Associate Athletic Director, Development

University Of Idaho; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Idaho in Idaho offers a leadership role as Associate Athletic Director, Development to advance a growing athletics fundraising program. You will drive major gift initiatives, manage a broad portfolio, and lead a team to meet ambitious goals including $100,000+ gifts.

Required is a Bachelor’s degree with at least four years in fundraising, strong relationship-building, travel readiness and the ability to work flexible hours. Visa sponsorship is available.

Qualifications

• Four years in fundraising or related work experience such as high-level sales or marketing.
• Ability to travel and work nonstandard business hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to meet policy requirements for driving university vehicles.
• Experience with volunteer boards and committees is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of major gift solicitation strategies, including identifying prospects, building cultivation plans and making direct solicitations.
• Provide leadership and direction to the development team, including setting clear goals, managing performance and fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Focus on securing gifts of $25,000 or higher.
• Monitor and analyze fundraising performance metrics, making data-driven decisions to optimize fundraising strategies and tactics.
• Prepare regular reports and updates on fundraising activities, outcomes and projections for the executive team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Major gift fundraising

Prospect management

Team leadership

Data-driven fundraising

Solicitation tactics

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Job description

Associate Athletic Director, Development

Position Title Associate Athletic Director, Development

Division/College

Division/College University Foundation

Department

Department University Development

Location

Posting Context Statement

The Associate Athletic Director for Development is a key leadership position within Idaho Athletics, partnering closely with members of the Athletics Department and the University of Idaho Foundation, to help shape the vision and direction of a growing athletics development program. This position will play a significant role in driving philanthropic support for transformational capital projects, student-athlete scholarships, and institutional NIL initiatives.

Position Overview

This position is responsible for increasing major gift opportunities. Specific responsibilities include management of assigned prospects with cultivation activities, face-to-face visits, proposal development, identification and solicitation of major gifts with an emphasis on gifts of $100,000 or more from individuals, corporations, commodity groups and foundations. This position is a key member of the college/unit fundraising team and works together to achieve fundraising goals for the college/unit and the university.

Duties may include:

• Lead the development and execution of major gift solicitation strategies, including identifying prospects, building cultivation plans and making direct solicitations
• Provide leadership and direction to the development team, including setting clear goals, managing performance and fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment
• Focus on securing gifts of $25,000 or higher
• Monitor and analyze fundraising performance metrics, making data-driven decisions to optimize fundraising strategies and tactics
• Prepare regular reports and updates on fundraising activities, outcomes and projections for the executive team
• Other duties as assigned

Positions at this level typically manage a portfolio of 100 or more major gift prospects and donors. They are expected to make at least 100 strategic moves and 20 solicitations of $25,000 or more. Each year, they are expected to have raised at least $1,500,000.

• Four years in fundraising or related work experience such as high-level sales, marketing or constituent-based outreach
• Working in an environment dependent on developing and maintaining positive relationships

Required Education

• Bachelor’s Degree

Required Other

• Ability to travel
• Ability to work nonstandard business hours, including weekends and holidays
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to meet policy requirements for driving university-owned vehicles

Additional Preferred

• Master’s Degree
• Experience with volunteer boards and committees
• Familiarity with database computer systems and applications, preferably customer relationship management systems
• Public relations or marketing experience
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills, using proper grammar and punctuation as demonstrated in application materials
• Knowledge of development activities, preferably in higher education
• Experience working in fundraising within an NCAA Division I Athletic Department

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• None

Degree Requirement

Degree Requirement Listed degree qualification is required at time of hire

Posting Information

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Employee Category

Employee Category Exempt

Pay Range

Pay Range $100,000 annually or higher, commensurate with experience

Type of Appointment

Type of Appointment Fiscal Year

FTE

1

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time/Part Time Full Time

Funding

A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy.

A visa sponsorship is available for the position listed in this vacancy. No

Posting Date

Posting Date 07/29/2026

Closing Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Applicants who are selected as final possible candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check.

The University of Idaho is an equal employment opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Letter of Qualification

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
  • Academic Careers
  • Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)
  • Chronicle
  • Facebook
  • HigherEd/Academic Impressions
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Idaho Department of Labor/Job Service including Job Central or Idaho Works (Idahoworks.gov)
  • Indeed.com
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • LinkedIn
  • Newspaper
  • Other Venue
  • Professional Listservs (Ex: NACUBO, AAAE, ISMC, etc.)
  • University of Idaho Website
  • University of Idaho Daily Register
  • University of Idaho Employee
  • Word of Mouth
  • Militaryjob.com
  • DSPSjobs.com
  • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
• * Were you referred to this employment opportunity by a current University of Idaho employee? If so, please provide their name and department.

  (Open Ended Question)