Associate Athletic Director, Development

University of California; Moscow (ID); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Idaho Foundation is seeking an Associate Athletic Director for Development to lead major gift solicitation and cultivate donor relationships within Idaho Athletics. The role emphasizes securing gifts of $25,000+ and managing a large portfolio to drive capital projects, scholarships, and NIL initiatives.

The incumbent will oversee a development team, develop cultivation plans, and report progress to university leadership. Extensive travel and nonstandard hours are required.

Qualifications

• Four years in fundraising or related work experience.
• Ability to travel and work nonstandard hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Experience with major gift solicitation and donor relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of major gift solicitation strategies, identifying prospects and building cultivation plans.
• Provide leadership and direction to the development team, setting goals and managing performance.
• Securing gifts of $25,000 or higher and expanding major gift pipelines.
• Monitor fundraising performance metrics and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Prepare regular reports for the executive team on activities and outcomes.

Skills

Major gifts

Prospect management

Face-to-face fundraising

Data analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Master’s Degree

Tools

CRM systems

Database systems

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 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

Special Instructions to Applicants

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

EEO Statement

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)