Senior Director of Principal Gifts, UConn Health (Hybrid)

The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and healthcare system with its flagship campus in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land-, sea-and space-grant university charged with education, research, and service to the state and nation. The University serves over 33,000 students across seven campuses, 9,200 first-in-family students, and boasts 25 national championships.

UConn Health, with main campus in Farmington, is a top-ranked, vibrant, integrated academic medical center that is entering an era of unprecedented growth in all three areas of its mission: academics, research, and clinical care. A commitment to human health and well-being has been of utmost importance to UConn Health since the founding of the University of Connecticut Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine in 1961. Based on a foundation of groundbreaking research, first-rate education, and quality clinical care, UConn Health has expanded its medical missions over the decades and is dedicated to helping people achieve and maintain healthy lives.

To meet the strategic objectives of the University and UConn Health, the UConn Foundation is embarking on a historic campaign. With students and patients at the forefront, the campaign will elevate faculty, groundbreaking research, sustainability, human and health patient care, and a thriving community on all campuses that fuels the state. We seek the top talent in the country to join UConn Nation and invite inquiries and applications. We are committed to a caring and inclusive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education and healthcare

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate diverse perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that will value your unique experiences and identity. We recognize that a true commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requires ongoing education and action, and we strive for continued growth each and every day.

We're looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of integrity, empathy, kindness, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Development is a 100 percent front-line fundraiser responsible for managing a comprehensive principal gift program at UConn Health focused on prospects capable of building a pipeline of philanthropic gifts at the leadership ($1,000,000+) and principal ($5,000,000+) level. Working for the Foundation, but in direct partnership with UConn Health leadership, the deans of the schools of medicine and dental medicine, as well as distinguished faculty, they will fuel UConn Health's scientific research, medical education, and patient care with impactful philanthropy from passionate and grateful donors.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build, manage, and grow a prospect portfolio of 50-75 prospects rated at $1M+.
• Raise $7M - $12M per year.
• Conduct 20+ qualification meetings at the $1M+ level; 10+ solicitations at the $1M+ level; and 80 face-to-face, meaningful meetings with qualified prospects per year.
• Identify and develop the program to evolve in alignment with the UConn Health campaign and its fundraising priorities and goals.
• Develop and execute creative ways to engage, solicit and steward principal gift donors in partnership with University, UConn Health, and Foundation leadership.
• Prepare funding proposals needed for individual donors.
• Conduct all fundraising and stewardship activities in compliance with Foundation, HIPAA, and UConn Health patient rights and privacy policies.
• Create opportunities to engage key volunteers in cultivation, and where appropriate, the solicitation of current and potential donors.
• Collaborate closely with donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
• Partner with Foundation Advancement leadership, deans, center directors, department heads, and members of the faculty and staff to develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities within the campaign and articulate compelling cases to advance these priorities.
• Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the UConn Health's staff, by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
• Work with Prospect Management colleagues to review caseload assignments; track, analyze, and report on progress against goals; complete quarterly reports; and recommend enhancements to increase operational efficiencies, improve communication, and increase donor engagement.
• Perform administrative duties related to advancement work Including documenting activity, inputting engagement plans in relationship management database and adhering to Foundation policies.
• Model collaboration and leadership 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 plan and solicit gifts of $1,000,000+ while advancing the number and quality of principal ($5 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team, primarily for the benefit of UConn Health.

Potential Donor Discovery

Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the principal gift pipeline and overall fundraising success at UConn Health.

Engagement

Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to UConn Health.

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 inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.
• High level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Proven capability to evaluate and adjust work plans for optimum alignment to achieve annual goals.
• 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 consent to a background check, conducted and approved by UConn Health, to obtain staff access to UConn Health's buildings.
• Must be willing to travel extensively. Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
• Must possess a valid driver's license issued from the state in which the employee resides. Employees must maintain at their expense, automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000. A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree, advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of experience as a major and principal gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferrable skills.

Salary:

The expected salary for this position is $135,000+. 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 inform a Human Resources Representative if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.