Job No. 156982
- Job Title:
- Director, Administration
- Employer:
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University of Utah
- Location:
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Salt Lake City , UT
- Posting Date:
- 07-Nov-2025
- Description:
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Job Summary
Red Butte Garden and Arboretumis one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West, a regional center for plant-based science education, conservation and research, and cultural enrichment. As part of a state arboretum that encompasses the University of Utah campus, the Garden cultivates an essential urban forestland of over 2,000 trees in 456 different taxa. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 20 acres of developed gardens, and approximately five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive 80-acre natural area. Community-funded, the Garden is renowned for its diverse plant collections, themed gardens, and spectacular mountain setting, with nearly 600,000 springtime blooming bulbs, award-winning horticulture-based educational programs, and an iconic outdoor summer concert series.Guests come to the Garden for a myriad of reasons: to connect with nature, to participate in cultural programs, concerts, and wellness activities, and to attend lectures, classes and workshops. Innovative children’s education programs promote environmental sustainability, and educate the next generation of botanists and naturalists, while engaging classes inspire adults to remain lifelong learners.
The Garden seeks a Director of Philanthropy with the track record, energy, and drive to lead the philanthropic activities of an iconic cultural institution and one of the foremost botanic gardens in the Intermountain West. The primary objectives include obtaining major gifts for capital projects and annual operating support, achieving annual fundraising objectives in a competitive market, securing sponsorships for existing programs, managing a planned giving program, and supporting a results-driven department.
Reporting to and working closely with the Executive Director, the Director of Philanthropy will provide the leadership, coordination, and implementation of the Garden’s comprehensive fundraising programs and activities and will lead efforts to fund multiyear campaigns and Garden initiatives that emerge. The director will also serve as liaison to the Red Butte Garden Advisory Board. This position will support and partner with the Executive Director and the Garen’s Advisory Board in efforts to identify, attract, and cultivate major donors and ensure that the Garden is well positioned in the philanthropic landscape. With over 13,000 active Garden Members, there is a unique opportunity to enhance major gifts fundraising through strategic pipeline management and outreach.
As a member of the leadership team, the Director of Philanthropy will assist in fostering and maintaining a culture of inter- and intra-departmental collegiality and dialogue, while implementing a forward-thinking fundraising strategy to meet annual and long-term fundraising goals. The Director of Philanthropy will be an inclusive, inspirational leader who fosters a culture of excellence, collaboration, and community.
The Director of Philanthropy will provide strategic leadership and direction for the Garden’s philanthropic and membership programs, including our Cottam Club giving society and our Concert Donor Club. In this role, the director is responsible to identify, cultivate, and solicit donations and gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. The director will make direct contact with potential donors and foundations, and maintain donor relations within the procedures determined by the University President’s Office related to donor clearance. The director will lead our annual giving program, appeals, and targeted giving campaigns. The director will oversee the membership program and will help develop and implement strategies to retain existing members and increase recruitment of new members with value-based membership programs and benefits.
The successful candidate will build and maintain relationships with philanthropic organizations, with the University of Utah Advancement Office, and other individuals and organizations throughout the community while ensuring that all fund-raising activities are in compliance with state and university policies.
This is a full time, benefited position eligible for the excellent benefits package at the University of Utah including medical, dental, tuition reduction, and a generous retirement contribution. To learn more about our benefits package, please go to:https://www.hr.utah.edu/benefits/
Responsibilities
Identify, implement, and manage effective strategies to increase fundraising, including major gifts, corporate gift giving, capital campaigns, planned giving, sponsorships, annual giving, donor clubs, and grant acquisition.
Cultivate and build long-term relationships with current and new donors.
Create and implement a plan to identify and foster potential donors.
Solicit and close gifts at all funding levels, particularly capital, major and planned gifts.
Research and write gift proposals, donor letters of agreement, grant applications, gift acknowledgements, and articles for the Garden’s publications.
Oversee all Garden fundraising programs.
Track progress of solicitations and ensure that proper records are kept of each solicitation.
Set and administer the department budget.
Monitor gift accounts, including endowed and expendable funds, to ensure they are being managed in accordance with the donor’s gift agreements.
Assist in the planning and implementation of special events for members and giving societies.
Represent the Philanthropy Department as a member of the Garden’s leadership team.
Serve as a Liaison to members of the Red Butte Garden Advisory Board.
Engage Advisory Board members and develop relationships to increase their commitment and support for Red Butte Garden and Arboretum.
Structure an efficient and effective Philanthropy Department, including recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating department staff.
Champion progress and demonstrate agility, while maintaining the team’s focus to nurture existing relationships and pursue new opportunities.
Cultivate an environment of accountability with respect to outcomes and activities.
Provide opportunities and continuous, authentic feedback to develop and support staff.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with all internal and external stakeholders.
Contribute to cross-functional programs by collaborating with peers for policy implementation, relationship management, and strategic communications.
Work Environment and Level of Frequency typically required
Nearly Continuously: Office environment.
Physical Requirements and Level of Frequency that may be required
Nearly Continuously: Sitting, hearing, listening, talking.
Often: Repetitive hand motion (such as typing), walking.
Seldom: Bending, reaching overhead.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Business, Communication, Public Relations, English, Nonprofit Management, or related area, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); eight years of progressively more responsible management experience; and demonstrated leadership, human relations and effective communications skills required.
Master’s degree in related area preferred.
Five years experience in fund-raising, marketing, sales, business, public relations, annual, corporate or foundation giving which includes two years of budgeting and supervisory experience. Experience in grant or proposal writing, public speaking, a background working with print and/or electronic media, and an understanding of university fund-raising practices.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Ideal Experience and Characteristics
- Contact information:
- University of Utah
- Salt Lake City, UT 84112
- United States
- Employer's Website:
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