Assistant / Associate Director of Development, Athletics & Recreation

Colby College; Benton (ME); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Colby College seeks an Assistant/Associate Director of Athletic Fundraising to build on momentum from the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center and expand annual and capital support. Reporting to the Director of Development for Athletics and Recreation, this role qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards alumni, parents, and friends to help reach a $3.2M area goal for FY27.

The position requires collaboration with Colby Fund and Athletics Communications to design multi-channel

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience.
• 3-5 years of fundraising or related experience; demonstrated success in making direct solicitations preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.
• Organizational and time management skills; ability to work in a team and independently.

Responsibilities

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of Colby alumni, parents, and friends capable of making leadership annual gifts and contributions toward athletics and recreation priorities.
• Partner with Colby Fund and Athletics Communications to design and execute multi-channel communications and giving challenges.
• Manage a portfolio of athletics alumni varsity boards to increase participation and support.

Skills

Donor relations

Prospect qualification

Moves management

Volunteer management

Data analysis

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

GiveCampus

Blackbaud

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Department

Advancement Athletics Fundraising

Pay Rate Type

Salary

Job Summary

The College seeks a highly motivated Assistant/Associate Directorof Athletic Fundraising to build on momentum generated by theHarold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center and expand annual andcapital support. Reporting to the Director of Development forAthletics and Recreation, this position qualifies, cultivates,solicits, and stewards alumni, parents, and friends to help achievea $3.2M area goal for FY27 ($2.8M raised in FY26). Scope andportfolio size are aligned with rank:

Assistant Director

Focuses on team and departmentcommunications, prospect qualification, pipeline building,volunteer board support, and solicitations at the $2,500–$10,000+level.

Associate Director

Manages a portfolio of 150–200households, driving solicitations from $10,000–$100,000+ forannual, endowed, and capital priorities while leading varsity boardstrategy.

The hiring range for the Assistant Director level is $55,000 -$65,000

The hiring range for the Associate Director level is $75,000 -$90,000

Essential Functions

To be successful in this position, an individual should be able to perform the essential duties and bring the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that support the role. This list of duties is intended to be representative rather than exhaustive, and additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

For Associate Director

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of Colbyalumni, parents, and friends capable of making leadership annualfund gifts and contributions toward athletics and recreationpriorities within the Dare Northward, particularly those at $10,000and above

For Assistant Director

• Partner with the Colby Fund team, Advancement Communications,and Athletics Communications to design and execute multi-channelcommunications (email, direct mail, web, social media) anddedicated athletic giving challenges.

Essential Functions for both

• In partnership with the Director of Development for Athleticsand Recreation, manage a portfolio of athletics alumni varsityboards with the goal of increasing alumni participation, growingannual fund support for specific varsity programs, and engaging thecommunity of athletics alumni
• Participate in execution of events and programs in support ofdevelopment activities, engage key volunteers, and effectivelyutilize events and other activities to move solicitationsforward
• Partner with the Colby Fund team to implement an annual givingplan that achieves the dollar and participation goals for athleticsand recreation within the Colby Fund, including mass annual givingcampaigns and micro campaigns
• Partner with coaches in budgeting and goal-setting process,solicitations, and board management program
• Routinely gather and analyze data in order to assess alumni orfamilies who should be assigned to gift officers
• Share athletics and recreation updates, milestoneanniversaries, and current use fundraising needs with divisionalcolleagues to advance athletics fundraising efforts
• Serve as a visible and accessible representative of athleticsengagement by attending athletics contests and eventsregularly
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties,responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with orwithout notice

Position Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Associate Director: Bachelor’s degree or the equivalentin education and experience
• 3-5 years of fundraising or related experience; demonstratedsuccess in making direct solicitations preferred
• Strong written and oral communication skills required
• Organizational and time management skills are essential, as isthe ability to work effectively both as part of a team andindependently
• Assistant Director: Bachelor’s degree or the equivalentin education and experience
• Minimum of 2 years of fundraising/communications experience;athletics annual giving/fund management and/or non-profit annualgiving experience highly preferred
• Experience with email marketing tools, database management, andmicrosoft office suite required. Experience with GiveCampus andBlackbaud technology preferred
• Qualifications for both: Professional conduct andappropriate handling of confidential information is required
• Attention to detail and accuracy are critical
• Talent to manage multiple projects and priorities while workingwithin deadlines to achieve ambitious goals
• Prior experience managing volunteers, the ability to managecomplex relationships, and proven collaboration and teamwork skillsin a diverse community to leverage activities, initiatives, andprograms for multiple purposes
• Understanding of the moves management process and ability tothink and work strategically
• Willingness to travel and to work hours outside the normalworking day (i.e. nights and weekends)
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’sFleet Safety Policy requirements

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics describedherein are representative of those that must be met by an employeeto successfully perform essential functions of this position and/ormay be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilitiesto perform the essential functions.

• To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected tohandle employee information, documents, and sensitive matters withcare, professionalism, and respect for privacy.
• This position involves working with a variety of timelines,including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness tourgent needs.
• In this role, the employee will interact with members of thepublic and others in a variety of situations and conversations.Presenting oneself in a professional, respectful, and thoughtfulmanner at all times is an important part of the role.
• This position includes regular movement throughout office spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, and other campus locations.
• Daily work will involve extended use of a computer, includingkeyboard and mouse
• Physical requirements differ by position. In general, mostroles involve lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, with somepositions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds.
• Vision requirements for this position include the ability tosee clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus asneeded.
• The work environment is dynamic and engaging, often involvingmultiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strongorganizational skills..
• The noise level is generally moderate; however, there may beoccasional moments of louder sounds depending on campusactivity.
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’sFleet Safety Policy requirements

Colby College supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and iscommitted to providing reasonable accommodations to enableindividuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions ofthe position.