to promote alumni achievements, and works with faculty, staff, volunteers, alumni groups, and University leaders to advance engagement and fundraising objectives.

The position includes advancement administration, such as documenting activity, writing proposals, entering engagement plans in the relationship management database, and following Foundation policies. It requires extensive travel, reliable personal transportation, and the ability to meet the demands of the role, which may exceed a 40-hour work week. The position is based at the UConn Foundation Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut, with a hybrid schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of experience in alumni relations, event planning, fundraising, or equivalent experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate University priorities to donors and prospects and represent the University and Foundation positively.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy, with the ability to build productive relationships across a broad range of constituencies.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build donor and prospective-donor trust and confidence and maintain confidentiality of donor information.
• Familiarity with computers and information management tools, such as Blackbaud CRM.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
• Reliable personal transportation and a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence.
• Must maintain, at personal expense, at least $300,000 in total automobile and/or umbrella liability coverage; $500,000 is preferred. Proof of coverage is required at hire and annually thereafter.
• Ability to meet the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors with the capacity to give $10,000 or more, focusing particularly on alumni, family, and friends of the School.
• Secure $100,000–$250,000 annually in philanthropic support aligned with unit and campaign priorities.
• Meet or exceed annual performance goals for prospect qualification, donor visits, solicitations, proposals, commitments, and dollars raised.
• Develop and execute programs and events that foster alumni engagement and philanthropic investment in the School and University.
• Collaborate with unit and Foundation communications teams to highlight alumni achievements, including through social media and other digital tools.
• Work with Foundation and unit faculty and staff, cultural centers, alumni relations professionals, alumni chapters and networks, and affinity groups to coordinate alumni programming.
• Collaborate with prospect management, donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
• Perform advancement administration, including documenting activity, writing proposals, entering engagement plans in the relationship management database, and following Foundation policies.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage alumni, and support unit-specific events.
• Provide visible leadership through organization-wide activities, including development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.
• Model and articulate the Foundation’s organizational core values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans, effective from day one.
• Annual contribution to a health savings account for employees enrolled in an offered high-deductible health plan.
• Employer contribution to a 403(b) retirement plan.
• Hybrid schedule and emphasis on work/life balance.
• Thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• Professional development opportunities, including training courses, committees, and conferences.
• Tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level