UTC is a community engaged university located in Chattanooga, TN, a renaissance city of over 580,000 that has gained international attention for its total transformation over the past two decades. It features a renovated downtown and riverfront community with an expansive offering of outdoor, cultural, and community activities. Its economic base has been revamped to include a mixture of innovative technology, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare employers, a growing number of public and private partnerships, and a vibrant start-up and entrepreneurial culture. Our community boasts the fastest internet speed and connectivity in the nation, offers an excellent quality of life, and provides an attractive and affordable cost of living.
Position Overview
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), University of Chattanooga Foundation (UCF), and the University of Tennessee Foundation (UTFI), are seeking nominations and applications for the position of Vice Chancellor for Advancement and Executive Director of the UC Foundation. This position will report jointly to the Chancellor of UTC, the UC Foundation Board Chair, and to the University’s System Vice President for Development and Alumni Affairs.
About UT Chattanooga
UTC is a community engaged university located in Chattanooga, TN, a renaissance city of over 580,000 that has gained international attention for its total transformation over the past two decades. It features a renovated downtown and riverfront community with an expansive offering of outdoor, cultural, and community activities. Its economic base has been revamped to include a mixture of innovative technology, logistics, manufacturing, and healthcare employers, a growing number of public and private partnerships, and a vibrant start-up and entrepreneurial culture. Our community boasts the fastest internet speed and connectivity in the nation, offers an excellent quality of life, and provides an attractive and affordable cost of living.
With a compelling and updated strategic plan, UTC is poised to move into a major fundraising campaign with an engaged Foundation Board, an energized Advancement and Foundation team, and a cogent case for support. UTC is a member of the University of Tennessee System and serves a diverse student body of 11,834 undergraduate and graduate students with a goal of 15,000 students by the end of the decade. The vibrant downtown campus currently has over $414 million in funded facilities projects.
The four academic colleges and the Graduate School of the University offer 48 baccalaureate degrees with 118 program concentrations; 25 graduate certificate programs; 23 master's programs with 49 program concentrations, an education specialist program with 3 program concentrations, and 6 doctoral degrees with 11 program concentrations. Two additional units are led by deans: the Honors College and Library. UTC has ten Chairs of Excellence, an array of endowed professorships, along with a companion PhD program. The University’s Division-1 athletics program has been strengthened measurably over the past several years, producing positive results for all involved.
About the University of Chattanooga Foundation
The University of Chattanooga Foundation is led by an outstanding group of committed community and UTC alumni leaders. With total assets in excess of $350 million, the Foundation supports student scholarships, professorships, faculty development, residential life, and special enrichment projects throughout the University. The next Vice Chancellor and Executive Director will be tasked with implementing a successful multi-year, comprehensive campaign, building upon today’s growing program productivity, expanding the strong collaboration between the Foundation and the University, and enhancing an advancement strategy that will support the growing needs of UTC.
Qualities and Qualifications
Education:
The candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree in a recognized academic discipline, with a master’s or higher degree being highly preferred. Higher education experience and community leadership experience are preferred, but not required.
Knowledge, Experiences, and Abilities:
• An understanding of Foundation operations and their interrelationships with a University partner. Has the ability to navigate the relationships among the three governing bodies.
• Demonstrated success with strengthening an Advancement program, formulating a comprehensive development strategy, and leading and motivating a team of professionals to achieve stated goals and performance metrics.
• Demonstrated success with planning and implementing multi-year campaigns and fundraising initiatives.
• An executive leadership presence with proven networking capabilities and strong communication skills. Can infuse an audience with enthusiasm as well as authentically connect with individuals.
• An established track record of personally engaging a portfolio of major gifts donors. Has experience with developing, structuring, and securing significant charitable gifts.
• Can identify economic development opportunities and gain credibility with and confidence of business executives.
• Possesses unquestioned ethics and personal and professional integrity.
Compensation
Compensation for the position will be competitive with generous bonus potential. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, and supportive career and family benefits. Additionally, Tennessee residents do not pay a state income tax.
Salary Range
$250,000 - 300,000
How To Apply
Application and Nomination Process
Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2024, and continue until an appointment is made. Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration.
Application materials must include:
1) a letter of interest, which addresses the applicant's qualifications for, and interest in, the position;
2) a current resume;
3) the names, email and business addresses, and telephone numbers of at least five references.
Vice Chancellor for Advancement and
Executive Director of the University of Chattanooga Foundation
Nominations of qualified individuals are welcomed. Individuals wishing to nominate candidates for the position should submit the individual’s name and institution to the contact below by October 25, 2024. Additional nomination information, including contact information and comments, is welcomed, but not required.
Applications and nominations may be sent to:
Pam Spencer
Senior Consultant, Gonser Gerber LLP
[email protected]
