Assistant Director of Portfolio Strategy & Solutions

Job Description

The University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc (UTFI) invites applications and nominations to fill the position of Assistant Director of Portfolio Strategy and Solutions. Reporting to the Executive Director of Portfolio Strategy and Solutions, the Assistant Director of Portfolio Strategy and Solutions is responsible for advancing the University of Tennessee Foundation's fundraising effectiveness by strengthening prospect development strategy, operations, and governance across UTFI advancement.


Working in close partnership with Portfolio Strategies & Solutions leadership, the position provides project management for high-level prospect and portfolio strategies, ensuring alignment between prospect development practices and fundraising priorities.

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:


Project Management and Process Coordination: Leads and coordinates Portfolio Strategy & Solutions team projects that support major and principal giving strategies, ensuring initiatives are clearly scoped, documented, assigned and executed in alignment with Portfolio Strategies & Solutions priorities. Manages workflows, timelines, and key decision points to promote consistency, efficiency, and measurable outcomes.


System Wide Training and Portfolio Solutions: In partnership with Portfolio Strategy & Solutions Leadership, designs, creates supporting resources, and coordinates enterprise wide training and portfolio solutions that strengthen prospect development practices across UTFI Advancement. Supports the adoption of shared tools, standards, and methodologies related to portfolio construction, prospect movement, and strategy execution, enabling fundraisers and advancement partners to achieve system level results.


Enterprise Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborates with advancement services, fundraising leadership, and campus-based colleagues to align prospect development practices with institutional priorities. Serves as a connector across teams to ensure shared understanding of processes, roles, and expectations related to prospect strategy, portfolio management, and data inputs.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience


The candidate who fills the Assistant Director of Portfolio Strategy and Solutions position is required to have:

• Bachelor's degree

• 2+ years of professional experience related to or similar to higher education development, fundraising, alumni engagement, training and project management

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.


Preferred Education and Experience


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

• Master's degree

• Excellent written and verbal communication

• Experience in higher education

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before June 25th 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 View email address on click.appcast.io.


Target Start Date: August 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 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.