Director of Development, Health Sciences

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

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.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 75–100 prospects rated at $100K+.
• Raise $2M–$5M annualy 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.

Major, Leadership, and Principal Gift Fundraising

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.

Potential Donor Discovery

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

Engagement

Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.

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 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.
• 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

• 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.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $115,000. 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.