Director of Athletics and Recreation Development

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Benton (ME); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc. seeks an inspirational Director of Athletics and Recreation Development to elevate fundraising at Colby College. This role involves overseeing major gift strategies, cultivating relationships with alumni and donors, and managing a fundraising team.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership capabilities, a deep appreciation for collegiate athletics, and at least 7 years of relevant experience. Success in establishing key partnerships and networks is essential.

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience in advancement or a closely related field.
• Experience managing a portfolio and closing major gifts.
• Proven experience soliciting athletics prospects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of fundraising for athletics and recreation.
• Establish revenue projections and execute fundraising strategies.
• Manage and network at athletics-oriented events.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Strong communication skills

Fundraising experience

Leadership skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Fundraising software

Job description

Job Description

Department: Major and Planned Giving

Pay Rate Type: Salary

Job Summary

Colby College (Waterville, Maine), one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges, seeks an inspirational and highly motivated Director of Athletics and Recreation Development to bring the athletics and recreation fundraising program to the next level of excellence, building on a strong foundation of annual, endowment, and capital gift performance to become a top 10 program in the Division III Learfield Director’s Cup Standings. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Major and Planned Giving and working in close collaboration with the Harold Alfond Director of Athletics, the Director of Athletics and Recreation Development will drive fundraising strategy for the program and build alumni, parent, and volunteer enthusiasm for an athletics program that has climbed from 133rd in 2019 to most recently 33rd in the Learfield Cup rankings. As a highly visible and engaging representative of the College, the Director of Athletics and Recreation Development creates and cultivates external relationships with alumni, families, donors, and prospects in support of Colby Athletics. Working closely with philanthropic leaders, the individual in this role focuses on the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major and principal gift prospects, implementing a strategic and effective plan to build excitement and enthusiasm, grow participation, and increase support from prospects at all levels in support of athletics. The successful candidate will have a proven record of accomplishment in building collaborative relationships across organizations and deep connections with key constituencies (coaches, families, alumni, and advancement colleagues). The Director must have a deep appreciation for and understanding of collegiate athletics, the liberal arts college experience, and a strong personal commitment to Colby’s core values. The Director role manages two staff members: a leadership annual gift officer and an assistant director of athletics fundraising.

The Director will thrive in Colby’s special culture: collegial, collaborative, student‑centric, achievement‑driven, and typified by alumni loyalty. A leader who is collaborative, collegial, transparent, and oriented toward teamwork will have the greatest opportunity for success in this culture. The Director will understand the characteristics of a successful leader: integrity, judgment, creativity, positivity, and humor.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of growing principal, major, leadership, and annual gift fundraising for athletics and recreation, including identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of prospects and donors for the program.
• Establish revenue projections for each team and execute the fundraising strategy to achieve set goals by working in close collaboration with the Harold Alfond Director of Athletics and head coaches.
• Lead prospect managers in solicitations and other guidance for athletics prospects, partnering on establishing solicitation targets and strategies, and driving the total pipeline for Athletics fundraising. Support coaches in solicitations, fundraising strategy, and engagement of alumni and families who support their teams.
• Manage, attend, and network at several athletics‑oriented and team‑based events throughout the year, including, but not limited to, home games, select away games, alumni days, engagement events, and other key events. In partnership with athletics, identify opportunities for key celebratory events that will unlock philanthropic support.
• Lead and elevate the management, stewardship, and solicitation activity of 20+ philanthropic varsity boards, activating their full potential to grow peer‑to‑peer fundraising and enhance athletics, and maintaining a pipeline of potential board members with philanthropic capacity and inclination.
• Oversee marketing and communication strategies to continuously promote opportunities for communicating the priorities of Colby Athletics and Recreation to a broad audience of prospects and donors.
• Proactively manage a portfolio of high‑level prospects and donors.
• Oversee and maintain a robust stewardship program to appropriately recognize and thank all donors.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and long‑term while successfully attending to more immediate goals and tasks; strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to motivate and inspire donors, volunteers, coaches, and colleagues.
• Possesses a “can‑do” demeanor that conveys confidence and enthusiasm.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including superb relationship skills and ability to network with people across a wide range of levels of power and influence. The successful candidate will be comfortable meeting and engaging with parents and alumni to develop rapport in informal settings.
• Exceptional organizational skills, ability to consistently meet simultaneous deadlines and follow through on assignments promptly, and attention to detail.
• Able to handle confidential information tactfully and exercise discretion.
• Strong, self‑motivated work ethic; flexibility; and proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively and constructively as a member of a diverse community.
• Highly developed computer skills including experience using Microsoft Office Suite; Google Suite; email, web, and database applications, as well as an interest in and ability to learn new computer programs with ease and in a self‑guided manner; experience with fundraising software.
• A focus on teamwork, collaborative leadership, strategic thinking, workflow, and the ability to effectively manage time and multiple tasks are essential.
• Willingness to travel and to work hours outside the normal working day to be present and network at games and events (i.e., nights and weekends).
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements.
• An entrepreneurial spirit and a positive attitude.

Required Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience in advancement (or a closely related field) is required, with proven experience managing a portfolio, closing major and leadership gifts, and managing staff; experience in soliciting athletics prospects or otherwise managing an athletics fundraising program is preferred.
• Flexibility to travel and work evenings or weekends.
• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• Valid driver’s license required and must meet the College’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements.