Senior Relationship Manager

The Senior Relationship Manager plays a pivotal role in advancing UAF’s mission by securing major gifts of $25,000+ from individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations. Working as part of the central development team, this position supports fundraising efforts across colleges, schools, institutes, and programs, while also championing the Chancellor’s initiatives in academics, scholarships and fellowships, facilities, and campus enhancements.

This donor-facing role requires initiative, strategy, and strong relationship-building skills. The Senior Relationship Manager will proactively identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, while collaborating with executive leadership, community partners, and the UA Foundation to maximize philanthropic support.

In addition, this position contributes to UAF’s advancement culture by supporting events, donor engagement strategies, and stewardship activities. Professional development and participation in civic and professional organizations are encouraged to expand networks, strengthen community ties, and elevate UAF’s fundraising success.

Success in this donor-facing role requires initiative, strategic thinking, and exceptional relationship-building skills. The Senior Relationship Manager will identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors, while working closely with executive leadership, community partners, and the UA Foundation to maximize philanthropic support.

This position also strengthens UAF’s advancement culture by contributing to events, donor engagement strategies, and stewardship activities. Active participation in professional development and civic organizations is encouraged to expand networks, deepen community connections, and elevate UAF’s fundraising success.

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 and fundraising or similar activity is required.

Position Details:

This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. The opportunity to work remote, remote within Alaska, hybrid or on-campus at UAF will be fully considered in accordance with UA regulations. 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 1, 2025, to ensure consideration, please apply by 11:55 PM, Alaska Standard Time on DAY BEFORE REVIEW DATE (9/30/2025).

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Bridget Thimsen, Signers' Business Office at bmthimsen@alaska.edu

*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.

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.