Gift Planning Coordinator

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 University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been advancing knowledge and enriching lives since its founding in 1794. Tennessee’s flagship public research university, UT Knoxville is a diverse community whose shared commitment to discovery, creativity, and education combines with a tradition of service and engagement to carry the Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. UT’s campus—home to more than 36,000 students and 9,000 faculty and staff members—is part of the vibrant city of Knoxville, located on the Tennessee River with the Great Smoky Mountains nearby. 

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 12 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 

This role will primarily collaborate with Knoxville campus Advancement personnel across the Annual Giving and Communications and Donor Experience (CDE) teams and with the Central Services Office. Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Office Operations: Assist with the administrative processes of record keeping, gift tracking, and of realizing bequests. Assist with the implementation of marketing and stewardship strategies and projects, serving as a point of contact for both the Annual Giving and Communications and Donor Experience (CDE) teams pertaining to projects. Interact with, and provide information to, Advancement units and/or Vendors to keep digital and print Gift Planning resources current. Monitor the status of corporate resolution documents and other documents required to receive charitable bequests, including initiating refreshed documents for current use when requested. 
• Customer Service and Data Quality: Serve as the “front desk” for the Office of Gift Planning in terms of receiving incoming phone calls, emails, and mail intended for the office at large. Synthesize and distribute leads garnered via email, phone, or the website to the appropriate Gift Planning Officer and help with follow up. Perform periodic data integrity checks to ensure transactions routing through Gift Planning are processed and allocated correctly. 
• Special Events and Other Duties as Assigned: Assist in the planning and execution of events involving the Office of Gift Planning. Assist in planning, staffing, and execution of special events both on and off campus. Assist in hosting Alumni and friends on campus, including providing tours. Occasional evening and weekend work will be necessary.  

Required Education and Experience 

The candidate who fills the Gift Planning Coordinator position is required to have: 

• Associate degree 
• 1+ year of experience working in a professional business setting 
• Customer service mindset and skillset for constituents both internal and external to the organization  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

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: 

• Bachelor’s degree 
• 2+ years of experience working in higher education, nonprofit environment, or business environment 
• Detail oriented with exceptional phone, interpersonal, and written communication skills 
• Project Management experience 
• Prior experience with the creation of direct mail, email, newsletters, standardized and ad-hoc reports and presentations 
• Current of former Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) credential 
• Prior usage of Customer Relationship Management system such as Salesforce 

Application Process: Priority will be given to applications received on or before September 10, 2025, 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 hr@utfi.org.  

Target Start Date: Fall 2025