Director Leadership Development Jobs in Windham, CT

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 — 8,550 of them first in family — across seven campuses, with a legacy of 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 globally advancing discoveries in fields ranging 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 holistic success of student-athletes. UConn is proud to have 26 national championships across all sports. 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. 

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, focusing 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. 

The campaign will have a profound impact on the University, doubling the number of named scholarships, funding scientific breakthroughs and advanced lifesaving therapies, and engaging 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 our mission 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 Director of Development is a frontline major gift officer responsible for driving philanthropic support for UConn Health Sciences aligned with campaign priorities. This role manages a robust leadership and major gift portfolio—with a particular emphasis on the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Working closely with leadership and Foundation colleagues, the Director secures philanthropic investments that advance the priorities of UConn’s Health Sciences department. The Director plays a critical role in strengthening donor relationships, expanding the major gift pipeline, and increasing overall philanthropic support for high-priority initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of 75–100 prospects rated at $100K+.
• Raise $2M–$5M annualy in support of UConn’s Health Sciences.
• Conduct 20–40 qualification meetings at the $100K+ level; 15+ solicitations at $100K+; and 100+ meaningful, face-to-face meetings each year.
• Develop and execute innovative strategies to cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects.
• Prepare compelling donor proposals and case materials tailored to Health Sciences priorities.
• Collaborate with UConn Health development, alumni relations, and central Foundation teams to ensure alignment with institutional fundraising strategies.
• Conduct all fundraising activities in full compliance with Foundation policy, HIPAA regulations, and patient privacy requirements.
• Partner with Foundation advancement leadership, Deans, and other stakeholders to develop move-management plans for prospects and advance donor relationships.
• Contribute to a metric-driven fundraising environment by meeting or exceeding activity and revenue goals.
• Identify and support clear fundraising priorities for Health Sciences within the campaign, crafting compelling cases to advance these initiatives.
• Work with Prospect Management to assign portfolios, analyze pipeline health, track progress, complete quarterly reports, and recommend operational improvements to enhance donor engagement.
• Build relationships with donors, volunteers, and Health Science partners to identify new prospects with philanthropic potential.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of fundraising activity and donor strategies in the CRM; follow all Foundation processes and policies.
• Model the Foundation’s values in all professional interactions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Major, Leadership, and Principal Gift Fundraising

Demonstrate the ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and above, while advancing the number and quality of principal ($5 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team.

Potential Donor Discovery

Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success.

Engagement

Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit. 

Leadership

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

Key Competencies

• Champion for inclusive priorities both internally and externally.
• High level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
• Familiar with the use of computers and information management tools, such as CRMs (Blackbaud).
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information; ability to represent the UConn Foundation to prospects, donors, faculty, administrators, and others.
• Ability to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.
• Attention to and concern for others.
• Must be willing to travel extensively. Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
• Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state in which the employee resides. Employees must maintain, at their expense, at least $300,000 in total automobile and/or umbrella liability coverage of $300,000. Coverage of $500,000 is preferred. Proof of the required coverage must be provided at hire and annually thereafter.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred.
• 5+ years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferable skills.
• Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $115,000. 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 contact an Employee Support & Experience team member if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.