Senior Major Gifts Officer

Senior Major Gifts Officer

Reports to: Deputy Executive Director

Overview

As the fundraising arm of UVA Athletics, the Virginia Athletics Foundation is responsible for engaging fans, alumni and

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Senior Major Gifts Officer

Reports to: Deputy Executive Director

Overview

As the fundraising arm of UVA Athletics, the Virginia Athletics Foundation is responsible for engaging fans, alumni and
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loyal supporters of the University of Virginia to generate financial contributions for the purpose of enriching the overall
educational and athletic experience for over 700 student-athletes participating in 27 sports programs by providing
financial security for long-term growth, prosperity, and broad-based excellence.

The Senior Major Gift Officer will cultivate relationships with fans, friends, and alumni with a portfolio of 125 – 150
current and prospective donors that will lead to major/principal gifts to support all aspects of the fundraising enterprise,
with emphasis on the Sabre Society and its key priorities. Accordingly, the Senior Major Gifts Officer will serve as a key
member of the VAF supporting these fundraising priorities through an emphasis on securing new Society commitments,
upgrading existing Society members, and strategically articulating opportunities to connect the passions of UVA
constituents with the priorities established by VAF and Athletics leadership.

The Senior Major Gifts Officer will be assigned certain territories to cover, will be charged with prospecting for new
donors through new and innovative solutions, and will be tasked to serve as a sport(s) liaison, working directly with a
coaching staff to best understand their program needs and how their case for support aligns within the greater
fundraising priorities of VAF.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a portfolio of 125-150 major gift prospects focusing on solicitations for inclusion into the
Sabre Society and its defined avenues for support (i.e., capital, sport enhancement, scholarship and operational
endowments, Athletic Director’s Excellence, Name, Image, and Likeness).

• Conduct at least 200 strategic moves with prospects and donors per year and participate in a minimum of 40

solicitations per year.

• Manage a deliberate sequence of interactions with each prospect, intended to build engagement and move

them through the steps of an established donor engagement and readiness process.

• Track and report relationship management activity using constituent relationship management system to best
ensure proper health and hygiene of their portfolio, including using information gathered to independently
determine whether prospects should be disqualified, with the goal of establishing a continuous pipeline of
donors capable of making Society level commitments of $25,000 or more.

• Gather data, assess prospects, and develop strategies designed to realize the current and lifetime giving
potential of individual prospects by validating prospect’s capacity, inclination, and strength of affinity while
taking on the role of trusted philanthropic advisor throughout the donor lifecycle.

• Aggressively identify, and formally qualify, new major and planned gift prospects by developing, optimizing and
executing long-range and short-term cultivation, solicitation and stewardship strategies, producing a continuous
stream of donors capable of making major gift commitments to UVA Athletics via the Sabre Society.

• Develop complete knowledge of athletics department operations, including industry trends and market forces

that may affect future operational aspects of our enterprise.

• Build travel plans demonstrating judicious use of time and resources, including strategic meetings with active

prospects and additional qualification and stewardship meetings.

• Frequent travel is required as well as regular participation in evening and weekend activities.
• Serve as the liaison to specific sport(s) to best understand the priorities of their program, how they are woven
into the broader priorities of UVA Athletics during an existential period of change and establish a culture of

philanthropy that fosters growth and charitable engagement by program alumni, friends, and parents for the
betterment of the sport(s).

• Other duties as assigned as a member of the Virginia Athletics Foundation staff

Qualifications

•

Leadership as demonstrated through an ability to appreciate and articulate the athletics department vision,
values and programs to donors, volunteers, and development staff in an engaging, motivating, and inspirational
manner

• Demonstrated successful experience and effectiveness in prospect identification, cultivation, solicitation, and

stewardship

• Goal-oriented (metrics driven)
• Strong customer service skills
• Demonstrated initiative in seizing opportunities, a self-starter
• Ability to maintain poise in interactions with university administration, VAF Board of Trustees, community

leaders, donors, and co-workers

• Ability to prioritize and organize complex projects and plans to deliver results
• Proven record of accomplishment that demonstrates initiative, creativity, and interpersonal skills, preferably in a

university setting

• Enjoys interacting with people with a proven ability to develop relationships
• Commitment to service
• Demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for the University of Virginia and the mission of VAF
• Strong organizational, leadership, and mentoring skills
• Ability to learn development software quickly
• Ability to write and speak clearly and effectively
• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 7-9 years of related professional experience
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Must possess valid driver's license

Benefits*

• Annual salaried position (compensation based on experience)
• Annual incentive program (based on staff performance)
• Paid personal leave and 12 paid holidays
• Health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance
• 401k Plan with employer contribution
• On-site parking provided
• Football and Basketball season tickets for employee and eligible family members
• Family pass for regular season home athletics UVA Olympic sport events
• Recreation pass providing access to all UVA recreation facilities

*Benefits subject to change

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the Virginia Athletics Foundation honors your experiences, perspectives, and
unique identity. Together, we strive to create and maintain working environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming so we
can best achieve our mission of supporting our broadly diverse donors, teams, and networks of engaged alumni, parents, and friends
of the UVA Athletics.

Qualified applicants who are interested in further discussing this opportunity are encouraged to apply by emailing a
copy of your cover letter and resume to vafweb@virginia.edu for consideration.

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