Athletics Development Director - Major Gifts

Lindenwood University; St. Charles (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Comprehensive benefits plan

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Lindenwood University, located in historic St. Charles, Missouri, seeks a Director of Development Athletics to secure private philanthropic support for athletics priorities.

The role focuses on identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors capable of gifts of $25,000 or more, including major gifts of $100,000+. The successful candidate will collaborate with university leadership, work with donor relations, and help grow Lindenwood’s donor pipelines and philanthropic landscape

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience soliciting major donors.
• Experience in higher education fundraising or campaigns recommended.
• Experience with donor communications, proposals, and gift agreements.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of major donor prospects capable of gifts of $25,000+.
• Develop strategies with senior leadership to meet annual and campaign goals.
• Meet with donors 25–50% time via travel, on-campus visits, phone, and video.
• Prepare donor proposals, reports, and donor communications.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with athletics leadership and advancement colleagues.
• Supervise the Assistant Development Officer, Athletics Advancement.

Skills

Major gifts fundraising

Donor prospecting

donor cultivation and solicitation

Relationship building

Proposal writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Raiser’s Edge

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lindenwood University, located in historic St. Charles, Missouri, seeks a Director of Development Athletics to secure private philanthropic support for athletics priorities.

The role focuses on identifying, qualifying, cultivating, and soliciting donors capable of gifts of $25,000 or more, including major gifts of $100,000+. The successful candidate will collaborate with university leadership, work with donor relations, and help grow Lindenwood’s donor pipelines and philanthropic landscape