Associate Director of Development, School of Medicine

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

1d • $80,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director of Development is a front-line fundraiser responsible for managing a comprehensive major-gift portfolio for UConn’s School of Medicine, with a focus on securing major gift support for the school and other important UConn Health initiatives. The role manages prospects and donors with the capacity to give $100,000 or more and is expected to secure at least $500,000 annually in philanthropic support aligned with unit and campaign priorities. Performance is measured annually through prospect qualification, cultivation, solicitations, commitments, and dollars raised; individual goals are established with the manager for each fiscal year.

The position develops and supports strategic fundraising priorities, communicates compelling cases for support, and works with donors, volunteers, University leaders, Prospect Management and Research, Advancement Services, and the principal gifts team. It also includes donor stewardship, alumni engagement, unit events, activity documentation, proposal writing, engagement plans in the relationship management database, and adherence to Foundation policies. The Associate Director contributes to divisional productivity and provides visible leadership in organization-wide activities while modeling the Foundation’s core values.

The role is based at the UConn Foundation Health Center in Farmington, Connecticut, and includes a hybrid schedule. The position may require work exceeding 40 hours per week and extensive travel. Reliable personal transportation and a valid driver’s license are required, along with maintaining at least $300,000 in automobile and/or umbrella liability coverage; $500,000 is preferred.

The UConn Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization supporting the University of Connecticut’s educational, research, and service missions. It advances philanthropy and alumni and donor engagement across UConn and UConn Health, including the $1.5 billion Because of UConn: The Campaign for UConn Nation. The Foundation describes its workplace as caring and supportive and is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a welcoming environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferable skills.
• Competence with Microsoft Office and donor management systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy; ability to build productive relationships with diverse constituencies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate University priorities to donors and prospects.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage multiple tasks, prioritize, and track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engender donor trust and confidence, maintain confidentiality, and 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.
• Willingness to travel extensively.
• Reliable personal transportation and a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence.
• Maintain at least $300,000 in total automobile and/or umbrella liability coverage at the employee’s expense; proof is required at hire and annually thereafter.

Nice To Haves

• Coverage of $500,000 in total automobile and/or umbrella liability is preferred.
• Experience using Blackbaud CRM.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors with the capacity to give $100,000 or more, particularly alumni, family, and friends of the unit.
• Secure at least $500,000 annually in philanthropic support aligned with unit and campaign priorities.
• Meet or exceed performance metrics for prospect qualification, donor visits, solicitations, proposals submitted, commitments, and dollars raised.
• Collaborate with donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
• Document fundraising activity, write proposals, enter engagement plans in the relationship management database, and follow Foundation policies.
• Contribute to the productivity and efficiency of development staff in a metrics-driven environment.
• Develop and support strategic fundraising priorities within the campaign and articulate compelling cases for support.
• Personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and above and advance principal-gift conversations of $5 million and above in partnership with the principal gifts team.
• Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to grow the major-gift pipeline and unit fundraising success.
• Work with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage alumni, and support unit-specific events.
• Participate in 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.
• Annual contribution to a health savings account for employees enrolled in an offered high-deductible health plan.
• Generous contribution to the 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 through training courses, committees, and conferences.
• Tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

What This Job Offers

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