Assistant Director of Events & Stewardship
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Assistant Director of Events and Stewardship, College of Music. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, the Assistant Director of Events and Stewardship is responsible for overseeing all NLHCOM advancement events, advancement processes and procedures, and manage the stewardship of the Dean’s Society and Director’s Society.
The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Assistant Director of Events and Stewardship, College of Music. Reporting to the Senior Director of Advancement, the Assistant Director of Events and Stewardship is responsible for overseeing all NLHCOM advancement events, advancement processes and procedures, and manage the stewardship of the Dean’s Society and Director’s Society.
Required Education and Experience
The candidate who fills the Assistant Director of Events and Stewardship position is required to have:
Bachelor’s degree
5+ years of relevant experience in alumni affairs, donor relations, event oversight or related experience
The ideal candidate would have the ability to propose new and better solutions to existing processes/procedures
Ability to deal effectively with a variety of personalities and positions
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals within the College and University, as well as individuals in public agencies and organizations
Ability to carry out complex oral and written instructions and be able to work independently, with guidelines set by the Senior Director of Advancement and Dean, with minimal supervisors
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 3 years of experience.
Preferred Education and Experience
In addition to meeting the required qualifications, the preferred candidate will have:
Master’s degree
Ability to carry out complex oral and written instructions and be able to work independently, with guidelines set by the Senior Director of Advancement and Dean, with minimal supervision.
Strong project management skills with proven ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before January 5, 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: February 2026
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 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.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Directing Events: Play the lead in several high- visibility Advancement events for the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. These events include but are not limited to the Donor Recognition and Reception Recital, the annual Gala, Band Family Day, advisory board functions and other key stakeholders activities. Collaborate with the Senior Director of Advancement to manage the Board of Advisors, Band Alumni Council, and Board of Visitors including meeting attendance, meeting preparation and follow-up, meeting venue logistical arrangements, and overall volunteer management.
Stewardship: Coordinating NLHCOM stewardship activities in collaboration with the Senior Director of Advancement including facilitating student thank you notes, endowment reports (in consultation with Advancement’s Donor Experience Team). Track individualized stewardship plans for the college’s most significant relationships and ensure adequate steps are being taken to properly steward top donors. Serve as the lead staff member for the Dean’s Society and Director’s Society. These responsibilities include (but are not limited to) developing a thank you process, birthday and life event recognition process, collaborating to maintain the NHLCOM friends and associates listing, and creating an exclusive donor experience for all society members.
Advancement Operations: Create and execute game day cultivation and stewardship experience for the NLHCOM top donors and prospect donors. Provide an opportunity for the creation of new processes and procedures for strategic collaboration between the advancement team with all other teams in the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music and other units across campus. Oversee core functions of the daily office operations (customer service, contact for colleagues in college and advancement representing the NLHCOM advancement team.
Administration: Facilitate the Senior Director of Advancement ability to focus on donor and prospective donor relationships. Key success factors for this include (but are not limited to) producing major gift proposals, managing data entry in the Foundation’s CRM, producing donor bios for university leaders in advance of athletic events or key university functions, processing expenses and receipts related too donor visits.