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University of Utah Health is the only academic medical center in the state of Utah and provides patient care for the people of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, western Colorado, and much of Nevada. Staying true to the pioneering, innovative spirit of the West, it serves as the training ground for scientists and the majority of the state’s physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other health care professionals.
The University of Utah Health (U of U Health) seeks a Director of Advancement for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, the flagship medical education institution in the Intermountain West. The Director of Advancement will be responsible for soliciting private philanthropic support through major and principal gifts to benefit U of U Health’s strategic priorities. Reporting to the Senior Executive Director of Advancement, and in partnership with physicians, faculty, and staff, the Director of Advancement will manage a national portfolio of donors and prospects to deepen their engagement with and giving to Utah Health through support of capital projects, research initiatives, scholarship/fellowship support, professorships, and other expendable and endowment opportunities.
The ideal candidate will have fundraising experience in academic medicine, hospital organizations, and/or a Tier I research institution, as well as a track record of successfully soliciting and closing five and six-figure gifts. They will be an exceptional donor-centered relationship-builder and eager to partner with physicians and faculty members to engage new donors and inspire current donors in support of Utah Health and the University as the team looks forward to continued growth.
Responsibilities
The University of Utah Health seeks a dynamic, collaborative fundraising professional to serve as the Director of Advancement ( DOA ) and seek philanthropic support for the academic priorities of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine ( SFESOM ). The DOA will also support several key SFESOM capital initiatives, including the completion of fundraising for a new School of Medicine building, the Eccles Health Sciences Library ( EHSL ), and the Center for Medical Innovation ( CMI ). This important and highly visible position will manage relationships with a portfolio of donors who have the capability of making major to principal gifts in the range of $25,000 to $1 million-plus gifts.
The DOA will build philanthropic support by engaging and involving all SFESOM alumni, faculty, administrators, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. The DOA will articulate and execute an annual advancement work plan focused on best practices including goals and metrics and philanthropic priorities, leading to the procurement of private support for the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
The DOA also works closely with the SFESOM alumni relations team; the SFESOM Alumni Association; the SFESOM clinical DOAs; directors of annual giving, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations, donor relations, and prospect research; and colleagues throughout the University of Utah Health to build and implement effective strategies and collaborative partnerships that will lead to long-term relationships and significant gift support from prospective benefactors. This position will report directly to the Senior Executive Director of Advancement ( SEDOA ) for the University of Utah Health Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine with input from leaders across the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
Primary Responsibilities
The Director of Advancement, SFESOM , will:
In consultation with the Senior Executive Director of Advancement and department leadership, establish the vision and priorities for short- and long-term fundraising goals including setting fundraising objectives that are meaningful, challenging, realistic, and metric and action oriented.
Establish well-defined strategies for a program that includes major gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundations relations, a robust stewardship program, and alumni engagement.
Develop a strong working knowledge of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, its vision, objectives, and academic priorities.
Identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward major gift prospects, primarily medical school alumni, and participate cooperatively in the University’s prospect management and tracking system and assist with the maintenance of alumni and donor records. In collaboration with the SFESOM clinical fundraising team, develop and implement a long-term strategy to engage and solicit resident, fellow, and house staff alumni.
Plan, implement, and manage a major gift fundraising program to meet departmental priorities by:
Working closely with the Senior Executive Director of Advancement to establish major gift and annual fundraising goals based upon assessment of the qualified donor portfolio and the departments’ defined priorities; and
Identifying and evaluating the giving potential of prospects while developing innovative strategies for cultivation and solicitation.
In consultation with the SEDOA and Dean, submitting an annual advancement work plan and budget that includes goals, objectives, strategies, anticipated travel, and metrics for fundraising and professional development and performance management goals. Participating in quarterly assessment of progress toward meeting short- and long-term goals:
Scheduling and arranging on-site and off-site regional meetings and cultivation recognition events such as chair and laboratory dedications and cultivation and stewardship visits to major gift donors and prospects; developing agendas; and coordinating the participation of faculty, administration leaders, and volunteers.
Personally communicating with and visiting major prospects and donors.
Working with the Director of Legacy Giving to provide information on specific devices for giving, both current and deferred, to maximize gift and tax benefits.
Preparing or directing the preparation of leadership, principal, and major gift proposals, solicitations, cultivation materials, and stewardship information for major gift prospects and donors.
Identifying, enlisting, motivating, guiding, and supporting faculty and volunteers for participation in major gift solicitations.
Managing and staffing volunteer advisory boards.
Leading and engaging in special event planning, including the coordination of virtual and hybrid events; and communicating routinely and effectively with SFESOM Clinical and Academic Directors of Advancement, SFESOM Alumni Relations team members, Senior Directors of Advancement, the Senior Executive Director, Chief Philanthropy Officer, department leadership, and other senior leaders who are actively involved with pending and outstanding solicitations with major benefactors.
Work collaboratively with the University of Utah’s clinical fundraising team and other University fundraising professionals to support donors whose philanthropic interests span research, education, and health care.
Develop and implement programs related to public relations, communication, training, and alumni engagement including working with department marketing staff.
Support the discovery, qualification, cultivation, and stewardship of School of Medicine alumni, supporting annual giving efforts and coordinating events for alumni and institutional advancement.
Travel quarterly to an assigned geographical region to secure philanthropic support from high-capacity U of U Health alumni. Closely collaborate with the other academic and clinical DOAs on funding priorities and proposal development.
Build a strong relationship with the Dean and faculty leaders throughout the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine through personal meetings and maintain a strong presence within the school’s facilities. Coordinate the participation of the Dean, alumni, physicians, administrators, academic leaders, volunteers, and advancement staff in fundraising and stewardship activities.
Participate in administrative and faculty meetings within the school as well as administrative and staff meetings in the Office of Advancement.
Monitor the gift accounts including endowed and expendable funds to ensure that they are being managed in accordance with the donor’s gift agreements.
Submit regular reports to the SEDOA , Dean, and other institutional leaders as required.
Responsibilities require considerable professional independence, personal initiative, and the ability to respond to a variety of situations involving university constituencies effectively and quickly.
Also responsible for other duties assigned by the SEDOA .
This position can work in a hybrid environment (two to three days week hybrid/in-person). An employee hired into this role will be responsible for providing space, telephone, printing, networking, and/or internet capabilities at the telecommute location and agree to the terms of the University of Utah campus and Health Academics Telecommuting Agreement.
This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
Work Environment And Level Of Frequency Typically Required
Nearly Continuously: Office environment.
Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.
Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communication, Public Relations, English, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Five years experience in fundraising, marketing, sales, business, public relations, annual, corporate or foundation giving which includes two years of budgeting and supervisory experience. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills required. Experience in grant or proposal writing, public speaking, a background working with print and/or electronic media, an understanding of university fundraising practices and personnel management is preferred.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
University of Utah and University of Utah Health seek a Director of Advancement, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine with:
A commitment to the mission of University of Utah Health — to serve the people of Utah and beyond by continually improving individual and community health and quality of life achieved through excellence in patient care, education, and research.
An ability to establish, cultivate, and steward meaningful relationships with donors.
Knowledge of fundraising best practices, alumni relations, copywriting, editing, event planning, interviewing, and reporting.
An ability to perform the essential functions of the position as outlined.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and an ability to work well with people at all levels of an organization, across a diverse range of educational and social backgrounds, and to demonstrate honest respect for each individual.
A broad understanding of multifaceted campaign planning, implementation, and management.
Experience in grant or proposal writing, public speaking, a background working with print and/or electronic media, and an understanding of higher education fundraising practices.
An understanding of corporate and foundation fundraising and gift-planning vehicles.
University of Utah Health will consider candidates with a broad range of backgrounds. A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least six years of progressively responsible experience in institutional development or advancement, preferably in academic medicine, with an emphasis on cultivating and soliciting major gifts, is preferred.
Type Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
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Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Higher Education
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