Director of Development, Athletics

Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and working in close partnership with the Vice President for Athletics, the Director of Development is responsible for identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support for Merrimack College Athletics.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150+ high net-worth individuals and corporations, building deep philanthropic relationships and soliciting sponsorships, and major gifts of $25,000 and above.

• Develop and implement strategies for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects, successfully moving them through the qualification and cultivation processes to solicitation.

• Develop and implement strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewardship corporate sponsorships.

• Conduct a minimum of 10-12 face-to-face meetings per month.

• Travel locally and nationally to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors.

• Engage in Athletics Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) strategic initiatives in accordance with NCAA and conference rules and policies.

• Develop, build and grow an Athletics Board of Advisors, individuals who provide both philanthropic support and strategic advice to the Department of Athletics, coaches, and leadership.

• Partner with Athletics leadership, development colleagues, coaches, trustees, and other volunteers to identify opportunities for prospect engagement within the teams.

• Prepare written briefings and solicitation strategies for senior leadership and coach visits with prospective donors, as well as follow-up documentation and correspondence.

• Prepare proposals for gift solicitations.

• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to engage and expand the pool of volunteers and prospective donors and coordinate solicitation strategies and campaign activities to increase alumni participation in annual leadership giving.

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Job Summary

Reporting to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and working in close partnership with the Vice President for Athletics, the Director of Development is responsible for identifying and implementing strategies for success in securing significant philanthropic support for Merrimack College Athletics.

Primary Responsibilities:

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• Manage a portfolio of approximately 150+ high net-worth individuals and corporations, building deep philanthropic relationships and soliciting sponsorships, and major gifts of $25,000 and above.

• Develop and implement strategies for cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects, successfully moving them through the qualification and cultivation processes to solicitation.

• Develop and implement strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewardship corporate sponsorships.

• Conduct a minimum of 10-12 face-to-face meetings per month.

• Travel locally and nationally to identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward prospects and donors.

• Engage in Athletics Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) strategic initiatives in accordance with NCAA and conference rules and policies.

• Develop, build and grow an Athletics Board of Advisors, individuals who provide both philanthropic support and strategic advice to the Department of Athletics, coaches, and leadership.

• Partner with Athletics leadership, development colleagues, coaches, trustees, and other volunteers to identify opportunities for prospect engagement within the teams.

• Prepare written briefings and solicitation strategies for senior leadership and coach visits with prospective donors, as well as follow-up documentation and correspondence.

• Prepare proposals for gift solicitations.

• Collaborate with Advancement colleagues to engage and expand the pool of volunteers and prospective donors and coordinate solicitation strategies and campaign activities to increase alumni participation in annual leadership giving.

• Maintain records of activities and engagements in Slate.

• Develop and execute documented stewardship plans for all major gift donors.

• Train, manage and lead a Development Associate in supporting the work of achieving fundraising goals, and building a pipeline of annual leadership support for the Warrior Fund.

• Solicit and drive alumni participation in leadership annual giving.

• Attend advancement events, including Homecoming, Commencement, Reunion, Presidents Cup Golf Tournament and regional/local cultivation events.

• Assume additional responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in direct frontline fundraising in major and planned gifts, preferably including experience with Athletic fundraising.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with a diverse student body, coaches, parents, staff, and other constituents.

• Ability to establish credibility and confidence with stakeholders.

• Exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively engage with all levels within the college.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with executive-level alumni.

• Ability to work independently and formulate creative strategies and effective moves management for major gifts advancement.

• Exceptional organizational, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Flexibility and willingness to assume new tasks and special projects as needed.

• Strong technology skills including proficiency in Google applications and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).

• Ability to anticipate and embrace change; demonstrate willingness to achieve, acquire, and utilize new skills and challenging tasks; and is flexible in changing conditions.

• Extensive experience in the successful solicitation of five- and six-figure gifts working with individuals and families.

• The integrity, intellectual depth, and confidence to effectively engage and partner with key internal and external stakeholders.

• A deep appreciation for Merrimack’s mission, goals, and culture and the proven ability to create engagement and fundraising strategies tied to the mission and strategic priorities.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to motivate, engage and work with staff, donors, and campus leaders.

• Strong motivation to succeed in a fast-paced and goal-oriented environment. Self starter as well as a team player.

• Flexibility and willingness to travel as a representative of Merrimack.

• Evening and weekend work required as needed.

• Must have had a valid unrestricted U.S. Driver’s License for one year, and maintain throughout employment an insurable (as determined by the College’s insurer’s criteria) or a satisfactory driving record.

• Prior fundraising experience in higher education preferred.

• CFRE certification preferred.

Application Materials Should Include:

• Resume

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Vaccinations and Work Location 

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus. 

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students from 43 states and 42 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has five schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social policy and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 220-acre campus is just north of Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 33rd in the Regional Universities North category in 2024. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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