Assistant Director of Development, Athletics

Marquette University Clg-Nurse; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Marquette University in Wisconsin is seeking an Assistant Director of Development, Athletics to build philanthropic support for the athletics program. You will manage a donor portfolio, cultivate relationships, and coordinate solicitation and stewardship across alumni, families, and friends to advance university priorities.

The role collaborates with coaches and advancement colleagues to execute fundraising strategies, participate in gameday events, and contribute to donor retention and growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; At least 3 years of development or NCAA athletics fundraising or related experience with external constituencies.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Travel and work evenings and weekends when required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of up to 75 contributors, serving as a philanthropic advisor and nurturing donor relationships through the full donor cycle.
• Develop and execute fundraising strategies to renew and upgrade annual gifts and multi-year commitments.
• Assist in planning events and provide staffing support for alumni and donor events and gameday activities.
• Collaborate with Athletic Development, Marketing & Ticketing, and NIL Strategy teams to align fundraising with athletic priorities.
• Proactively develop fundraising skills and stay informed about collegiate athletics fundraising practices.

Skills

Portfolio management

Donor cultivation

Solicitation

Events planning

Communication

Team collaboration

Travel ability

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Assistant Director of Development, Athletics

Position Title Assistant Director of Development, Athletics

State WI

Employment Status Full Time

Position Status Regular

Position Type Staff

Job Family Advancement

The Assistant Director of Development, Athletics plays a key role in building and stewarding an ever-growing, deeply connected community that fosters lasting appreciation and philanthropic support for Marquette University and Intercollegiate athletics, empowering student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to excel academically, athletically, and developmentally for generations to come.
The individual secures philanthropic support for Marquette Athletics by establishing and developing relationships with alumni, M Club members, parents, and friends of Marquette through qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship. He or she will collaborate with coaches, athletic administrators, and advancement colleagues to build and maintain a deep understanding of athletic department and university priorities and implement fundraising strategies to build and maintain a portfolio of leadership annual giving contributors.
This position has the opportunity to work in a hybrid work arrangement with time worked both on campus as well as remotely.

1. Portfolio & Relationship Management
Manage a portfolio of up to 75 contributors, serving as a philanthropic advisor and fostering relationships throughout the full donor cycle.
Develop and execute fundraising strategies to increase giving through the renewal, and upgrade of annual donors, securing annual gifts of $5,000+, multi-year commitments up to $100,000, and/or planned gifts in support of athletic department and university priorities.
Make 40+ solicitations, secure 20+ commitments, and conduct 120+ personal visits annually, with a particular focus on strengthening donor retention and engagement, as well as building a robust pipeline of future major gift prospects.
2. Qualification & Acquisition
Build a portfolio of contributors through strategic qualification, leveraging available data and technology to identify alumni, families, and community members with the inclination and capacity to make a gift.
Utilize digital engagement strategies, including personalized email, virtual meetings, and targeted outreach, to initiate and strengthen relationships and advance prospects through the donor pipeline in addition to in person meetings.
3. Engagement and Gameday Support
Assists in planning and provides staffing support for events aimed at generating philanthropic support for Marquette Athletics including alumni M Club events, alumni and family weekends, receptions, etc.
Assists in managing hospitality spaces for home basketball games at Fiserv Forum on gamedays.
4. Athletic Department Collaboration
Works closely with Athletic Development colleagues and coaching staffs to develop strategies to determine and achieve program-specific fundraising goals.
Collaborates with Marquette Athletics Marketing & Ticketing to support strategies for ticketed athletic contests.
Partner with Marquette Sports Properties, NIL Strategy & Athlete Marketing, and Athletics Communication teams on strategic relationships and revenue generation strategy.
5. Professional Development
Proactively develops professional fundraising skills using internal and external resources.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the college sports landscape through professional networks.
Maintains comprehensive knowledge of university wide fundraising priorities.

Bachelor’s degree
At least 3 years of development, NCAA athletics, or related experience (e.g. sales, recruitment, etc.) working directly with external constituencies
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment
A growth mindset and commitment to the mission and values of Marquette University
Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Understanding of the current landscape of college athletics
Direct fundraising experience, preferably in higher education in support of NCAA Division I athletics programs

Department University Advancement

Posting Date 10/23/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants

EOE Statement

It is the policy of Marquette University to provide equal employment opportunities ( EEO ) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable federal or state-protected classification.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

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