Director Of Development Operations Jobs in Alaska

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is seeking a strategic and relationship-driven advancement leader to serve as Executive Director of Development, reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Advancement. This role leads and integrates all fundraising programs-including Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, and Donor Relations-to advance UAA's philanthropic impact. The successful candidate will partner closely with university leadership, including the Chancellor, to cultivate major donors, drive comprehensive fundraising strategies, and strengthen UAA's role as a leading public university serving Alaska's communities.
If you are a visionary advancement leader ready to elevate philanthropy and make a lasting difference, we invite you to apply.
Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the Director of Development serves as the senior leader responsible for advancing the University of Alaska Anchorage's (UAA) comprehensive philanthropic strategy. This position leads and integrates all aspects of development-including Major Gifts, Annual Giving, Planned Giving, and Donor Relations-to drive significant philanthropic investment in support of UAA's students, faculty, and programs. The role partners closely with the Chancellor, University Advancement leadership, and campus and statewide stakeholders to cultivate high-impact donor relationships, shape institutional priorities, and strengthen UAA's position as a leading public university serving Alaska.
The University of Alaska Anchorage is Alaska's largest university, serving a student population across Anchorage and community campuses throughout Southcentral Alaska. UAA is a hub for academic innovation, workforce development, and community engagement, committed to student success, research, and meeting the unique needs of Alaska's people and economy. With strong ties to industry, government, and Indigenous communities, UAA is Alaska's dual mission university and the flagship health institution for the University of Alaska system.
The successful candidate will be a strategic and relationship-focused advancement leader with a demonstrated ability to drive results in a complex and collaborative environment. This individual will bring both vision and operational excellence, leading a high-performing, metrics-driven development team while actively cultivating and securing major gifts. They will possess exceptional relationship-building skills, establishing credibility and trust with senior leadership, donors, community partners, and stakeholders across the university and statewide. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator and trusted advisor who thrives in both strategic planning and hands-on fundraising, with a strong understanding of donor engagement, moves management, and data-informed philanthropy practices. A commitment to innovation, collaboration, and advancing UAA's mission in support of students and Alaska communities is essential.
Minimum Qualifications:
Master's degree in relevant field and six years progressively responsible experience, OR an equivalent combination of training and experience. PhD preferred.
Position Details:
This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage. This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package . UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA Staff Salary Schedule , Grade 84, based on education and experience.
We review applications on a rolling basis. Because we may close the posting once a sufficient pool of qualified candidates is established, we encourage early submission. Please note that once a viable pool is identified, further applications may not be reviewed.
Please attach a resume, cover letter, and the names and contact information for three (3) professional references with your application.
The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.
To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE .
If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Helen Sale, HR Coordinator, at (907) 786-6885.
*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.
The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu .
The University of Alaska ( www.alaska.edu ) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination ( www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination ) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.
Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.
All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.
* Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.
Access to the reports is available at:
UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety . Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu .
UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf . Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu .
UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf . Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu .