Director of Development

Details

Open Date 10/08/2026

Requisition Number PRN46447B

Job Title Development Management

Working Title Director of Development

Career Progression Track M00

Track Level M6 - Director

FLSA Code Administrative

Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40

Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift Day

Work Schedule Summary

Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with appointments, including travel, outside of those hours (as needed). The job duties of a development professional are predominately performed in an in-office/in-person work environment. Due to the nature of donor engagement this role may also include some evenings and weekends, especially when the college is hosting events.

VP Area President

Department 00289 - Development

Location Campus

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range $93,000 – $100,000

Close Date 01/01/2027

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 10/20/2026

Job Summary

Reporting to the Senior Advancement Director, the Director of Development Management is focused on major gift acquisition. responsible for identifying, cultivating, and soliciting high-net-worth individuals to secure significant financial donations for the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences ( LAS ); includes managing a portfolio of major donor prospects through a strategic cultivation process, and ensuring ongoing stewardship of these donors through personalized communication and engagement to secure large-scale gifts, often in five, six, and seven-figure range; requiring extensive relationship building, in-depth prospect research, and tailored solicitation strategies.

As a member of the University Advancement division the Director of Development Management is expected to support and live out the division’s Core Values of Collaboration, Belonging, Empowerment, and Integrity.

Please note, the posted salary range reflects the compensation range within which we will make an offer. Offers are determined based on qualifications, skills, and experience. Placement at the top of the range is reserved for candidates who demonstrate exceptional qualifications and experience directly aligned with the role.

Responsibilities

1. Donor identification, cultivation and solicitation (75%):

• Working with the Prospect Research team, actively research and identify a portfolio (75 prospects) of potential major donors with the capacity to make substantial gifts, assessing their philanthropic interests and giving history

• Craft compelling proposals, effectively present the organization’s mission and needs to potential donors and strategically solicit significant gifts.

• Develop and maintain strong personal relationships with major donors through regular communication, in-person meetings, and personalized outreach strategies.

2. Collaboration with stakeholders ( 5%):

• Work closely with Advancement colleagues to present and support the fundraising priorities of the Dean, college, and university

• Collaborate with faculty, other development team members, board members, and program staff to align fundraising strategies with university and unit priorities.

3. Portfolio management (5%):

• Working with the Prospect Management team, actively manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, tracking progress through a the UNITE system, and prioritizing cultivation and solicitation efforts based on donor potential.

4. Donor stewardship (10%):

• Provide ongoing updates and reports to donors on how their contributions are being used, acknowledge gifts appropriately, and maintain a high level of donor engagement.

5. Other duties as assigned at the direction of the Senior Advancement Director (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Director, Development Management: Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 12 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related work experience.

• Strong human relations and excellent communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

• High ethical standards, discretion, and confidentiality in working personal or private information.

Preferences

• Bachelor’s degree with in business, communication, public relations, science, social or behavioral science, humanities or a related area.

• Successful frontline fundraising experience working at the major gift level ($50k) or above in higher education or the non-profit sector.

• Experience with CRM -style database.

• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and on a team, always showing respect for the wide variety of constituencies within and outside of the university. Ability to engender trust and establish actionable consensus among these constituencies.

• Great organizational skills, a calm head and a great sense of humor are a plus.

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills, sound reasoning, and great personal and professional integrity.

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 possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

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.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah 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 Title IX ( OEO ). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the:University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.

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As perUniversity of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.