-
Director of Grateful Patient and Families Program
- University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
-
Details
**Open Date** 11/21/2025
**Requisition Number** PRN43660B
**Job Title** Development Director
**Working Title** Director of Grateful Patient and Families Program
**Career Progression Track** G
Track Level
**FLSA Code** Executive
**Patient Sensitive Job Code?** No
**Standard Hours per Week** 40
**Full Time or Part Time?** Full Time
**Shift** Day
Work Schedule Summary
Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm; occasional nights and weekends, flexibility for hybrid work. Typically 3 days in office, flex 2 days.
**VP Area** President
**Department** 00289 - Development
**Location** Campus
**City** Salt Lake City, UT
**Type of Recruitment** External Posting
**Pay Rate Range** 75,000 to 90,000
**Close Date** 02/21/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
The University of Utah Advancement Office seek an experienced and strategic fundraising professional to serve as the **Director of the Grateful Patient & Families Program** . This role leads a comprehensive grateful patient philanthropy strategy that strengthens patient engagement, advances a culture of gratitude, and drives philanthropic support across the health system. The Director oversees the **Here for You Fund** , manages key vendor partnerships, reports and analyzes giving, and collaborates closely with clinical and administrative leaders to build a sustainable pipeline of grateful patient prospects and donors.
The Director of GP and Families Program reports to the ( PDO of Institutional Fundraising) and works closely with U Health Advancement leaders and fundraisers to help achieve collective goals. This position is highly collaborative, supporting hands-offs, lead generation, stewardship, and a holistic grateful patient program.
Responsibilities
_Program Leadership & Strategy_
+ Lead the overall strategy, design, growth, and assessment of the University of Utah’s Grateful Patient & Families Program. Implementing a year-round calendar for print, phone, and digital communications.
+ Serve as the lead of the Here for You Fund, ensuring its visibility, impact, and alignment with institutional priorities.
+ Collaborate with the Annual Giving Team on new strategies for digital engagement and donor cycles.
+ Develop and implement clinician engagement programs, including training, referral pathways, recognition, and tailored resources.
_Partnership & Collaboration_
+ Build and maintain strong relationships with clinical area fundraisers. Acts as a liaison for the hospital and clinical areas fundraisers. Providing emerging leads, hand-offs, and potential major and legacy gift donors to development directors across the U Health system.
+ Act as a strategic advisor to clinical partners on philanthropy, grateful patient practices, and donor engagement opportunities.
+ Collaborate with the Annual Giving Team, Information Services, and Donor Relations on strategies for digital engagement, stewardship, and donor cycles.
_Vendor & Tech Management_
+ Manage the University’s relationship with third-party vendors supporting grateful patient programs (e.g., screening, automation, data enrichment, or communication platforms).
+ Oversee vendor performance, contracts, workflow optimization, and technology integration with internal systems.
+ Identify opportunities for innovation using data analytics, automation, and best-practice grateful patient tools.
_Operations & Performance_
+ Establish KPIs, dashboards, and regular reporting to measure program effectiveness, pipeline growth, and ROI . Build an effective hand-off model and trackability.
+ Develop reporting and data cleaning processes and policies with the Prospect Research, Information Services, EPIC , and our Salesforce CRM .
+ Ensure compliance with HIPAA , patient privacy, and institutional policies in all processes and communications.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communication, Public Relations, English, or a related field, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience). Five years experience in fundraising, marketing, sales, business, public relations, annual, corporate or foundation giving which includes two years of budgeting and supervisory experience. Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills required. Experience in grant or proposal writing, public speaking, a background working with print and/or electronic media, an understanding of university fundraising practices and personnel management is preferred.
Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.
Preferences
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
Minimum 3 -5 years of experience in fundraising, nonprofit management, healthcare administration, or related fields.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
Experience in higher education or a nonprofit setting.
**Type** Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.
All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action ( OEO /AA). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at: https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/
Online reports may be submitted at oeo.utah.edu
https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
-
Recent Jobs
-
Director of Grateful Patient and Families Program
- University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)