Director of Development, Health Sciences

THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT FOUNDATION INC • Mansfield, CT

5d • $100,000 - $115,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Development is a frontline major gift officer responsible for driving philanthropic support for UConn Health Sciences aligned with campaign priorities. This role manages a robust leadership and major gift portfolio—with a particular emphasis on the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Working closely with leadership and Foundation colleagues, the Director secures philanthropic investments that advance the priorities of UConn’s Health Sciences department. The Director plays a critical role in strengthening donor relationships, expanding the major gift pipeline, and increasing overall philanthropic support for high-priority initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferable skills.
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems.
• 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.
• Attention to and concern for others.
• Must be willing to travel extensively.
• Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued from the state in which the employee resides.
• Employees must maintain at their expense automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000.
• A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.

Nice To Haves

• advanced degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 75–100 prospects rated at $100K+.
• Raise $2M–$5M annually in support of UConn’s Health Sciences.
• Conduct 20–40 qualification meetings at the $100K+ level; 15+ solicitations at $100K+; and 100+ meaningful, face-to-face meetings each year.
• Develop and execute innovative strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects.
• Prepare compelling donor proposals and case materials tailored to Health Sciences priorities.
• Collaborate with UConn Health development, alumni relations, and central Foundation teams to ensure alignment with institutional fundraising strategies.
• Conduct all fundraising activities in full compliance with Foundation policy, HIPAA regulations, and patient privacy requirements.
• Partner with Foundation advancement leadership, Deans, and other stakeholders to develop move-management plans for prospects and advance donor relationships.
• Contribute to a metric-driven fundraising environment by meeting or exceeding activity and revenue goals.
• Identify and support clear fundraising priorities for Health Sciences within the campaign, crafting compelling cases to advance these initiatives.
• Work with Prospect Management to assign portfolios, analyze pipeline health, track progress, complete quarterly reports, and recommend operational improvements to enhance donor engagement.
• Build relationships with donors, volunteers, and Health Science partners to identify new prospects with philanthropic potential.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of fundraising activity and donor strategies in the CRM; follow all Foundation processes and policies.
• Model the Foundation’s values in all professional interactions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Demonstrate the ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and above, while advancing the number and quality of principal ($5 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team.
• Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.
• Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Benefits

• medical, dental, and vision plans
• annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans
• generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan
• hybrid schedule
• thirteen paid holidays
• five weeks of paid time off per calendar year
• additional sick time
• opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year
• tuition reimbursement after one year of employment

What This Job Offers

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