Associate Athletic Director for Major Gifts

Position Information

General Information

Position Number

012571

Vacancy Open to

All Candidates

Working Title

Associate Athletic Director for Major Gifts

Position Designation

View Full Description

Position Information

General Information

Position Number

012571

Vacancy Open to

All Candidates

Working Title

Associate Athletic Director for Major Gifts

Position Designation

EHRA Non-Faculty

Employment Type

Permanent - Full-time

Months per Year

12

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday, including nights and weekends for athletic events and donor engagements. Scheduled hours are to be determined by the supervisor.

Hours per week

40

FLSA Status

Exempt

Division

Athletics

Department

Athletics (Adm)

Work Location

Student Activity Center

Salary Range

$90,000 - $97,850

Primary Purpose of Department

The position funds raises to support the mission of the Athletic Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. With a balanced program that supports opportunities for all students and staff, the department promotes a total person concept that provides its student-athletes with the necessary tools to be successful in academic, athletic, and social settings. The Department of Athletics supports the highest ethical standards of the University, the NCAA, and its conference affiliation.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Associate Athletic Director for Major Gifts is an action-oriented frontline fundraiser responsible for identifying, qualifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major philanthropic gifts ($35,000+) to support Charlotte Athletics’ strategic priorities, capital projects, and endowment needs. Reporting directly to the Deputy Athletic Director – Chief Philanthropy Officer, this role builds and aggressively manages a portfolio of high-net-worth individuals, alumni, former student-athletes, and corporate partners. The position works collaboratively with athletics leadership, head coaches, administrators, and University Advancement partners to translate athletic priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities and advance overall institutional goals.

Summary of Position Responsibilities

Strategic Major Gift Fundraising & Portfolio Management

• Portfolio Ownership: Maintain and aggressively move a personal portfolio of 100–125 major gift prospects through the moves management continuum to secure commitments of $35,000+.
• Discovery & Qualification: Independently conduct high-volume discovery work and face-to-face donor visits to systematically identify and qualify new prospective donors.
• Solicitation & Pipeline Building: Formulate, execute, and document customized donor strategies to cultivate, solicit, and close major gifts, capital campaign commitments, and blended/planned gifts.
• Campaign & Capital Priorities: Align fundraising efforts with major department initiatives, capital expansion projects, sports-specific enhancement funds, and broader university fundraising campaigns.

Leadership & Athletic Partnership

• Executive Partnership: Serve as a strategic partner to the Deputy Athletic Director– Chief Philanthropy Officer, Athletic Director, senior administration, and head coaches, integrating them into the development cycle and preparing them for high-level solicitations.
• Collaborative Support: Partner with coaches and athletic staff to translate team-specific capital and operating needs into fundable philanthropic opportunities. Specific responsibility as a sports liaison to 2+ coaches, helping identify funding priorities, identify potential donors, and expand partnerships with former student-athletes.
• Donor Engagement & Events: Host major prospects and donors at athletic events, competitions, baseline/courtside areas, and donor trips to deepen institutional engagement.

Collaboration & Administration

• Advancement Alignment: Collaborate closely with University Advancement partners (Gift Planning, Prospect Research, Annual Giving, and Alumni Engagement) to maximize donor impact and maintain unified institutional records.
• Database & Metrics Tracking: Maintain timely and precise records in Paciolan and Ascend, ensuring contact reports, proposals, and pipeline metrics are updated regularly.
• Compliance & Ethics: Ensure all fundraising activities strictly adhere to University, Athletic Foundation, NCAA, and conference rules, policies, and ethical standards.

Minimum Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Three years of professional experience in frontline major gift fundraising, intercollegiate athletics development, higher education advancement, or equivalent high-level relationship management/sales.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation preferred.
• Demonstrated track record of cultivating, soliciting, and closing major philanthropic gifts ($35,000+) or closing high-value accounts.
• Direct experience in NCAA Division I athletic fundraising or university advancement.
• Proficiency with Paciolan software, donor databases, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong interpersonal, public speaking, and written communication skills with the ability to articulate the vision of Charlotte Athletics passionately and persuasively.
• Willingness and ability to travel regionally and nationally, as well as work nights and weekends for athletic events and donor engagements.

Necessary Certifications/Licenses

• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Certifications/Licenses

Special Notes to Applicants

• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with
  the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to
  support your answers to the supplemental questions.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/bene...

Posting Open Date

11/11/2026

Posting Close Date

11/25/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Proposed Hire Date

If time-limited please indicate appointment end date

Contact Information

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?

   • UNC Charlotte Website
   • HERC Job Board
   • Inside Higher Education
   • Mitratech Circa (formerly known as Local JobNetwork)
   • Another Website
   • Agency Referral
   • Advertisement/Publication
   • Personal Referral
   • Other

2. (Open Ended Question)

3. * Do you have a bachelor's degree?

   • Yes
   • No

4. * Do you have three years of professional experience in frontline major gift fundraising, intercollegiate athletics development, higher education advancement, or equivalent high-level relationship management/sales?

   • Yes
   • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents 1. Resume / Curriculum Vitae 2. Cover Letter / Letter of Interest 3. Contact Information for References

Optional Documents

Apply Now

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