Associate Athletic Director for Development

University of the Pacific; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of the Pacific is looking for an Associate Athletic Director for Development in Stockton, California, to spearhead Athletics fundraising initiatives. You will manage major gifts, develop donor strategies, and work closely with university leaders to enhance philanthropic support.

Ideal candidates will have extensive fundraising experience, proven leadership abilities, and the capacity to engage effectively with diverse constituents.

Qualifications

• Seven years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or athletics.
• Experience managing donor portfolios and leading campaign strategy.
• Demonstrated success securing major gifts of $100,000 or more.

Responsibilities

• Lead Athletics fundraising strategy with major gifts focus.
• Manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects.
• Prepare proposals and advance major gift conversations.

Skills

Fundraising experience

Leadership skills

Proposal development

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Associate Athletic Director for Development

Location: Stockton, California

Primary Purpose

The Associate Athletic Director for Development leads Athletics fundraising with a primary focus on securing major gifts. As a member of University Development and Athletics leadership, this position manages a portfolio of high-capacity prospects, develops donor strategies, advances campaign priorities, and works with university and athletics leaders to increase philanthropic support for Pacific Athletics.

Essential Functions

• Lead Athletics fundraising strategy, with emphasis on major gifts, campaign priorities, annual fundraising goals, and donor engagement.
• Manage a personal portfolio of high-capacity prospects and donors; identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward major gift opportunities.
• Develop individualized cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies in partnership with Athletics, University Development, campus leaders, coaches, and volunteers.
• Establishes strong collaborative partnerships with frontline officers across the schools and colleges to co-manage shared prospects and donors, ensuring coordinated strategies that maximize philanthropic outcomes.
• Provide leadership and supervision for Athletics development staff, setting clear performance expectations, metrics, and accountability for fundraising results.
• Ensures the Athletics development staff builds and maintains a strong strategic partnership with University Development's Annual Giving team to align Athletics fundraising priorities with broader annual giving strategies (including crowdfunding and the university's annual Giving Day), creating a coordinated donor pipeline and consistent messaging across all communication channels.
• Prepare proposals, briefings, donor correspondence, and other materials that advance major gift conversations and philanthropic commitments.
• Integrate Athletics fundraising priorities into University Development's strategic and campaign planning efforts.
• Build and sustain relationships with alumni, parents, friends, community leaders, corporations, foundations, and volunteers whose interests align with Pacific Athletics.
• Oversee Athletics development operations, including budget planning, program effectiveness, donor events, and collaboration with annual giving and advancement services.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; (Two (2) years of full time experience in the same/similar position is equal to one (1) year of completed post high school education coursework).
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible fundraising experience, preferably in higher education or athletics, with demonstrated success securing major gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Experience managing donor portfolios, leading campaign strategy, supervising development professionals, and working with senior leaders, volunteers, and donors is required.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree preferred.

Skills/Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects and donors
• Ability to manage a high-capacity prospect portfolio and move donors through the fundraising cycle
• Experience developing campaign strategies, fundraising plans, proposals, and donor briefings
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, motivate, and hold staff accountable for fundraising results
• Demonstrated experience leading the development and execution of annual giving fundraising strategies.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with university leaders, athletics staff, coaches, volunteers, alumni, parents, and donors
• Strong organizational, budget management, and strategic planning skills
• Commitment to working successfully with diverse populations and advancing an inclusive fundraising culture
• Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment with use of a computer and phone. Requires extended periods of sitting and repetitive hand/wrist motion while using computer keyboard and phone. Occasional standing, walking across campus, climbing stairs, bending, stooping and reaching. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds or more.

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment.
• Must be prepared to work non-business hours and weekends.
• Frequent travel both local and overnight.
• This is an in-person role, and the successful candidate must be willing to relocate within California, preferably within 25 miles of the Stockton Pacific campus.
• Valid driver's license required. Incumbent must also be able to meet the University's fleet rules and be eligible to drive for University business. The University's insurance carrier reserves the right to exclude applicants based on their driving record.

Hiring Range

$105K - $139K; We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Background Check Statement

All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.
AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.

Anti-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.