Athletics Development Director: Major Gifts & Strategy

National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Clara University invites a senior development professional to lead engagement and major gift strategies for athletics, targeting gifts from $100,000 to $5,000,000. The role reports to the SAAD and works with Athletics leadership to expand philanthropic support.

Responsibilities include prospect development, donor cultivation, and coordinating with university administrators and volunteers to craft compelling proposals and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Significant fundraising experience in higher education, especially in major gifts and athletics.
• Experience with databases, pipelines and performance tracking for fundraising.
• Ability to cultivate relationships with executives and university leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead major gifts strategies ($100k–$5M) and drive execution.
• Collaborate with Athletics leadership to increase philanthropic support.
• Develop multi-interest proposals and coordinate outreach with stakeholders.
• Create and implement a comprehensive athletics prospecting plan.
• Manage portfolios of prospects and donors, including planned giving as appropriate.

Skills

Strategic fundraising

Stakeholder collaboration

Interpersonal skills

CRM experience

Negotiation

Driver’s license

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Santa Clara University invites a senior development professional to lead engagement and major gift strategies for athletics, targeting gifts from $100,000 to $5,000,000. The role reports to the SAAD and works with Athletics leadership to expand philanthropic support.

Responsibilities include prospect development, donor cultivation, and coordinating with university administrators and volunteers to craft compelling proposals and budgets.