Corporate Relations Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Knoxville, TN

Assistant Director of Board Relations

Assistant Director of Board Relations

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Assistant Director of Board Relations for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations, the Assistant Director of Board Relations serves as the primary liaison between the Associate Vice Chancellor for Alumni Relations and the UT Knoxville Alumni Board of Directors. The Assistant Director of Board oversees overall board member engagement through hosting board meeting, events, and additional campus and community engagement opportunities.

The purpose of this position is to serve as a leader in creating a best-in-class alumni board by implementing events, programs, and engagement efforts for the UT Knoxville Alumni Board of Directors. This role will serve as a highly visible partner to the members of the Alumni Board through their work planning events/meetings, leading board recruiting and orientation efforts, developing strategic communications, and facilitating alumni board recognition and stewardship initiatives. Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Alumni Board Management & Engagement:

• Plan and execute board events, such as full board meetings, committee meetings, stewardship events, and other special events. Event management to include logistics, budget, agendas, guest speakers, event briefings, and day-of execution.
• Manage day-to-day board activities, including organizing the board’s strategic priorities, recruiting and orienting new board members, and tracking board involvement & annual giving.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of advisory board governing rules or bylaws, best practices, and issues affecting non-profit organizations and alumni associations.

Board Portal Management:

• Oversee use of a board management portal (Board Effect), including new user and annual training.
• Regularly update the portal with current documentation, i.e. meeting agendas, minutes, news items, and other records.

Past Presidents Council:

• Maintain regular communication with past presidents of the Alumni Board.
• Plan and host annual events for the Past Presidents Council.

Required Education and Experience

The candidate who fills the Assistant Director of Board Relations position is required to have:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Three or more years of experience (or 1 years of experience with a Master’s degree) in alumni relations, non-profit, board management, special events, or a related field.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of accomplished individuals in a diplomatic and professional manner.
• A strong commitment to customer service, open communication, and a team environment.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in working independently as well as collaboratively with University Advancement and central UTFI staff, as well as faculty and staff campus-wide to achieve defined goals.
• Attention to detail, organized, and an ability to prioritize work assignments.

Preferred Education and Experience

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

• Master’s degree
• Experience working in higher education alumni relations, advancement, or philanthropy.
• Knowledge of Salesforce CRM or other fundraising software
• Advanced skills in SharePoint and Microsoft suite of products
• Ability to train volunteer leaders
• Ability to travel occasionally, locally and nationally
• Project management skills

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before May 7, 2024 via our Taleo application system. Applications must include a completed candidate profile, cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without explicit permission of the candidate.

NOTE – 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.

Questions about the search may be directed to hr@utfi.org.

Benefits: Recognized as a Top Employer by Knoxville Top Workplaces in 2022 and 2023, 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.