Senior Director of Foundation Events (Hybrid)

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 Husky Nation and help us drive our mission and UConn into the future. 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.

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 Senior Director of Foundation Events will provide leadership and expertise in the planning and implementation of alumni and donor events. The Senior Director will develop and implement a global annual events strategy in alignment with Foundation and University goals and priorities while managing the Foundation Events team and overseeing the day-to-day operations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a robust and fully integrated events strategy, including local, national, and international events for advancement efforts.

• Oversee the daily operations of the Foundation Events team, including annual planning and goal setting, program development and expenditures, personnel management and overseeing the progress of specific programs.

• Work collaboratively across the organization to ensure a cohesive and thorough approach.

• Provide leadership in the planning and execution of campus-wide special events, Foundation events, and major organizational initiatives. These may include campaign events, presidential launch, gift announcements, fundraisers, reunions, donor appreciation events, and Athletics fan engagement.

• Collaborate with colleagues in development and alumni relations to maximize potential for alumni engagement, as well as to meet fundraising goals and objectives.

• Provide leadership for events and activities related to donor recognition, stewardship, and/or cultivation.

• Collaborate throughout the Foundation and the University to promote advancement opportunities and priority messages at institutional events.

• Manage, implement, and review the Foundation's event policies.

• Establish and manage format for systematic event follow-up to ensure continued cultivation/solicitation connections with prospects.

• Work with the Advancement Services team to develop event related systems and align these systems to support Foundation events.

• Develop a benchmarking program and provide reports on program success, event participation and financial reports to share with the Senior Associate Vice President annually.

• Propose and actively oversee the budget for events. Work with and at times negotiate with vendors.

• Provide leadership for direct reports and establish well-defined, measurable goals for team members.

• Other duties as assigned.

Engagement

Collaborate with your department and other stakeholders to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support Foundation events.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as department meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Key Competencies

• Champion for inclusion and diversity both internally and externally.

• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate priorities and to positively represent the University and Foundation.

• Demonstrate experience in program planning implementation and evaluation.

• Well organized, creative, with a high level of integrity, initiative and the ability to work in a professional environment with a strong orientation to teamwork.

• Ability to work strategically and independently to successfully envision, develop, and implement a comprehensive program, while demonstrating an understanding of organizational awareness.

• Ability to engender goodwill among colleagues to implement collaborative approach to alumni and donor stewardship and engagement.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies, excellent interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy. Including working with senior administrators.

• Proficient with customer relations management databases (CRM), event management software (i.e. Stova), and affiliate reporting and management tools, along with how to use social networking as a marketing tool.

• Proven ability to manage and execute multiple events of any size up to large scale at any one time.

• Demonstrates the ability to manage, train, motivate and coach people effectively within team.

• Willingness to work flexible hours (evenings and/or weekends) and travel by air when necessary to attend events.

• Requires lifting up to 25 pounds, moving equipment and the ability to move a rolling cart.

• Ability to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.

• Must possess a valid driver's license issued from state in which employee resides. Employee must maintain at their expense, automobile liability insurance coverage in the minimum amount of $500,000 or a combination of umbrella and automobile liability insurance coverage of $500,000. A certificate of automobile insurance evidencing the limit, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 7+ years' experience in event planning, specifically large-scale events in multiple venues

• Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems/CRM.

• 5+ years supervisory experience.

Salary:

The expected salary for this position is $100,000+. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b)-retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

Please inform a Human Resources Representative if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.