Principal Advancement Director
: Job Details :

Monday – Friday 8am-5pm, Hybrid work environment but in-office work will be required.

VP Area

VP Area President

Department

Department 00289 - Development

Location

Location Campus

City

City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range

Pay Rate Range 120000 to 150000

Close Date

Close Date 10/17/2025

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)

Job Summary

University Advancement at the University of Utah is seeking an experienced, strategic, and creative leader to serve as the Senior Director of Stewardship. This role is a key member of the Donor Relations team and plays a central part in fostering meaningful, lasting relationships between the University and its donors.

As the architect of a comprehensive, campus-wide stewardship program, the Senior Director will lead efforts to enhance donor satisfaction, retention, and engagement. The role collaborates closely with university leadership and university advancement senior leaders to align stewardship strategies with institutional priorities and fundraising goals.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in donor relations, a data-informed approach to strategy, and a passion for building sustainable, donor-centered programs. This position also plays a leadership role in shaping the donor experience at the University of Utah—ensuring that every donor feels appreciated and understands the impact of their giving. The candidate must be excited by strategically developing stewardship, compliance, and recognition programs in collaboration with donor relations team members and cross-functionally with fundraising teams.

Responsible for managing the teams responsible for gift acknowledgment, gift agreements, gift compliance, gift recognition, and campus stewardship.

Responsibilities

Stewardship

• Design and lead a scalable, university-wide stewardship program that ensures timely, personalized donor engagement and equips colleges and departments with tools and guidance for effective stewardship.
• Advance a comprehensive donor relations strategy through acknowledgments, impact reports, and recognition materials that communicate the value of giving.
• Collaborate with development officers, academic units, and campus partners to align stewardship with donor intent and institutional priorities.
• Manage donor recognition programs, including giving societies and milestone honors.
• Promote a culture of ethical stewardship, transparency, and accountability.
• Implement systems to track stewardship activities, monitor outcomes, and evaluate effectiveness.
• Supervise and mentor a stewardship team, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Gift Agreements and Compliance

• Lead a university-wide donor relations compliance program aligned with institutional policies, donor intent, and legal standards.
• Collaborate with Advancement Services, OGC , and Income Accounting to ensure accurate gift documentation and execution, balancing donor expectations with institutional integrity.
• Standardize protocols for acknowledgments, impact reporting, and stewardship fulfillment across all units.
• Maintain a centralized system to track compliance, reporting timelines, and fund beneficiaries.
• Conduct audits and risk assessments to ensure adherence to donor intent and institutional standards.
• Serve as the primary advisor on donor compliance for senior leadership and campus partners.
• Develop training and resources on compliance best practices and evolving regulations.
• Monitor regulatory changes (e.g., CASE standards) and update policies accordingly.

Recognition

• Advance a university-wide donor recognition program for physical spaces, including buildings, rooms, and outdoor areas.
• Collaborate to develop policies for signage, naming approvals, and installation standards in collaboration with Campus Planning and Facilities, Mar/Comm, and donor relations.
• Ensure that the inventory and tracking system for all named spaces and physical recognition elements are working effectively for the team and campus partners.
• Ensure recognition aligns with donor intent, university branding, and accessibility standards.

Leadership & Team Management

• Set direction and priorities for a team of professionals and support staff.
• Foster a high-performance, innovative, and collaborative team culture.
• Mentor and develop staff, emphasizing growth and retention.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's Degree or equivalent experience (One year of education is equivalent to two years of experience).
• Six years of related experience.

Preferences

Proven experience in donor relations, stewardship, or advancement leadership.

Strong strategic planning, project management, and analytical skills.

Exceptional communication and relationship-building abilities.

Experience managing teams and cross-functional collaboration.

Familiarity with CRM systems and data-informed decision-making.

Type

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) ###-#### 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) ###-#### or (800) ###-#### or University Human Resource Management at (801) ###-#### 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 patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. 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.The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and 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 Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a Master's degree or equivalency? (2 years related work experience may be substituted for 1 year of education)
  • Yes
  • No
• * How many years of related work experience do you have?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 year
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
  • 8 years
  • 9 years
  • 10 years
  • 11 years
  • 12 years
  • more than 12 years

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter

List of References

Optional Documents

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Document Description for More Information – Addendum to the University of Utah – Veteran Only

Historical Only – Do Not Use – See Description for More Information – Appropriate discharge document (such as DD-2214) – Veteran Only

University Human Resource Management250 East 200 South, Suite 125 Salt Lake City, UT 84111Contact us: (801) ###-#### By Email: ...@utah.edu

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