Assistant Vice President of Development, Schools & Colleges

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

Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Assistant Vice President of Development, Schools & Colleges (AVP), leads the Schools and Colleges Development teams, while personally managing a portfolio of principal and major gift donors. In close collaboration with the VP of Development, the AVP provides strategic oversight, direction, and support to unit-based development leaders to ensure alignment with University and campaign priorities.

The AVP establishes and drives ambitious fundraising goals for their teams, translating campaign objectives into clear strategies and measurable outcomes. The role is also responsible for managing, mentoring, and developing a senior team of fundraisers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and excellence to advance philanthropic impact across the Schools and Colleges.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage a prospect portfolio of 50-75 prospects.
• Raise $4-10M per year.
• Conduct 5-10+ qualification meetings at the $1M+ level; 10+ solicitations at the $500K - $1M level; and 75 face-to-face, meaningful meetings per year.
• Works with foundation staff, deans, and other institution administrators to plan and implement strategic giving and alumni engagement strategies for the schools and colleges.
• Ensure compliance with all HIPAA, Foundation and the Universities fundraising procedures and policies.
• Work in conjunction with the VP, deans, foundation staff, and other university stakeholders to ensure well-defined and measurable goals.
• Provide leadership and supervision as well as mentorship, coaching, training, and recognition opportunities for new and existing staff.
• Collaborate closely with 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.
• Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the Division/Department’s development staff, by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
• Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities within the campaign and articulate compelling cases to advance these priorities.
• Model and articulate the Foundation’s organizational core values at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Major, Leadership, and Principal Gift Fundraising

Demonstrate the ability to personally solicit gifts of $500,000 and above, while advancing the number and quality of leadership ($1 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team.

Potential Donor Discovery

Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success across the schools & colleges.

Engagement

Collaborate with Stakeholder Engagement to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events across the schools and units.

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 & externally.
• Demonstrates ability to strategize, implement and build constituency programs and activities, along with a talent for motivating volunteers.
• Experience in envisioning, developing, and implementing a comprehensive integrated alumni relations program across a complex enterprise.
• Demonstrated strategic, leadership and management capabilities in a comprehensive advancement environment, high level of motivation and assertiveness.
• 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.
• 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

• Bachelors degree required. Advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferrable skills.
• 6+ years of management/leadership experience, preferably in higher-ed fundraising.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $185,000 - $205,000. 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.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• 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 trainings, 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.