Job Description:

Reports To:  Director of Athletic Development/Sr. Associate Director of Athletics

Division: University Advancement

Department: Athletic Development

JOB SUMMARY

Fairfield University is seeking a dynamic, goal-oriented Assistant Director of Athletic Development for Annual Giving & Events. The Assistant Director of Athletic Annual Giving & Events is responsible for all aspects of Athletic Development current-use fundraising and events for development operations. This individual will report to the Director of Athletic Development/Sr. Associate Director of Athletics and will execute a comprehensive athletics annual giving program and event schedule by utilizing strategic planning to grow sport-specific funds. Working closely with the Associate Director of Athletic Development and University Athletics staff and coaches, this individual will engage with a broad range of constituents including alumni, parents, and friends to effectively communicate the University’s mission and case for philanthropic support and build a supportive community of donors with the intention of meeting/exceeding annual philanthropic, engagement and participation goals.

In addition to supporting Athletic Development’s initiatives and goals, the Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of Monarch member donors. This position will also work directly with all Friends of Athletics sport-specific groups to support the development and implementation of strategies to achieve individual team fundraising goals through annual giving initiatives and events. The Assistant Director is also responsible for key fundraising events which include, but are not limited to, Friends Events, Golf Outings, Giving Days, and the Fairfield Athletics Hall of Fame. The Assistant Director will also coordinate all efforts with the Athletic Marketing, University Marketing, Sports Information and Compliance teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Athletics Annual Giving (55%)

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Job Description:

Reports To:  Director of Athletic Development/Sr. Associate Director of Athletics

Division: University Advancement

Department: Athletic Development

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JOB SUMMARY

Fairfield University is seeking a dynamic, goal-oriented Assistant Director of Athletic Development for Annual Giving & Events. The Assistant Director of Athletic Annual Giving & Events is responsible for all aspects of Athletic Development current-use fundraising and events for development operations. This individual will report to the Director of Athletic Development/Sr. Associate Director of Athletics and will execute a comprehensive athletics annual giving program and event schedule by utilizing strategic planning to grow sport-specific funds. Working closely with the Associate Director of Athletic Development and University Athletics staff and coaches, this individual will engage with a broad range of constituents including alumni, parents, and friends to effectively communicate the University’s mission and case for philanthropic support and build a supportive community of donors with the intention of meeting/exceeding annual philanthropic, engagement and participation goals.

In addition to supporting Athletic Development’s initiatives and goals, the Assistant Director will manage a portfolio of Monarch member donors. This position will also work directly with all Friends of Athletics sport-specific groups to support the development and implementation of strategies to achieve individual team fundraising goals through annual giving initiatives and events. The Assistant Director is also responsible for key fundraising events which include, but are not limited to, Friends Events, Golf Outings, Giving Days, and the Fairfield Athletics Hall of Fame. The Assistant Director will also coordinate all efforts with the Athletic Marketing, University Marketing, Sports Information and Compliance teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Athletics Annual Giving (55%)

• In collaboration with the Fairfield Fund, create and implement a comprehensive athletics annual giving program using targeted strategies to grow donor participation numbers and philanthropic giving totals.

• Work collaboratively with team members to ensure that solicitation and engagement strategies are aligned with the departmental goals.

• Maintain an active donor portfolio of Monarch Program members, an alumni-exclusive giving society for those who make a 5-year philanthropic commitment to a specific sport.

• Create and execute plans for Giving Tuesday and STAGiving Day.

• Ensure consistent communication with the Associate Director of Athletics/Communications & Content Strategy and University Marketing related to fundraising initiatives, events, and email communication to current and prospective donors.

• Serve as primary development liaison to the University’s head coaches. Partner with coaches to leverage their networks and align sport-specific revenue goals with clear solicitation messaging and timely appeals; support coaches in revenue generation and engagement initiatives including special events and alumni functions.

• In collaboration with the division’s Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving (AEAG) team, develop, establish and implement an effective engagement and stewardship plan to thank athletics annual donors in a timely and meaningful way. This includes monthly stewardship emails, the use of Fast Access, and the production of thank you letters.

• Collaborate with the AEAG team to create, segment, and execute a multi-platform, athletics-focused solicitation strategy (email marketing, social media, texting, etc.).

• Provide weekly financial reports to the Director of Athletic Development and Associate Director.

• Meet and exceed athletics annual giving revenue and participation goals.

“Friends of Fairfield” Events (35%)

• Work with “Friends of Fairfield” athletic affinity groups to create events to engage and educate athletics alumni, parents and friends.

• Execute special athletics-related events, such as the annual and sport-specific Athletics golf tournaments and the Athletics Hall of Fame, aimed at assisting with donor engagement and donor stewardship initiatives.

• Work with coaches to create pre-season and post-season Zoom updates.

• Update and maintain Raiser’s Edge database with interactions, opportunities, plans, and outcomes to produce comprehensive knowledge used in identifying prospect stages and inform strategic planning.

Athletic Development Support (10%)

• Enhance knowledge of and maintain current best practices for athletic development, and apply a visionary approach to creating campaigns, mini-campaigns, micro-philanthropy, social media, and stewardship activities.

• Learn and continuously enhance knowledge and understanding of the University’s mission, priorities, history, and alumni.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletic Development to support the goals and initiatives of the Athletic Development program. Duties may be changed and/or be added at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 2-4 years’ experience in annual fundraising, sales, volunteer management, event planning or related experience; athletic-related and/or higher education work experience preferred.

• Experience soliciting and securing gift commitments of $1,000-$50,000.

• Experience making cold calls and other introductory contacts to secure appointments with donors, prospects and volunteers.

• Experience creating annual giving plans and Giving Day challenges.

• Bachelor’s degree is required.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Thorough knowledge of college athletics (particularly Division I), marketing, public relations, and volunteer management.

• Knowledge of the marketing creative/design process for printed collateral, social media & video. Experience with project management and/or marketing platforms (e.g. Wrike) preferred.

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, with proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

• Knowledge of Anthology iMods or similar engagement/online giving/event registration software (not required but desirable).

• Knowledge of Blackbaud’s Raiser’s Edge and NXT or other CRM (not required but desirable).

• Knowledge of Workday is a plus.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal skills.

• Goal-driven, outcome-oriented, and self-motivated; able to work independently.

• Excellent time management and organizational skills with proven ability to work well under pressure and to handle multiple projects and requests concurrently, while meeting multiple deadlines; thrives in a rapidly changing environment.

• Able to effectively build and maintain productive and collaborative relationships with internal and external constituents; present a professional demeanor when interfacing with donors, coworkers, clients, and vendors.

WORK CONDITIONS

Occasional travel every month to achieve goals is required, which involves local, regional and some overnight travel and driving at night. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends throughout the year to support Athletic Development, the Advancement division, and University prospect/donor-facing events. Must be able to maintain the highest level of confidentiality. Valid driver’s license required. This position is based at Fairfield University’s 1073 North Benson Road (Fairfield CT) campus and is not eligible for immigration assistance.

About Fairfield University

Only 50 miles from New York City, Fairfield University is 200 acres of innovation and inspiration on Connecticut’s southern coast – a values-based, student-centric, outcomes-focused Jesuit Catholic University committed to cultivating mind, body, and spirit through a 500-year-old Jesuit tradition,
one of the oldest and most successful academic traditions in the world.

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, Fairfield University is a coeducational institution of higher learning that prepares students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world. Fairfield’s primary objectives are to develop the creative intellectual potential of students and to foster insight, empathy, critical rigor, and a determination to serve and promote justice. 

Since its inception, Fairfield has grown from a small liberal arts college with an inaugural class of 300 male undergraduate students into a coeducational university of nearly 6,000 students, both undergraduate and graduate. Today, Fairfield is a growing and highly competitive university that has earned a reputation for educational excellence and has been consistently recognized as one of the top institutions in the Northeast. The University is now emerging onto the national stage with professional schools and programs that are consistently ranked among the best in the country. In March of 2024, Fairfield’s women’s basketball team qualified for the NCAA tournament, driving excitement for their students, family, alumni, and friends across the country and beyond. 

About University Advancement

The University Advancement division, comprised of nearly 50 staff members, includes Development (Major Gifts, Planned Gifts, Parent Engagement & Philanthropy, Corporate Relations), Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving, Athletic Development, Special Events, Advancement Operations
(Prospect Research & Management, Advancement Technology & Information Services, Stewardship), and Advancement Finance. 

This comprehensive, highly experienced, goal-oriented, and innovative team utilizes industry best practices and SMART goals to create, implement, and execute programs and initiatives to exceed goals. University Advancement prides itself on its collaborative “can do” attitude, inquisitive spirit, and its reputation for excellence and mutual cooperation with campus partners. Since 1985, University Advancement has completed three capital campaigns and is now in the early stages of a new, comprehensive campaign, expected to launch in the near future.

Diversity & Inclusive Excellence

The Fairfield University community is committed to respecting and valuing one another, finding the common good rooted in us all, and working collaboratively to achieve their potential as a modern Jesuit Catholic institution. Fairfield aspires to be an inclusive, welcoming community that is representative of an ever-changing and diverse global populace. Through radical hospitality, Fairfield welcomes and invites all into the learning community, and is dedicated to pursuing shared standards of excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, and service. 

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Category:

Advancement - Admin

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 
 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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