Job Description

Department:

Advancement Athletics Fundraising

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Employee Type:

Job Summary:

Over the past seven years, outreach efforts to communicate the value and impact of a Colby education have resulted in more than doubling the number of students seeking admission to Colby and setting several institutional records for funds raised. Major initiatives made possible through Colby’s campaign, Dare Northward, are enriching the student experience and positioning Colby’s home city, Waterville, as a destination for the arts and culture.

Propelled by visionary leadership, a compelling array of initiatives, and record fundraising in fiscal year 2017, Colby launched the largest fundraising campaign ever at a liberal arts college—$750 million—in October 2017 and extended the campaign to $1 billion in November of 2023. With the success of the Dare Northward campaign, the College will be known for a distinctive set of multidisciplinary academic offerings; an even more cohesive and accessible institutional culture for students from all backgrounds; the foremost art and athletic facilities in the educational sector; a welcoming, thriving, and dynamic surrounding community; increased global connections and resulting perspectives; the richest set of universal student experiences to enhance the Colby academic program; and the capacity to support the postgraduate success of every one of their students.

Job Description

Department:

Advancement Athletics Fundraising

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Employee Type:

Job Summary:

Over the past seven years, outreach efforts to communicate the value and impact of a Colby education have resulted in more than doubling the number of students seeking admission to Colby and setting several institutional records for funds raised. Major initiatives made possible through Colby’s campaign, Dare Northward, are enriching the student experience and positioning Colby’s home city, Waterville, as a destination for the arts and culture.

Propelled by visionary leadership, a compelling array of initiatives, and record fundraising in fiscal year 2017, Colby launched the largest fundraising campaign ever at a liberal arts college—$750 million—in October 2017 and extended the campaign to $1 billion in November of 2023. With the success of the Dare Northward campaign, the College will be known for a distinctive set of multidisciplinary academic offerings; an even more cohesive and accessible institutional culture for students from all backgrounds; the foremost art and athletic facilities in the educational sector; a welcoming, thriving, and dynamic surrounding community; increased global connections and resulting perspectives; the richest set of universal student experiences to enhance the Colby academic program; and the capacity to support the postgraduate success of every one of their students.

Thus far, more than 26,500 alumni and friends have made donations in support of initiatives such as the downtown Waterville revitalization, academic partnerships, financial aid, and global experiences and internships—collectively raising more than $820 million to date toward the Dare Northward campaign. Colby now ranks as a national leader among the nation’s colleges and universities in alumni giving participation. To learn about the Colby Dare Northward campaign, visit https://darenorthward.colby.edu/.

Current use giving through the Colby Fund supports critical areas of the College including athletics and recreation and raises $10M+ annually. The assistant/associate director of engagement will lead an annual fundraising plan, including appeals, content generation, volunteer mobilization, and direct solicitation of donors. The primary area of focus for this role will be Athletics, but has the potential to include work with other affinity groups and class-based cohorts. The assistant/associate director will collaborate with partners across the Division of College Advancement and the Department of Athletics to recruit and cultivate active volunteers to ensure that the Friends of Athletics funds meet financial targets of $2M+ annually and to increase athletics engagement. The successful candidate will work closely with 32 varsity programs, club sports, and recreation services to plan and execute creative strategies and overall operations centered around sources of athletics gifts specific to current-use funding. We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In partnership with the Director of Athletic Fundraising and other Advancement collaborators, develop and oversee the execution of an engagement strategy for assigned cohorts, which will include Athletics. This engagement strategy will include events, communications, volunteer management, and assisting with participation-level giving efforts across all athletics programs

• Develop and execute, often in partnership with the Director of Annual Giving, Advancement Marketing and Communications and Athletics Communications teams, cohort based communications for athletics such as emails, direct mail appeals, social media, event materials, and updates to content on the Advancement and Athletics website, etc.

• Work with the Department of Athletics staff and coaches to develop fiscal year engagement and fundraising goals for varsity teams, club sports, and recreation services

• Partner with divisional colleagues and Department of Athletics designated liaisons to mobilize coaches and volunteers to meet fundraising goals

• Oversee volunteer boards for select varsity and club sport affinity groups

• Identify, build connections with, and steward alumni and families in support of athletics

• Articulate the importance of unrestricted annual gifts to Colby’s success in verbal and written communications

• Develop and execute strategy and content for Friends of Athletics during mass annual giving micro-campaigns including a dedicated athletics fundraising challenge

• Routinely gather and analyze data in order to assess program and communications effectiveness at increasing family engagement and commitment

• Share athletics and recreation updates, milestone anniversaries, and current use fundraising needs with divisional colleagues to advance athletics fundraising efforts

• Serve as a visible and accessible representative of athletics engagement by attending athletics contests and events regularly

• Develop supportive partnerships with staff and faculty across campus, including the Campus Events, Facilities, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, DavisConnects Career Center, Department of Athletics, and Office of Campus Life; enhance opportunities for families to advance the goals and aspirations of these departments and the students they serve

• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience

• Minimum of 2 years of fundraising/communications experience; athletics annual giving/fund management and/or non-profit annual giving experience highly preferred

• Experience with email marketing tools, database management, and microsoft office suite required. Experience with GiveCampus and Blackbaud technology preferred

• Flexibility, excellent attention to detail, initiative, and a results-driven philosophy with the ability to problem-solve

• Highly motivated, disciplined work ethic, a competitive drive, an entrepreneurial spirit, a creative approach, a positive attitude, and a proven ability to work within diverse teams

• Excellent organizational skills including experience independently overseeing and executing complex projects and programs in a timely manner

• Strong written and oral communication skills required including the ability to write in multiple styles/voices and proactively edit as necessary

• Appreciation of Colby’s mission and the ability to effectively communicate it to constituencies

• Discretion and good judgment with confidential information

• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a diverse community and make an impact in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment

• Willingness and ability to work outside normal working hours

• Must be willing to travel; valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

Reporting to the director of athletic fundraising, the assistant/associate director will have significant interaction with the entire Division of College Advancement; the Department of Athletics, including the vice president and Harold Alfond Director of Athletics and coaching staff; senior leadership of the College; Office of Communications, as well as alumni, parents, and friends of the College.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

General open office and campus environment. Position involves sitting, although frequent movement is necessary. Computer usage involving repetitive hand/wrist motion is also necessary. Ability to move around campus and interact with faculty, staff, students, alumni and external constituencies regularly is crucial. Travel and work outside of normal business hours are required.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the "Apply" button on the Colby Careers website. Please submit a letter of interest including salary requirements, resume, and the contact information of three professional references.

A review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Colby is a private, coeducational liberal arts college that admits students and makes employment decisions on the basis of the individual's qualifications to contribute to Colby's educational objectives and institutional needs. Colby College does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or military or veteran’s status. Colby is an equal opportunity employer and operates in accordance with federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination.Colby complies with Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in an institution’s education programs and activities.Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to Colby’s Title IX coordinator or to the federal Office of Civil Rights.We encourage inquiries from candidates who will contribute to the diversity of our College, including its cultural and ethnic diversity.

For more information about the College, please visit our website: www.colby.edu.