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:
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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 Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, reporting to the Senior Director of Alumni Relations, is responsible for the planning and execution of alumni programs in support of development and fundraising initiatives for the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. This includes serving as a liaison between the school, the alumni auxiliary groups of the school, development colleagues, and the alumni relations team to support the goals of the school and foundation through shared resources and collaborative initiatives, ensuring philanthropy accelerates educational attainment, research innovation, and institutional impact.
Primary Responsibilities
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Identify, cultivate, and engage school alumni and donors in new and existing programmatic opportunities that increase involvement, strengthen professional and personal networks, and support philanthropic priorities of the school and the University of Connecticut.
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Build and sustain strategic relationships with mid-level donors and prospects, managing a personal portfolio of approximately 50-75 alumni with a goal of raising $50,000 - $150,000 annually while meeting assigned activity metrics.
- Proactively identify opportunities for individualized engagement based on alumni interests, career trajectories, and affinity for the school.
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Develop, plan, and manage a portfolio of alumni and donor programs and events that support engagement, stewardship, and fundraising goals ranging from advisory board meetings to regional, national, and virtual engagement opportunities.
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Collaborate closely with the Senior Director of Alumni Relations, Health Sciences; the Academic Unit Lead; and other university partners to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and best practices.
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Serve as the primary liaison to the Alumni Advisory Board, including coordinating meeting logistics, preparing agendas and materials, and supporting follow-up actions. Partner with board members and other volunteers to advance initiatives that enhance alumni involvement, advocacy, and philanthropic support for the school.
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Identify and advance opportunities to showcase the school, including events, research, teaching, service, and student and alumni achievements, through Alumni Relations platforms and College communications.
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Work in close partnership with School and University development staff to support and encourage alumni philanthropic support through engagement, stewardship, and coordinated outreach.
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Assist with donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship activities that contribute to fundraising success of the major gift pipeline for the school.
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Perform related duties as assigned to support alumni relations, development objectives, and overall institutional advancement efforts.
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Other duties as assigned.
Engagement
Collaborate with Stakeholder Engagement 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
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Champion for inclusive priorities both internally and externally.
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Strong organizational, interpersonal, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Commitment to and appreciation for the mission and values of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, with the ability to clearly and compellingly articulate the value of a pharmacy education.
- Demonstrated experience planning, executing, and following up on programs and events.
- Demonstrated ability to personally solicit gifts of $10,000 or more and contribute to major gift fundraising efforts.
- Experience collaborating with Prospect Management, Research, Major Gift Officers, and stakeholder engagement partners to identify prospects, steward donors, support alumni engagement, and grow the fundraising pipeline.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends and willingness to travel is required.
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Must have reliable personal transportation and a valid driver’s license issued from the state in which employee resides. Employee must maintain, at his or her 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. Evidence of this coverage, in the form of a certificate of automobile insurance, must be provided to the Foundation at hire and annually thereafter.
Education & Experience
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Bachelor’s degree required.
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Experience in higher education alumni affairs, donor relations and stewardship, non-profit organizations, fundraising and/or marketing/communications.
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Experience managing volunteers and volunteer boards preferred.
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Competence in Microsoft Office suite and donor management systems.
Salary:
The expected salary for this position is $60,000 - $65,000. 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:
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We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
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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.
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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 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.
