What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Board & Presidential Relations position at University of Vermont Foundation & Alumni Association?
JOB TITLE: Director of Board & Presidential Relations
REPORTS TO: Vice President and Chief Development Officer
EXPECTED SALARY RANGE: $90,000 – $110,000; plus the UVM Foundation’s progressive benefits package which includes: a comprehensive health plan; dental, vision, and life insurance, a robust paid time off package; a 403(b) plan with immediate vesting and contributions; and tuition remission.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2026, or a negotiated date agreed upon by both parties
FTE: Full-Time
LOCATION: Burlington, Vermont
JOB-TYPE/HOURS: On-site. This position will require occasional work outside of standard business days and hours. Occasional travel may be required.
Position Summary
The Director of Board & Presidential Relations is a senior strategic partner within the University of Vermont Foundation, reporting to the Vice President & Chief Development Officer and working in close partnership with the Foundation President & CEO. The Director serves as the primary staff liaison to the Foundation Board of Directors and Foundation Leadership Council (FLC).
The Director is responsible for strengthening the effectiveness, engagement, and philanthropic leadership of the Foundation’s most senior volunteers. Working closely with the President & CEO, Board officers and committee chairs, Foundation colleagues, and University leadership, the Director ensures that Board and FLC members are meaningfully engaged in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of the University of Vermont Foundation in its service to the University of Vermont.
The Director also serves as the Foundation’s primary coordinator for advancement-related engagement involving the President of the University, helping ensure that the President’s time with donors, prospects, alumni, and volunteers is strategic, well-prepared, and supported by thoughtful follow-up.
This position requires exceptional judgment, discretion, relationship-building skills, and the ability to operate effectively at the intersection of governance, philanthropy, institutional leadership, and volunteer engagement.
SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE
The successful Director of Board & Presidential Relations will combine strategic judgment with outstanding execution. They will be a trusted partner to the Vice President & Chief Development Officer and a close strategic partner to the Foundation President & CEO, a valued resource to Board and volunteer leaders, and a highly collaborative colleague across the Foundation and University.
They will understand that exceptional board relations is not simply about running excellent meetings. It is about creating the conditions for talented and committed volunteers to contribute their leadership, relationships, advocacy, and philanthropy in ways that meaningfully advance the University of Vermont.
The Director will be an exceptional collaborator, able to build strong partnerships across Development, Alumni Relations, Advancement Services, Finance, Communications, and other Foundation functions to ensure coordinated engagement of the Foundation’s most important volunteers and stakeholders.
Additionally, they will develop strong working relationships with key University partners whose work intersects with Board, volunteer, donor, and presidential engagement, including but not limited to: UVM Board of Trustees administrators and those coordinating larger-scale Presidential Events.
Essential Functions
Board Governance, Strategy, and Engagement (40%)
REPORTS TO: Vice President and Chief Development Officer
EXPECTED SALARY RANGE: $90,000 – $110,000; plus the UVM Foundation’s progressive benefits package which includes: a comprehensive health plan; dental, vision, and life insurance, a robust paid time off package; a 403(b) plan with immediate vesting and contributions; and tuition remission.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 15, 2026, or a negotiated date agreed upon by both parties
FTE: Full-Time
LOCATION: Burlington, Vermont
JOB-TYPE/HOURS: On-site. This position will require occasional work outside of standard business days and hours. Occasional travel may be required.
Position Summary
The Director of Board & Presidential Relations is a senior strategic partner within the University of Vermont Foundation, reporting to the Vice President & Chief Development Officer and working in close partnership with the Foundation President & CEO. The Director serves as the primary staff liaison to the Foundation Board of Directors and Foundation Leadership Council (FLC).
The Director is responsible for strengthening the effectiveness, engagement, and philanthropic leadership of the Foundation’s most senior volunteers. Working closely with the President & CEO, Board officers and committee chairs, Foundation colleagues, and University leadership, the Director ensures that Board and FLC members are meaningfully engaged in advancing the mission and strategic priorities of the University of Vermont Foundation in its service to the University of Vermont.
The Director also serves as the Foundation’s primary coordinator for advancement-related engagement involving the President of the University, helping ensure that the President’s time with donors, prospects, alumni, and volunteers is strategic, well-prepared, and supported by thoughtful follow-up.
This position requires exceptional judgment, discretion, relationship-building skills, and the ability to operate effectively at the intersection of governance, philanthropy, institutional leadership, and volunteer engagement.
SUCCESS IN THIS ROLE
The successful Director of Board & Presidential Relations will combine strategic judgment with outstanding execution. They will be a trusted partner to the Vice President & Chief Development Officer and a close strategic partner to the Foundation President & CEO, a valued resource to Board and volunteer leaders, and a highly collaborative colleague across the Foundation and University.
They will understand that exceptional board relations is not simply about running excellent meetings. It is about creating the conditions for talented and committed volunteers to contribute their leadership, relationships, advocacy, and philanthropy in ways that meaningfully advance the University of Vermont.
The Director will be an exceptional collaborator, able to build strong partnerships across Development, Alumni Relations, Advancement Services, Finance, Communications, and other Foundation functions to ensure coordinated engagement of the Foundation’s most important volunteers and stakeholders.
Additionally, they will develop strong working relationships with key University partners whose work intersects with Board, volunteer, donor, and presidential engagement, including but not limited to: UVM Board of Trustees administrators and those coordinating larger-scale Presidential Events.
Essential Functions
Board Governance, Strategy, and Engagement (40%)
- Serve as the primary staff liaison to the UVM Foundation Board of Directors, working closely with the Foundation President & CEO, Board Chair, officers, committee chairs, and senior leadership.
- Develop and manage an annual framework for Board and committee activity that aligns governance responsibilities, strategic priorities, philanthropic engagement, and the work of the Foundation.
- Lead the planning and execution of Board meetings, committee meetings, retreats, orientations, and other Board-related activities, ensuring that agendas and materials support substantive discussion and effective decision-making.
- Partner with Board leadership and Foundation colleagues to strengthen governance practices, Board effectiveness, succession planning, and leadership development.
- Oversee Board onboarding, orientation, continuing education, communications, and ongoing engagement.
- Maintain appropriate Board and governance records and coordinate with Foundation leadership and legal counsel on governance matters as needed.
- Provide strategic and staff support to Board committees and special initiatives as assigned.
- Serve as the Foundation’s primary liaison to the University’s Office of the President for donor, prospect, alumni, and volunteer engagement.
- Coordinate and prioritize requests for the University President’s participation in advancement activities, ensuring that presidential engagement is strategic and aligned with institutional and philanthropic priorities.
- Partner with development officers and Foundation leadership to develop clear objectives and strategies for presidential meetings, events, travel, and other interactions with donors, prospects, and volunteers.
- Ensure that the President is thoroughly briefed and prepared for advancement-related engagements, with concise background, context, objectives, and recommended approaches.
- Coordinate with development officers and Foundation leadership to ensure timely and thoughtful follow-up after presidential engagements, including correspondence, next steps, and relationship strategies.
- Collaborate with Foundation and University colleagues to leverage major institutional moments—including lectures, performances, athletic events, Commencement, Reunion and Homecoming, and other signature events—for meaningful donor and volunteer engagement.
- Work closely with development officers and other Foundation colleagues to create thoughtful engagement strategies for individual Board and FLC members based on their interests, relationships, expertise, and philanthropic potential.
- Help foster a culture in which Board and FLC members are active philanthropic leaders, ambassadors, connectors, and advocates for UVM.
- Partner with Foundation leadership to identify and cultivate the next generation of volunteer leaders and develop a strong pipeline for future Board service.
- Build trusted relationships with senior volunteers and provide highly responsive, individualized support throughout their service.
- Lead or coordinate strategic projects and initiatives at the request of, or in collaboration with, the President & CEO, Board leadership, or the VP & Chief Development Officer.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with senior leaders, donors, volunteers, board members, or other high-level stakeholders.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, judgment, discretion, and political acumen.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex information into clear and concise materials for senior leaders.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously and execute with a high degree of accuracy.
- Ability to think strategically while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
- Collaborative, team-oriented approach and demonstrated ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries.
- Ability to navigate sensitive or complex situations with diplomacy, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; able to apply these principles meaningfully in daily work and strategic processes.
- Commitment to the mission of higher education and to the role of philanthropy and volunteer leadership in advancing institutional priorities.
- Ability and willingness to travel and to participate periodically in evening and weekend activities; a valid driver’s license is required.
- Bachelor’s degree and at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in advancement, board or volunteer relations, executive engagement, higher education, nonprofit leadership, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in higher education advancement, philanthropy, board relations, executive engagement, or volunteer leadership.
- Experience working directly with governing boards, foundation boards, university trustees, or other senior volunteer leadership groups.
- Experience developing strategies that deepen donor or volunteer engagement and lead to increased philanthropic investment.
- Experience supporting a president, CEO, dean, or other senior executive in donor and stakeholder engagement.
- Familiarity with nonprofit governance and the principles and practices of higher education advancement.
Salary : $90,000 - $110,000