Director of Grateful Patient and Families Program
Director of Grateful Patient and Families Program
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.
Special Instructions
Requisition Number: PRN43660B
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
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.
Department: 00289 - Development
Location: Campus
Pay Rate Range: 75,000 to 90,000
Close Date: 2/21/2026
Open Until Filled:
To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/192458
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