Senior Relationship Manager

Join UAF's growing Advancement Team! As part of the UAF Central Development team, the senior relationship manager will be responsible for growing UAF's individual donor base; fostering relationships with businesses, corporations and foundations; and demonstrate the ability to solicit major gifts ($25,000+) and planned gifts in support of campus priorities. This on-campus position is vital in supporting the development team to build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including alumni, benefactors, students, faculty, staff, and the broader community in advancing the university’s overall mission of research, teaching, and public service.

The senior relationship manager must be extremely detail-oriented, able to handle confidential material discreetly, is responsible and interacts professionally with a wide spectrum of individuals. Strong organizational and interpersonal skills are required, as well as the ability to be flexible, take initiative, and a thorough understanding of the UAF and UA programs, systems, and hierarchy.

Knowledge of the principles and practice of fundraising for higher education. Ability to develop meaningful long-term professional relationships with individual donors, and corporate and foundation executive level representatives. Excellent professional communication skills (both written and speaking), organizational skills, critical thinking skills, computer/technology skills and the ability to independently research and comprehend complex giving policies and procedures, and collaborate with colleagues to meet donor's needs.

Ability to effectively fundraise; analyze, conceptualize, plan and implement plans and goals to increase giving of new and current donors. Ability to travel within Alaska, and to the lower-48 to develop donor relationships and develop gift conversations. Knowledge of the UAF and the University of Alaska system and advancement culture and structure preferred.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of fundraising principles and practices, with the ability to build and maintain long-term relationships with individual donors, corporations, and foundations. Key responsibilities include analyzing and implementing strategies to increase giving, managing donor needs, and developing gift conversations.

Required skills include excellent written and verbal communication, organizational and critical thinking abilities, strong computer/technology proficiency, and the ability to research and navigate complex giving policies.

The position involves travel within Alaska and to the lower 48 states.

Familiarity with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), the University of Alaska system, and advancement structures is preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, public administration or relevant field and four years of experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A minimum of 4 year’s experience in successful relationship building and/or public relations is required.

A minimum of 2 years experience in fundraising or similar activity is required.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Troth Yedda campus in Fairbanks, Alaska, and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. This is a full-time, term-funded, 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 81, based on education and experience.

Applications will be accepted for review on October 18, 2024, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE (10/17/2024).

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

*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 UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

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.

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Bridget Thimsen, SBO Sr. HR Coordinator, at bmthimsen@alaska.edu.

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.