The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Director of Annual Giving Digital Strategy for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Annual Giving, the Director of Annual Giving Digital Strategy is responsible for creating and executing the strategic plan for our Digital Fundraising programs to increase the number of donors and dollars raised to the university through innovative fundraising campaigns.  

Required Education and Experience

The candidate who fills the Director of Annual Giving Digital Strategy position is required to have:

• Bachelor’s degree

• 5+ years of experience in annual giving, non-profit, or alumni relations experience 

• Excellent at written and verbal communication

 

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 3 years of experience.

 

Preferred Education and Experience 

In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:

• Master’s degree

• Digital Fundraising experience

• 6+ years of experience in annual giving or digital fundraising

• Candidate must be adaptable and comfortable managing multiple, large scale fundraising campaigns at the same time

• Requires a strong work ethic and good relationship building skills for vast collaborations since this position works very closely with the entire campus community

 

Application Process: Applications must include a completed candidate profile, cover letter, and resume. Candidates selected to move forward in the evaluation process will be asked to provide contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate. 

 

When determining minimum qualifications, only information entered into the candidate profile can be considered. Please ensure your candidate profile is completed in its entirety as it relates to qualifying education/work experience. 

 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

 

Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org. 

 

Target Start Date: Fall 2026

 

Benefits: The Foundation’s greatest asset is our team. Foundation employees are eligible for a comprehensive suite of benefits that includes:

 

• 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

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The Foundation: The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves as the preferred channel for private contributions benefiting students and faculty within the UT System. With a vision of being one of the top-performing advancement organizations in higher education, UTFI is committed to enhancing the educational landscape across the University of Tennessee campuses.

 

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been advancing knowledge and enriching lives since its founding in 1794. Tennessee’s flagship public research university, UT Knoxville is a diverse community whose shared commitment to discovery, creativity, and education combines with a tradition of service and engagement to carry the Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. UT’s campus—home to more than 36,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff members—is part of the vibrant city of Knoxville, located on the Tennessee River with the Great Smoky Mountains nearby.

 

The UT System: The University of Tennessee System is comprised of campuses at Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin and the Health Science Center at Memphis; the Institute of Agriculture; and the Institute for Public Service. 

 

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. 

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

 

Big Orange Give: Provides strategic oversight and drives execution of UT Knoxville's annual giving day, partnering with content teams to develop compelling pre-, during-, and post-campaign messaging across email and social media. Collaborates across colleges, units, and Advancement teams to ensure coordinated campus-wide promotion, while building relationships with match and challenge donors and engaging UTK/UTIA faculty and staff. Orchestrates the Alumni Board of Directors' match-solicitation, pledge fulfillment, and stewardship efforts. Works with the Donor Experience team to ensure creative stewardship and appropriate donor recognition.

 

Student Philanthropy, Senior Impact, and Special Campaigns: Partners with the Center for Student and Alumni Programs to build strategy and engagement for Senior Impact, setting participation goals and recruiting/training the Senior Impact Council. Identifies special campaign opportunities—including memorial/honorary projects, event-based campaigns, and recurring-giving initiatives—to grow the donor and revenue base. Collaborates with campus and advancement partners on crowdfunding and other unique campaign opportunities as they arise.

 

Parents/CampusESP: Works with Student Life and Student Life Advancement partners to promote philanthropic messaging and outcomes through the CampusESP platform at key points in the academic year. Leverages the platform to drive fundraising for priority programs during Big Orange Give, Giving Tuesday, and calendar/fiscal year-end giving. Promotes relevant Volstarter campaigns to grow parent donor participation and revenue.

 

Additional Responsibilities and Assignments: Serves as liaison to colleges and units on strategic annual giving needs, including gift allocations, online giving links, and appeal support, while ensuring data integrity on giving platforms and forms. Manages quarterly meetings with Constituent Management partners to address annual giving program issues. Shares responsibility, alongside the Associate Vice Chancellor for Annual Giving, for chargeback report data and year-end campaign coordination across colleges and units.