University of Utah
Development Director
🇺🇸 Hybrid - Salt Lake City, UT
🕑 Full-Time
💰 $105K - $125K
💻 Development & Advancement
🗓️ September 18th, 2025
Edtech.com's Summary
University of Utah is hiring a Development Director for the College of Nursing. The role involves securing philanthropic support by managing relationships with major donors, guiding advancement staff, and collaborating with university leadership to implement an effective fundraising strategy.
Highlights
- Lead major gift fundraising and alumni relations, focusing on five- and six-figure donor prospects primarily among nursing alumni.
- Develop and execute annual advancement plans with specific goals, metrics, and travel strategies.
- Recruit, mentor, and manage advancement and alumni relations staff to meet fundraising objectives.
- Collaborate with college leadership, including the Dean and Academic Leadership Team, and engage volunteers in fundraising activities.
- Prepare proposals, stewardship materials, and oversee gift agreements in coordination with donor relations and legacy giving teams.
- Required qualifications include a Bachelor's degree (or equivalency) and six years of relevant experience with at least two years in budgeting and supervision.
- Preferred candidates have higher education fundraising experience with significant success closing major gifts and managing teams.
- Experience in grant writing, public speaking, media relations, and a strong understanding of fundraising best practices is highly favored.
- Patient-sensitive position with responsibilities to comply with associated requirements.
- Compensation ranges from $105,000 to $125,000 annually.
Development Director Full Description
Development Director
Announcement
Details
Open Date | 09/17/2025
Requisition Number | PRN43121B
Job Title | Development Director
Working Title | Dir of Adv, College of Nursing
Career Progression Track | G
Track Level |
FLSA Code | Management
Patient Sensitive Job Code? | Yes
Standard Hours per Week | 40
Full Time or Part Time? | Full Time
Shift | Day
Work Schedule Summary | In office at least 3 days/week; Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary.
VP Area | President
Department | 00972 - Advancement-Univ Utah Health
Location | Campus
City | Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment | External Posting
Pay Rate Range | 105000 to 125000
Close Date | 12/17/2025
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) |
Job Summary | The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will seek philanthropic support for the College of Nursing priorities under the guidance of and in collaboration with the Dean, College of Nursing, and Principal Director of Advancement for Health Academics. In this essential and highly visible position, the Director of Advancement will manage relationships with a portfolio of donors with the capacity to make major to principal gifts in the five- and six-figure gift range. The Director of Advancement will provide strategic leadership in building philanthropic support by engaging with and developing and maturing relationships with University of Utah Health alumni, university faculty and administrators, friends of the College/University, and leaders and representatives of foundations, corporations, and government agencies. In addition to donor strategy, this role carries leadership responsibility for mentoring, guiding, and supervising advancement staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance within the team. The Director of Advancement will articulate and execute an annual advancement work plan focused on best practices, including goals, metrics, and philanthropic priorities, leading to the procurement of private support for the College of Nursing while modeling strong leadership both internally and externally.
About University of Utah Advancement:
Mission:We generate engagement and philanthropic support to advance the University of Utah’s priorities.
Vision:By 2028, we will be a top 10 public advancement organization and a premier place to work, engage, and support.
Core Values:
Belonging We are a safe community for our best selves; We honor and embrace our varied experiences; We connect with, listen to, and learn from one another.
Collaboration We are one advancement community, and we partner with each other; We are united in decision-making processes and information sharing; We respect and utilize one another’s expertise, talent, and skills.
Empowerment We are entrusted to make informed decisions and move forward; We encourage and advocate for ourselves and one another; We have access to resources for professional growth and development.
Integrity We commit to follow professional and ethical standards; We respect personal values; We communicate with transparency and accountability.
Responsibilities | Fundraising and Alumni Relations
The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will build a sustainable major gift pipeline and foster long-term success by planning and implementing major gift fundraising to support areas of emphasis as assigned by the Principal Director of Advancement for Health Academics and the Dean, including learning, understanding, and acquiring expertise regarding the college’s strategic plan, initiatives, programs, existing resources, education, research, practice, and community collaboration mission areas; identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward major gift prospects, primarily nursing alumni, while participating cooperatively in the university’s prospect management and tracking system to maintain alumni and donor records; in consultation with the Principal Director of Advancement for Health Academics and the Dean, submit an annual advancement work plan and budget to include goals, objectives, strategies, anticipated travel, metrics for fundraising, plans for professional development, and performance management goals; assess progress toward meeting short- and long-term goals quarterly; direct and lead specific fundraising strategies, reviewing and implementing changes when needed; identify high-capacity alumni and prospects in order to secure gifts; closely collaborate with academic and clinical Senior Directors and Directors of Advancement to establish funding priorities and develop proposals; and partner with University Advancement, College of Nursing Alumni Relations, College of Nursing’s Board of Advocates and Alumni Council, Legacy Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Annual Giving, Donor Relations, and Prospect Management to create a robust advancement program
Team Leadership
The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will recruit, hire, train, and mentor College of Nursing Advancement and Alumni Relations team members in accordance with goals, priorities, and requirements; provide frequent opportunities for professional learning and growth, fostering retention to increase the team’s capacity and expertise; ensure accountability for team fundraising metrics; evaluate the performance of direct reports and help manage and evaluate indirect reports; and lead by example, foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration and team-based efforts, celebrates achievements, and sets clear expectations for future success.
Leadership and College of Nursing Support
The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will build a strong relationship with the Dean, Academic Leadership Team (ALT), faculty, and staff leaders, and maintain a strong presence within the College; facilitate the participation of the Dean, alumni, clinicians, administrators, academic leaders, volunteers, and advancement staff in fundraising and stewardship activities; and liaise with volunteers who conduct fundraising activities on behalf of the College of Nursing.
Stewardship
The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will in coordination with the Donor Relations team, prepare written proposals, endowment agreements, informational materials, and other cultivation and stewardship materials for prospects and donors; work with the Director of Donor Relations to coordinate stewardship plans for donors at the leadership gift level; seek appropriate training opportunities, including training necessary for proficiency in gift planning techniques, and partner with the Director of Legacy Giving as appropriate; train advancement staff, academic leaders, and volunteers regarding donor relations, philanthropic support, and fundraising best practices; ensure endowment reports are completed on time and research questions related to reporting accuracies; and monitor gift accounts, including endowed and expendable funds, to ensure execution in accordance with donor gift agreements.
Minimum Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communication, Public Relations, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years or related work experiences). Six years 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 communications skills required.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the job’s essential functions as outlined in the position description.
Preferred Qualifications:Ideal candidates will have at least six years of experience with progressively more responsibility in higher education fundraising, with a strong preference for experience in academic medicine, with an emphasis on cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
Significant experience closing five and six-figure gifts.
Demonstrated increase in fundraising responsibilities and/or management experience.
Demonstrated ability to establish, cultivate, and steward meaningful relationships with donors.
Management experience, demonstrated interpersonal skills, background knowledge of fundraising best practices, alumni relations, copywriting, editing, event planning, and interviewing/reporting experience are highly favored.
Experience in grant or proposal writing, public speaking, and a background working with print and/or electronic media.
Superlative interpersonal skills with a demonstrated 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 multi-faceted campaign planning, implementation, and management.
This position is not responsible for providing patient care. This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements.
Knowledge of corporate and foundation fundraising and gift planning vehicles.
Preferences |
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/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Requisition Number | PRN43121B
Job Title | Development Director
Working Title | Dir of Adv, College of Nursing
Career Progression Track | G
Track Level |
FLSA Code | Management
Patient Sensitive Job Code? | Yes
Standard Hours per Week | 40
Full Time or Part Time? | Full Time
Shift | Day
Work Schedule Summary | In office at least 3 days/week; Ability to work evening and weekend hours, as necessary.
VP Area | President
Department | 00972 - Advancement-Univ Utah Health
Location | Campus
City | Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment | External Posting
Pay Rate Range | 105000 to 125000
Close Date | 12/17/2025
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) |
Job Summary | The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will seek philanthropic support for the College of Nursing priorities under the guidance of and in collaboration with the Dean, College of Nursing, and Principal Director of Advancement for Health Academics. In this essential and highly visible position, the Director of Advancement will manage relationships with a portfolio of donors with the capacity to make major to principal gifts in the five- and six-figure gift range. The Director of Advancement will provide strategic leadership in building philanthropic support by engaging with and developing and maturing relationships with University of Utah Health alumni, university faculty and administrators, friends of the College/University, and leaders and representatives of foundations, corporations, and government agencies. In addition to donor strategy, this role carries leadership responsibility for mentoring, guiding, and supervising advancement staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance within the team. The Director of Advancement will articulate and execute an annual advancement work plan focused on best practices, including goals, metrics, and philanthropic priorities, leading to the procurement of private support for the College of Nursing while modeling strong leadership both internally and externally.
About University of Utah Advancement:
Mission:We generate engagement and philanthropic support to advance the University of Utah’s priorities.
Vision:By 2028, we will be a top 10 public advancement organization and a premier place to work, engage, and support.
Core Values:
Belonging We are a safe community for our best selves; We honor and embrace our varied experiences; We connect with, listen to, and learn from one another.
Collaboration We are one advancement community, and we partner with each other; We are united in decision-making processes and information sharing; We respect and utilize one another’s expertise, talent, and skills.
Empowerment We are entrusted to make informed decisions and move forward; We encourage and advocate for ourselves and one another; We have access to resources for professional growth and development.
Integrity We commit to follow professional and ethical standards; We respect personal values; We communicate with transparency and accountability.
Responsibilities | Fundraising and Alumni Relations
The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will build a sustainable major gift pipeline and foster long-term success by planning and implementing major gift fundraising to support areas of emphasis as assigned by the Principal Director of Advancement for Health Academics and the Dean, including learning, understanding, and acquiring expertise regarding the college’s strategic plan, initiatives, programs, existing resources, education, research, practice, and community collaboration mission areas; identify, cultivate, solicit, negotiate, and steward major gift prospects, primarily nursing alumni, while participating cooperatively in the university’s prospect management and tracking system to maintain alumni and donor records; in consultation with the Principal Director of Advancement for Health Academics and the Dean, submit an annual advancement work plan and budget to include goals, objectives, strategies, anticipated travel, metrics for fundraising, plans for professional development, and performance management goals; assess progress toward meeting short- and long-term goals quarterly; direct and lead specific fundraising strategies, reviewing and implementing changes when needed; identify high-capacity alumni and prospects in order to secure gifts; closely collaborate with academic and clinical Senior Directors and Directors of Advancement to establish funding priorities and develop proposals; and partner with University Advancement, College of Nursing Alumni Relations, College of Nursing’s Board of Advocates and Alumni Council, Legacy Giving, Corporate and Foundation Relations, Annual Giving, Donor Relations, and Prospect Management to create a robust advancement program
Team Leadership
The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will recruit, hire, train, and mentor College of Nursing Advancement and Alumni Relations team members in accordance with goals, priorities, and requirements; provide frequent opportunities for professional learning and growth, fostering retention to increase the team’s capacity and expertise; ensure accountability for team fundraising metrics; evaluate the performance of direct reports and help manage and evaluate indirect reports; and lead by example, foster a work environment that recognizes and rewards cross-functional collaboration and team-based efforts, celebrates achievements, and sets clear expectations for future success.
Leadership and College of Nursing Support
The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will build a strong relationship with the Dean, Academic Leadership Team (ALT), faculty, and staff leaders, and maintain a strong presence within the College; facilitate the participation of the Dean, alumni, clinicians, administrators, academic leaders, volunteers, and advancement staff in fundraising and stewardship activities; and liaise with volunteers who conduct fundraising activities on behalf of the College of Nursing.
Stewardship
The Director of Advancement, College of Nursing will in coordination with the Donor Relations team, prepare written proposals, endowment agreements, informational materials, and other cultivation and stewardship materials for prospects and donors; work with the Director of Donor Relations to coordinate stewardship plans for donors at the leadership gift level; seek appropriate training opportunities, including training necessary for proficiency in gift planning techniques, and partner with the Director of Legacy Giving as appropriate; train advancement staff, academic leaders, and volunteers regarding donor relations, philanthropic support, and fundraising best practices; ensure endowment reports are completed on time and research questions related to reporting accuracies; and monitor gift accounts, including endowed and expendable funds, to ensure execution in accordance with donor gift agreements.
Minimum Qualifications | Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Communication, Public Relations, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years or related work experiences). Six years 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 communications skills required.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the job’s essential functions as outlined in the position description.
Preferred Qualifications:Ideal candidates will have at least six years of experience with progressively more responsibility in higher education fundraising, with a strong preference for experience in academic medicine, with an emphasis on cultivating and soliciting major gifts.
Significant experience closing five and six-figure gifts.
Demonstrated increase in fundraising responsibilities and/or management experience.
Demonstrated ability to establish, cultivate, and steward meaningful relationships with donors.
Management experience, demonstrated interpersonal skills, background knowledge of fundraising best practices, alumni relations, copywriting, editing, event planning, and interviewing/reporting experience are highly favored.
Experience in grant or proposal writing, public speaking, and a background working with print and/or electronic media.
Superlative interpersonal skills with a demonstrated 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 multi-faceted campaign planning, implementation, and management.
This position is not responsible for providing patient care. This position is patient-sensitive and must fulfill all associated requirements.
Knowledge of corporate and foundation fundraising and gift planning vehicles.
Preferences |
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/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Do you have a Bachelor's degree or equivalency? (2 years related work experience may be substituted for 1 year of education)
- Yes
- No
- * How many years of related work experience do you have?
- Less than 1 year
- 1 year
- 2 years
- 3 years
- 4 years
- 5 years
- 6 years
- 7 years
- 8 years
- 9 years
- 10 years
- 11 years
- 12 years
- more than 12 years
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Optional Documents
- Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only
- Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only
- List of References
University Human Resource Management
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: (801) 581-2169 By Email: employment@utah.edu
250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Contact us: (801) 581-2169 By Email: employment@utah.edu
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