Assistant / Associate Director of Development, Athletics & Recreation

Colby College; United States; On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Colby College seeks an Assistant/Associate Director of Athletic Fundraising to grow annual and capital support for athletics and recreation. You will cultivate alumni and friends, coordinate with Colby Fund and athletic communications, and drive solicitations at multiple levels to reach ambitious goals.

The role requires collaboration with coaches, volunteers, and varsity boards to expand participation and gifts while aligning with future capital priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience.
• 3–5 years of fundraising or related experience; direct solicitations preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of alumni, parents, and friends for leadership gifts.
• Design and execute multi-channel communications and giving challenges with internal teams.
• Manage alumni boards and drive participation, annual fund growth, and program support.
• Collaborate with coaches and volunteers on budget goals, moves management, and events.
• Analyze data to assign gifts and tailor solicitation strategies.

Skills

Portfolio management

Donor solicitation

Alumni relations

Email marketing

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience

Tools

GiveCampus

Blackbaud

Microsoft Office

Job description

Department: Advancement Athletics Fundraising

Pay Rate Type: Salary

Employee Type: Job

The College seeks a highly motivated Assistant/Associate Director of Athletic Fundraising to build on momentum generated by the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center and expand annual and capital support. Reporting to the Director of Development for Athletics and Recreation, this position qualifies, cultivates, solicits, and stewards alumni, parents, and friends to help achieve a $3.2M area goal for FY27 ($2.8M raised in FY26).

Scope and portfolio size are aligned with rank: Assistant Director: Focuses on team and department communications, prospect qualification, pipeline building, volunteer board support, and solicitations at the $2,500–$10,000+ level. Associate Director: Manages a portfolio of 150–200 households, driving solicitations from $10,000–$100,000+ for annual, endowed, and capital priorities while leading varsity board strategy. Both levels partner with coaches and volunteers to manage a cohort of Friends of Colby Athletics varsity boards and identify new major-gift prospects.

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

• For Associate Director: Qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of Colby alumni, parents, and friends capable of making leadership annual fund gifts and contributions toward athletics and recreation priorities within the Dare Northward, particularly those at $10,000 and above
• For Assistant Director: Partner with the Colby Fund team, Advancement Communications, and Athletics Communications to design and execute multi-channel communications (email, direct mail, web, social media) and dedicated athletic giving challenges.

Essential Functions for both

• In partnership with the Director of Development for Athletics and Recreation, manage a portfolio of athletics alumni varsity boards with the goal of increasing alumni participation, growing annual fund support for specific varsity programs, and engaging the community of athletics alumni
• Participate in execution of events and programs in support of development activities, engage key volunteers, and effectively utilize events and other activities to move solicitations forward
• Partner with the Colby Fund team to implement an annual giving plan that achieves the dollar and participation goals for athletics and recreation within the Colby Fund, including mass annual giving campaigns 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 or families who should be assigned to gift officers
• Share athletics and recreation updates, milestone anniversaries, and current use fundraising needs with divisional colleagues to advance athletics fundraising efforts
• Serve as a visible and accessible representative of athletics engagement by attending athletics contests and events regularly
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Position Qualifications

Associate Director:

• 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 are essential, as is the ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently

Assistant Director:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in education and experience
• Minimum of 2 years of fundraising/communications experience; athletics annual giving/fund management and or non-profit annual giving experience highly preferred
• Experience with email marketing tools, database management, and microsoft office suite required.
• Experience with GiveCampus and Blackbaud technology preferred.

Qualifications for both:

• Professional conduct and appropriate handling of confidential information is required
• Attention to detail and accuracy are critical
• Talent to manage multiple projects and priorities while working within deadlines to achieve ambitious goals
• Prior experience managing volunteers, the ability to manage complex relationships, and proven collaboration and teamwork skills in a diverse community to leverage activities, initiatives, and programs for multiple purposes
• Understanding of the moves management process and ability to think and work strategically
• Willingness to travel and to work hours outside the normal working day (i.e. nights and weekends)
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. To perform this role effectively, an employee is expected to handle employee information, documents, and sensitive matters with care, professionalism, and respect for privacy. This position involves working with a variety of timelines, including some that require quick turnaround and responsiveness to urgent needs. In this role, the employee will interact with members of the public and others in a variety of situations and conversations. Presenting oneself in a professional, respectful, and thoughtful manner 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, including keyboard and mouse. Physical requirements differ by position. In general, most roles involve lifting up to 10 pounds regularly, with some positions requiring occasional lifting of up to 35 pounds. Vision requirements for this position include the ability to see clearly at close and far distances and to adjust focus as needed. The work environment is dynamic and engaging, often involving multiple tasks and projects that require shifting focus and strong organizational skills. The noise level is generally moderate; however, there may be occasional moments of louder sounds depending on campus activity. Colby College supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

About Colby College

Founded in 1813, Colby is one of America's most selective colleges. Serving only undergraduates, Colby's rigorous academic program is rooted in deep exploration of ideas and close interaction with world-class faculty scholars. Students pursue intellectual passions, choosing among 58 majors or developing their own. Independent and collaborative research, study abroad, and internships offer robust opportunities to prepare students for postgraduate success. Colby is home to a community of more than 2,200 dedicated and diverse students from around the globe. Its Maine location provides easy access to world-class research institutions and civic engagement experiences. In a period of fast-paced progress, Colby is building on its strong foundation while remaining committed to excellence, to supporting students and faculty at the highest levels, and to the College's deep liberal arts traditions. This new chapter includes the creation of innovative academic initiatives and partnerships, strengthening the connections between the liberal arts and the professional world, revitalizing downtown Waterville, and pursuing significant capital projects for performing arts and athletics. For more information about the College, please visit our web site: www.colby.edu.