Executive Director of Development, UConn Health
University of Connecticut Foundation
The Opportunity Overview
The University of Connecticut Foundation is seeking an Executive Director of Development, UConn Health to provide strategic leadership for all philanthropic efforts supporting the institution’s expanding inpatient and outpatient clinical enterprise. Reporting to and partnering closely with the Senior Associate Vice President for Health Giving, this role leads a team of development professionals focused on securing annual, major and principal gifts from grateful patients, community supporters, corporate and foundation partners and key stakeholders. The Executive Director serves as a senior fundraising partner to hospital leadership, including the CEO and clinical program chiefs, advancing a strong culture of philanthropy that fuels exceptional patient care, clinical innovation and hospital-based education and research.
In this highly visible role, the Executive Director manages a significant portfolio of high-capacity prospects, raises $3–$7 million annually and drives strategic outreach centered on grateful patient fundraising, service-line partnerships and community engagement. The position collaborates closely with Foundation colleagues and hospital leaders to align philanthropic strategy with institutional priorities, support campaign initiatives and strengthen donor pipelines. Responsibilities also include leading and mentoring frontline fundraisers, overseeing performance metrics and business processes, ensuring HIPAA compliance and developing compelling donor proposals that advance UConn Health’s most critical clinical and operational needs.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned major and principal gift fundraiser with at least seven years of experience—preferably in healthcare philanthropy—who excels at building trusted relationships and personally soliciting gifts of $500,000 and above. They are a collaborative, results-driven leader with strong strategic judgment, exceptional communication skills and the ability to motivate teams in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment. Comfortable partnering with senior executives and clinicians, this individual brings tact, diplomacy and a deep commitment to confidentiality, inclusivity and donor stewardship, along with the flexibility to travel extensively and the professionalism to represent UConn Health and the Foundation with credibility and confidence.
About the University of Connecticut Foundation
The University of Connecticut Foundation is the independent, nonprofit organization that advances UConn’s mission by securing and stewarding philanthropic support across the University, including UConn Health. Working in close partnership with University and health system leadership, faculty, clinicians, alumni, donors and friends, the Foundation mobilizes private resources to strengthen academic excellence, research, student access and success and exceptional patient care. Through strategic fundraising, meaningful donor engagement and responsible stewardship, the UConn Foundation helps drive innovation, expand clinical and research impact at UConn Health and create lasting benefits for the University and the communities it serves.
About The University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut is the state’s flagship public research university, recognized nationally for excellence in education, research and public service. With campuses across Connecticut and a strong land- and sea-grant heritage, UConn drives innovation, economic growth and opportunity for students and communities statewide. UConn Health, the University’s academic medical center, extends this mission through an integrated clinical, research and educational enterprise that includes a leading teaching hospital, medical and dental schools and cutting-edge biomedical research. Together, the University of Connecticut and UConn Health advance discovery, educate the next generation of leaders and healthcare professionals and deliver high-quality, patient-centered care that improves health outcomes across the region.
Location
Farmington, Connecticut
