Assistant Director of Annual Giving, Student Engagement Center (3040)

University of Tennessee, Knoxville • Full-time • Knoxville, TN, US • 6m ago

Job Description

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Assistant Director of Annual Giving for the Student Engagement Center on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor, the Assistant Director of Annual Giving is responsible for executing and managing the Engagement Center Program, in coordination with other members of the annual giving team.

The purpose of this position is to recruit, hire, train, manage, motivate and coach the performance of up to six student managers and 70 student employees to secure over $400,000 and 4,000 donors for UT Knoxville colleges, units, and programs.

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Optimize Student Outreach: Manage the performance of up to 30 student callers and approximately 6 members of the student management team during nightly calling shifts. Provide ongoing training for students to ensure their success with all donor types/programs, confirmations, texting, emails, and pledge documentation. Facilitate practice phone calls with students to help improve their performance. Write calling scripts for students to use to guide their conversations with alumni and donors. Recruit, review applications, interview, and hire students each semester until capacity (approximately 70 student callers) is reached.

Program Management & Strategy: Analyze calling statistics and performance reports to strategize and determine caller assignments, set nightly fundraising goals and identify areas in need of improvement. Develop and implement plans to address areas in need of improvement and provide incentives to callers to address these areas. Review and update training materials and methods to continually improve training processes. Communicate with alumni, donors, and other prospects as needed to address questions and concerns. Supervise student work, paperwork, and support interview processes with scheduling interviews and other related materials as needed.

Administrative: Oversee hiring paperwork process to ensure student paperwork is processed in a timely manner. Collect and send paperwork for e-verification. Assist Engagement Center Assistant with supervision of daytime student office workers and help with the management of the Annual Giving intern. Become an adept user of RNL Engage, Mongoose Cadence, and Thankview.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

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

Bachelor's degree
3+ years with a bachelor's degree or 1+ year with a graduate degree, with related experience in working in a call center, telemarketing, sales and/or customer service
1+ year of supervisory experience including supervising student workers, volunteers and/or interns
Knowledge of basic computer operating systems and programs such as Microsoft Office
Excellent written and communication, organization and interpersonal skills

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 1 year of experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

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

Master's degree
Experience with automated calling software
Prior student management experience
Knowledge of RNL Engage and a major CRM platform
Experience as a trainer, training, or coaching college student personnel

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before May 30, 2025 via our DASH application system. 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: July 2025

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.

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