Development Specialist

Announcement

Details


Open Date
08/12/2026


Requisition Number
PRN45906B


Job Title
Development Specialist


Working Title
Development Specialist - Event Program Coordinator


Career Progression Track
D


Track Level

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


Normal working schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The position requires flexibility to work outside of normal business hours, including required early-morning Saturday training sessions from November through June, Saturday events, and occasional evening event hours.

This is currently a hybrid position, subject to change at any time. The typical schedule is remote on Mondays and Fridays (work from home), with the expectation of working onsite when needed and onsite in the office Tuesday through Thursday

VP Area
President


Department
01146 - Huntsman Cancer Foundation


Location
Other


City
Salt Lake City, UT


Type of Recruitment
External Posting


Pay Rate Range
48000 to 60000


Close Date
09/15/2026


Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
09/30/2026


Job Summary

Huntsman Cancer Foundation Overview

The mission of Huntsman Cancer Foundation (HCF) is to raise funds to support the mission of Huntsman Cancer Institute. Together, their overarching goal is to understand cancer from its beginnings, use that knowledge to create and improve cancer treatments, relieve the suffering of patients, and provide education about cancer risk, prevention, and care.

Position Overview

Development Specialist - Events and Special Projects: This position serves as a public face and community outreach arm for Huntsman Cancer Foundation. This role facilitates advancements in cancer research by planning, coordinating, and organizing high-impact fundraising events and community activities. A primary focus of this position is growing, sustaining, and supporting the Huntsman Heroes running and cycling teams through year-round athlete engagement, targeted recruitment, and support through each training season. The ideal candidate is a creative, solution-oriented team player, who is highly self-motivated and organized. They excel at building relationships with participants, donors, volunteers, and sponsors in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Huntsman Heroes Team Growth & Sports Event Management
Program Growth:

• Support the strategic growth, participant recruitment, and program development of the Huntsman Heroes team and associated partnering events.
• Partner with running ambassadors and coaches to promote the team at year-round events, schedule and host lunch-and-learns with local companies, and expand community outreach. Create and manage a volunteer support team to assist in this effort.
• Work directly with team coaches to establish the official schedule for coaches and volunteers throughout the season.

Huntsman Heroes Stewardship: Communicate regularly with running team members regarding their fundraising status, milestones reached, jersey and incentive options, and race day details.

Athlete Support & Training: Attend weekly Saturday running and cycling training sessions (November through June) to provide logistical and motivational support to athletes and fundraisers. Create and manage a volunteer support team to assist in this effort.

Incentives & Branding: Collaborate on the selection and design of fundraising incentives, team jerseys, and event merchandise.


Event Production & Logistics

End-to-End Execution: Coordinate day-of logistics for multiple assigned event tasks (including the Gala, Huntsman Cancer Foundation SportsFest, and special projects). Oversee set-up, registration, course layouts, run-of-show scripts, troubleshooting, and clean-up.

Volunteer Coordination: Recruit, train, schedule, and manage event volunteers and committees to ensure seamless operations.

Financial Tracking: Assist in creating and tracking event timelines, expense budgets, and revenue records for all assigned events.


Community Outreach:

Growth: Always be on the lookout for a potential participant, event sponsor, donor, or volunteer. Work with the members of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation team on how best to place individuals as a Huntsman Cancer Foundation supporter.


Stewardship:

Community & Third-Party Events: Provide stewardship and public relations support for independent, community-driven fundraising initiatives.

Tours and Presentations: Provide tours of Huntsman Cancer Institute to audiences of all sizes, effectively communicating the organization's mission and the meaningful ways donor and fundraising support contributes to its work.

Data Integrity:

Data Input: Maintain accurate records of all donor interactions, gift processing, processed transactions, and participant data within the foundation database.

Tracking Metrics: Continuously work towards metrics in order to track success, opportunities, and weaknesses among programs.

Marketing & Communications

Campaign & Content Creation: Write and design training-focused emails, update fundraising toolkits, establish event collateral needed, and author regular Huntsman Heroes social media and/or blog posts.

Digital Marketing Support: Support team messaging for external digital marketing efforts, helping execute organic and paid social media campaigns, Google ads, and digital billboard advertisements.

Storytelling & Media: Identify compelling participant stories to share across media outlets, blogs, and social platforms. Coordinate shot lists for event photographers and videographers during Huntsman Heroes events.

Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required

Nearly Continuously: Office environment.

Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required

Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.

Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking, bending, reaching overhead, physical abilities to move and lift boxes.

Minimum Qualifications


Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); and demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills required. Experience which includes fundraising, grant and publication writing, planning and implementing special events and programs and a successful track record in raising donations is preferred.

Preferences

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience: 1-2 years of experience in non-profit event planning, fundraising, peer-to-peer athletic event coordination, hospitality, customer success, or a related field.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite. Experience with donor databases (e.g., Raiser's Edge), mobile auction/event platforms (e.g., GiveSmart, Goat Events), social media, and website backend maintenance is a plus.
• Schedule: Ability to work flexible hours, including required early morning Saturday training sessions from November through June, Saturday events and occasional evening event hours.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional customer service, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with a proven ability to prioritize workloads, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to philanthropy ethics codes and patient privacy standards.
• Demonstrate strength in relationship management.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• A collaborative team player who can operate independently with minimal direction, while actively bringing issues to the larger team to find the best collaborative solutions.

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 View phone number on click.appcast.io 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io or University Human Resource Management at View phone number on click.appcast.io 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 per University 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.