Executive Director of Prospect Intelligence & Pipeline Optimization (4069)

University of Tennessee, Knoxville • Full-time • Knoxville, TN, US • 4m ago

Job Description

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Executive Director of Prospect Intelligence & Pipeline Optimization. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Prospect Development, the Executive Director of Prospect Intelligence & Pipeline Optimization (EDPIPO) is responsible for leading a team that catalyzes the production of the Development team through intelligent segmentation of the enterprise-wide major giving portfolio and delivery of precision prospect intelligence.

As a key senior leader on the Prospect Development team, the EDPIPO oversees and manages all aspects of the Prospect Intelligence & Pipeline Optimization unit. Core focus areas include oversight of (1) proactive prospect intelligence; (2) stratification of the enterprise-wide portfolio into optimized portfolios at the institution, institute, and unit level; (3) leading collaborative efforts with Central Services colleagues to develop and maintain dynamic predictive prospect models and analytics tools; and (4) defining and maintaining prospect pools to enable streamlined operations and inform decisions regarding enterprise-wide investment of capital.

This position works closely with principal advancement leaders and campus leadership to ensure a coordinated and collaborative approach to portfolio optimization across the University of Tennessee. The EDPIPO holds responsibility for ongoing review and suggested evolution of relevant policies and procedures-with a focus on ensuring clarity, consistency, and streamlined operations across all development units. This position regularly interacts with senior leadership and key stakeholders across the enterprise.

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Leadership & Supervision: Leads strategic planning, communication and execution of team goals, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and fiscal responsibility. Manages and mentors a high performing team by providing training, resources, and ongoing coaching, while fostering a culture of respect, growth, and innovation. Oversees performance evaluations, policy development and the integration of emerging tools like AI to enhance prospect intelligence and pipeline optimization.

Pipeline Optimization: Provide proactive leadership to ensure an ongoing collaborative and solutions-focused approach is provided by all team members; this approach positions the team as professional collaborators who are laser-focused on aligning their efforts with that of prospect development team members and development team members. Maintain regular and proactive communication with key senior Development leaders to ensure an accurate pulse is maintained on evolving needs-especially related to prospect intelligence; prioritize potential solutions according to business needs and address needs in an entrepreneurial manner. Monitor overall integrity of key performance indicators (KPIs) for portfolio health across the enterprise, and collaborate with prospect development peer leaders and Central Services colleagues to ensure respective dashboards and reports are accurate, clear, and accessible.

Prospect Intelligence: Collaborate with fellow Prospect Development senior leaders to define workflows and business processes that effectively ensure accurate, timely, and prioritized prospect intelligence is maintained across dynamic prospect pools within the University of Tennessee system-wide portfolio. Provide leadership in defining logic, business processes, and workflows to assign proactive prospect intelligence capital to individual members of the team in a consistent, strategic, and efficient manner. Provide leadership to define a prospect intelligence request process that ensures maximal return on investment (ROI) of team capital, as well as strategic and equitable application of resources across the enterprise. Partner with senior Development leaders and fellow Prospect Development senior leaders to define a proactive and reactive principle giving prospect intelligence workflow, to ensure professional talent is in sync with business priorities.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

The candidate who fills the Executive Director of Prospect Intelligence and Pipeline Optimization position is required to have:

Bachelor's degree

8+ years of progressive experience in roles that require translating data and analysis to generate actionable strategy and solutions that drive business outcomes

2+ years of supervisory experience including goal setting, performance management, and

driving results

An entrepreneurial mindset with strong strategic planning capabilities and business intelligence acumen

Experience working within a decentralized work environment, in a collaborative service role leading complex projects

A broad understanding of diverse prospect bases spanning the full scope of UTFI's enterprise, i.e. business, engineering, arts & sciences, agriculture, athletics, grateful patients, and friends of the institution

Excellent analytical, communication, 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 6 years of experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

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

Higher education experience

Philanthropic experience, including in fundraising, prospect development, prospect management, portfolio development, and the use of analytics

Experience utilizing CRMs; Salesforce preferred

Experience utilizing analytics tools, such as Tableau

Change management experience

Experience developing and leading trainings, and/or experience teaching or advising professional staff

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before August 4, 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: September 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

_________

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 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 Info