Associate Director

The University of Connecticut is a top-ranked national university and health-system with its flagship campus located in idyllic Storrs. Designated a Carnegie Research 1 institution, UConn is the state land and sea-grant university focused on education, research, and service to the state of Connecticut and beyond. The University serves over 33,000 students across seven campuses, 8,550 first-in-family students, and boasts numerous national championships. UConn Health is a top-ranked health provider that delivers groundbreaking medical education, research, and hospital and clinical services to over one million patients each year. In addition, UConn has nearly 300 scientists who are in the top 2 percent of researchers investigating everything from cancer to AI. UConn continues its meteoric rise as a top public University with a record number of applications, continued investment in student success, health, and wellness, recruitment of top faculty, innovation in research, and top-tier athletic programs focused on the health and financial literacy of student‑athletes. This includes the men’s and women’s basketball teams, which have brought home three consecutive NCAA National Championship trophies in the last three years. UConn is proud to have 26 national championships across all sports. Guided by the public launch of our most ambitious campaign in history, Because of UConn The Campaign for UConn Nation, we are moving boldly into the future. The $1.5B comprehensive campaign spans all schools, colleges, campuses and UConn Health and focuses on four pillars designed to make education more affordable and elevate UConn among its national peers. Students First: making transformative investments in financial aid, student health, career readiness, and life skills to improve time-to-degree and career outcomes. Academic & Innovation Excellence: driving investment in top faculty and graduate fellows and building the innovation ecosystem of the state and beyond. Health & Wellness of People & Planet: focusing on patient care, medical research, and development of life-changing technologies that improve healthcare outcomes. Husky Pride: investing in athletic excellence and supporting a thriving UConn Nation that includes more than 290,000 alumni worldwide. Because of UConn will have a profound impact on the University. It will double the number of named scholarships, fund scientific breakthroughs and advanced lifesaving therapies, and engage UConn Nation in the life and mission of the University like never before. We seek the top talent in the country to join The UConn Foundation and help us drive UConn into the future. Our mission is to connect people to the University of Connecticut, growing philanthropy, engaging a thriving alumni and donor community, and building a robust endowment to strategically advance UConn and UConn Health’s educational, research, and service missions. We are committed to a caring and supportive work culture, professional and leadership development, and flexibility for high achievers with a passion for higher education. We’re looking for dedicated professionals to drive success and excellence and exemplify our values of Purpose, Excellence, Culture, Communication and Integrity. The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We celebrate different perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that values your unique experiences and identity. As an organization, we strive for continued growth each and every day. Position Summary The Associate Director of Donor Recognition leads and evolves UConn’s donor recognition and experience strategy, ensuring donors feel deeply valued, connected, and inspired by the impact of their philanthropy. This role shapes and delivers recognition societies, engagement moments, communications, and experiences that strengthen donor relationships across the lifecycle and advance institutional priorities. The Associate Director develops strategic approaches to recognition, translates donor insights into actionable recommendations, and collaborates closely with Foundation colleagues and University partners to deliver consistent, meaningful, and high-quality donor experiences at every level of giving. Primary Responsibilities Lead cross-functional projects that shape donor recognition and engagement strategy, translating donor insights and institutional priorities into clear recommendations, plans, and outcomes for Foundation and University leadership. Lead donor recognition societies and experience‑based initiatives across the donor lifecycle, coordinating communications, engagement touchpoints, and moments of celebration in collaboration with Donor Relations & Stewardship, Development, Alumni Relations, Events, Digital Engagement & Annual Giving, and Creative Content & Communication teams. Develop and implement strategic approaches that reflect donor preferences, infuse joy, and celebrate their impact on UConn. Create and deliver communications and experiences that provide donors with insider knowledge, access, and experiences that deepen long‑term donor relationships and reinforce donors’ connection to impact, outcomes, and institutional vision. Shape recognition and acknowledgment for major gift and VIP donors and partner with annual giving stewardship to ensure timely and meaningful recognition. Engage endowed faculty through recognition, communication, and training, facilitating connections between donors and beneficiaries and evaluating the relationship for both faculty and donors. Monitor Board of Trustees meetings and serve as liaison with the Office of the Provost and academic units. Apply creative strategies and emerging technologies to enhance donor recognition and experience, leveraging data insights to make strategic recommendations and decisions. Set standards for consistent data capture for acknowledgement, recognition, and engagement, and synthesize insights into clear recommendations, briefings, and storytelling that inform leadership decision‑making and cross‑team strategy. Coordinate recruitment, onboarding, and provide management for Donor Relations & Stewardship student assistants. Represent Donor Relations & Stewardship as a liaison with other Foundation teams and University partners. Anticipate and propose opportunities to strategically integrate donor experience and recognition in support of organizational goals. Perform other duties as assigned. Engagement Collaborate with Donor Relations & Stewardship team members, Creative Content & Communication, cross‑functional stewardship, Digital Engagement, Alumni & Events, and Development colleagues, to steward donors, celebrate and recognize their contributions, convey the impact of their support, and support initiatives specific to the department. Leadership Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization‑wide activities such as departmental meetings, all‑staff meetings, and staff events. Guide recognition, celebration, and impact delivery by collaborating with cross‑departmental partners, sharing donor insights, and advising colleagues and leaders on opportunities to strengthen the donor experience. #J-18808-Ljbffr