Director of Development, Athletics

PAY GRADE: 30S

CONTEXT OF JOB:

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Development for Athletics, the Associate Director is responsible for major gift fundraising for the Intercollegiate Athletics Program, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors. The major emphasis of the position is the qualification of major gift prospects and the solicitation of gifts of $50,000 or more from individuals.

The Associate Director is also accountable to the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for the establishment of fundraising goals for the Intercollegiate Athletics Program and accomplishing these goals.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits individual prospects for the Intercollegiate Athletics Program, with a focus on gifts of $50,000 or higher.
• Engages the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and athletic coaches, as necessary and appropriate, in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects.
• Manages a pool of 50-75 athletic prospects and makes 12 to 15 visits per month. Some of these visits will be done jointly with the Athletic Director, athletic coaches, and other development staff.
• Plans, recommends, and carries out appropriate solicitation strategies; guides individual athletic coaches when needed within this context.
• Plans, recommends, and carries out strategies for donor cultivation activities for Intercollegiate Athletics.
• Focuses on the qualification of new major gift prospects that are not in a current portfolio.
• Coordinates stewardship reports and activities for assigned prospects with appropriate members of the Intercollegiate Athletics Program.

PAY GRADE: 30S

CONTEXT OF JOB:

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Development for Athletics, the Associate Director is responsible for major gift fundraising for the Intercollegiate Athletics Program, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors. The major emphasis of the position is the qualification of major gift prospects and the solicitation of gifts of $50,000 or more from individuals.

The Associate Director is also accountable to the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics for the establishment of fundraising goals for the Intercollegiate Athletics Program and accomplishing these goals.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifies, cultivates, and solicits individual prospects for the Intercollegiate Athletics Program, with a focus on gifts of $50,000 or higher.
• Engages the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and athletic coaches, as necessary and appropriate, in the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects.
• Manages a pool of 50-75 athletic prospects and makes 12 to 15 visits per month. Some of these visits will be done jointly with the Athletic Director, athletic coaches, and other development staff.
• Plans, recommends, and carries out appropriate solicitation strategies; guides individual athletic coaches when needed within this context.
• Plans, recommends, and carries out strategies for donor cultivation activities for Intercollegiate Athletics.
• Focuses on the qualification of new major gift prospects that are not in a current portfolio.
• Coordinates stewardship reports and activities for assigned prospects with appropriate members of the Intercollegiate Athletics Program.
• Assists with Alumni Engagement & Annual Giving and College-related activities and events with a major donor component.
• Participates in the prospect solicitation clearance process.
• Supports the prospect solicitation tracking process.
• Attends home football and basketball games, and other important athletics events, for the purpose of cultivating and stewarding prospects and donors.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree with four years of progressively responsible job-related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in major gift fundraising, preferably in a university or college environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with prospective donors, to work effectively in a team setting, and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, strong interpersonal skills.
• Skill in developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Skill in use of personal computers and related software applications.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Ability to develop and implement short-and-long-term goals and plans.
• Ability to develop and maintain recordkeeping systems and procedures.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community.
• Ability to persuade and influence others.
• Ability to use independent judgment.
• Knowledge of the University of Delaware and its Athletic Program is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Travels both regionally and nationally, as necessary to cultivate, solicit, or steward prospects and donors.

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