Associate Director, Development and Alumni Engagement - Athletics

Job Description

The Associate Director, Development and Alumni Engagement in the Athletics Development department will be responsible for soliciting both major gifts and leadership annual gifts for Vanderbilt University, with a focus on outright gifts and pledges to the Athletics program in support of all Vanderbilt student athletes.  In addition, this position will be responsible for increasing engagement with Vanderbilt University with a particular focus on former student-athletes through the Black & Gold Club.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.  You can find more information at www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Actively cultivate, solicit, and steward both major gifts and leadership annual gifts by:

• Conducting 120-150 visits annually with prospects capable of making annual gifts and pledges of $25,000+ as well as visits with prospects capable of making $100k+ (visits are anywhere around the country and locally)
• Effectively communicating results of prospect visits to appropriate personnel, such as other development staff, with particular emphasis on major donor prospect identification.
• Qualifying major donor prospects each year.
• Managing a portfolio of approximately 100-125 prospects and donors
• Using data to identify prospects for leadership annual gifts. 

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Job Description

The Associate Director, Development and Alumni Engagement in the Athletics Development department will be responsible for soliciting both major gifts and leadership annual gifts for Vanderbilt University, with a focus on outright gifts and pledges to the Athletics program in support of all Vanderbilt student athletes.  In addition, this position will be responsible for increasing engagement with Vanderbilt University with a particular focus on former student-athletes through the Black & Gold Club.

About the Work Unit:

The Department of Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) assists Vanderbilt University in securing the resources, both human and financial, that are required to achieve its mission and goals. The Department is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individuals and organizations whose charitable objectives are consistent with those of Vanderbilt University’s teaching and research programs.  You can find more information at www.vanderbilt.edu/dar/

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Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Actively cultivate, solicit, and steward both major gifts and leadership annual gifts by:

• Conducting 120-150 visits annually with prospects capable of making annual gifts and pledges of $25,000+ as well as visits with prospects capable of making $100k+ (visits are anywhere around the country and locally)
• Effectively communicating results of prospect visits to appropriate personnel, such as other development staff, with particular emphasis on major donor prospect identification.
• Qualifying major donor prospects each year.
• Managing a portfolio of approximately 100-125 prospects and donors
• Using data to identify prospects for leadership annual gifts. 
• Manage information flow for Salesforce Affinaquest (Development CRM Database).         

Improve engagement with VU Athletics and the Black and Gold Club:

• Serve as a Vanderbilt Athletics brand ambassador to student-athlete alumni for assigned sports, through effective, timely and of-service communication.
• Collaborate with the communications team to develop and implement a comprehensive communications plan for assigned sports.
• Collaborate with the special events team to plan, promote, and execute student-athlete alumni events for assigned sports. 
• Responsible for event marketing and responding professionally and timely to alumni.
• Manage volunteer communities for assigned sports to increases alumni participation and engagement through peer-to-peer outreach.
• Cultivate relationships with alumni through activities such as birthday cards, care packages, thank you gifts, stewardship, and planning special donor events such as lunches and dinners.
• Maintain alumni lists, volunteer lists, event calendars, timelines & event attendance.
• Assist with ad hoc data analysis, reports, and requests such as alumni and donor lists

Establish oneself as a knowledgeable staff member by:

• Learning the Vanderbilt mission and being knowledgeable about Vanderbilt and the Athletic Department’s responsibilities to the mission
• Attaining an in-depth understanding of the development programs and their goals in supporting the Athletic Department and student athletes.

Cultivate relationships with Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) staff, Athletic administrators, and Vanderbilt University as a whole.  In addition, cultivate relationships with external constituencies such as alumni, parents, and friends of the University by:

• Collaborating with DAR staff to build and maintain best practices in Leadership Annual Giving
• Establishing a sound working relationship with DAR staff to enhance collaboration in Leadership Annual Giving.  This includes working with major gifts officers, operations/advancement services, Athletics Department leadership, reunion teams, and the DAR leadership team.

Enhance departmental performance standards by:

• Performing as a team player
• Maintaining a level of reliability that generates stability in the department
• Meeting or exceeding department performance standards
• Fostering a spirit of cooperation

Contribute to departmental efficiency by:

• Understanding and effectively communicating departmental policy and procedures
• Clearly communicating concerns and questions to supervisor and staff
• Soliciting guidance from supervisor and co-workers when uncertainty arises
• Conveying thoughts to supervisor on improving departmental performance
• Performing other duties as assigned

Approach each situation with a professional attitude by:

• Exercising good judgment in discussing issues and results
• Maintaining composure and a calm demeanor during challenging situations
• Respecting the need for confidentiality of donors and colleagues

Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Senior Director of Development, Athletics.

Work Environment:

This position will be located in the Nashville area.  It will require being in the office every business day.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent, is necessary

Experience and Skills:

• Four years of relevant experience, or the equivalent, is necessary
• Two or more years of experience in development or alumni relations preferred, with direct donor solicitation experience 
• Willingness and ability to personally solicit gifts of $25k or $100k and larger
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Interpersonal skills and judgment suitable for exercising appropriate discretion and demeanor when dealing with alumni, parents, friends, and employees
• Ability to exercise good judgment in the handling of confidential information
• Ability to use current computer technology, such as Windows, Excel, Word, and Vanderbilt’s donor management system
• Fundraising experience within higher education preferred
• Experience with trip planning, domestic travel, and scheduling “discovery” appointments with individuals (i.e., donors, prospects, clients, customers that applicant may have never met before).
• Value of the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Routine overnight travel is necessary
• Evening and weekend work, as needed, including attending athletics events
• Driving is considered an essential job function for this role. Must have and maintain a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record. Vanderbilt University engages a third party to provide up-to-date notifications regarding negative changes to motor vehicle records.
• Value of the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

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