Director of Development for Athletics

Gulf Publishing Company, Inc.; Ohio; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of Development for Athletics at a leading university is instrumental in maximizing charitable support through strategic fundraising efforts. This role involves major gifts cultivation, donor engagement, and collaboration with various university officials to ensure successful fundraising initiatives. Ideal candidates will have experience in closing six-figure gifts and a strong passion for enhancing the impact of athletics on students and the community.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in securing major gifts including planned gifts.
• In-depth knowledge of fundraising in higher education.
• Demonstrated success in managing fundraising activities.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for devising and executing comprehensive major gift fundraising plans.
• Directly manage fundraising goals for the University’s athletics initiatives.
• Engage alumni, donors, and volunteers in major gift opportunities.

Skills

Fundraising

Relationship-building

Problem-solving

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Database software programs

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Job description

Director of Development for Athletics

Job Summary
The Director of Development for Athletics is responsible for devising and executing a comprehensive major gift fundraising plan to maximize charitable support for the University and the athletics department to which s/he is assigned through the identification, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift prospects. The Director of Development is responsible for implementing all athletics fundraising activities that have been established as priorities by ONU, including major gifts, special gifts, and annual gifts.

Principle Responsibilities:

• Directly responsible for revenue generation and for fundraising goals of the University’s athletics initiatives.

• Identify, solicit, and close major gifts, both personally and with staff/volunteer/coach/AD participation, in coordination with Advancement and the Athletics Department.

The Director of Development will:

• Be an ambitious and dynamic development professional who is dedicated to building a strong major gift and philanthropic culture throughout his/her designated college;
• Have demonstrated success in closing six-figure gifts; experience with campaign planning and implementation, and a successful history of closing major gifts, and identifying, attracting, and adding new donors;
• Partner with the Executive Director of Development, Assistant Vice President, Vice President, and Athletics Director, including the establishment and implementation of all of the major gifts fundraising strategies, plans, and goals;
• Support, assist, and partner with other development staff and institutional leaders;
• Demonstrate effective strategic skills to connect and engage alumni, faculty, donors, and local and national philanthropists in major gift opportunities;
• Be creative, innovative, and have a strong background in fundraising while working collaboratively; and
• Have a passion for the impact that ONU can have on students, alumni, and the community.

Key Job Functions:

• Maintain an active portfolio of capable prospects who support the designated college’s and the University’s mission
• Meet or exceed specific goals for donor contacts during the year
• Work with the Athletics Director, coaches, senior faculty, and other University officials on appropriate cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship visits
• Develop best practices in athletics that can be shared with colleges and other business units
• Lead special and/or specific projects or major gifts functions, as assigned, and provide support/mentoring as appropriate to newer development officers

Required Skills:
The ideal candidate will possess a strong knowledge of fundraising, particularly advancement in a higher education setting and planned giving vehicles, as well as strong behavioral competencies and attributes described below.

Functional/Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated success in closing six-figure gifts; experience with campaign planning and implementation
• Must possess a broad institutional perspective and have excellent management and planning skills, as well as a proactive style of leadership that encourages teamwork and interaction
• Demonstrated success in developing proposals that combine gifts for the assigned unit(s) and University-wide special projects
• Experience in fundraising and advancement strategies and techniques
• Expertise and demonstrated success in major gift strategies and practices in higher education, including the responsibility to ensure compliance with governmental and University policies and regulations
• Develop and promote donor acquisitions and renewal programs
• Manage data in order to improve renewal and upgrade rates, average gifts, and other measurable results
• Conduct analysis and processing for various appeals
• Identify and cultivate potential Lehr Society donors in conjunction with the Office of University Advancement
• Plan and implement development and alumni engagement strategies that promote a comprehensive understanding of the college’s mission, goals, and priorities
• Work closely with Alumni Relations and volunteer leadership to develop relationships with alumni and donors
• Work with others on fundraising and alumni engagement activities
• Participate in University-wide and college alumni events to further alumni engagement activities
• Technology skills including computer literacy, familiarity with the internet, social media, word processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs

Behavioral Competencies and Attributes

• A high level of energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the mission and goals of the institution
• High-level and effective problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to accomplish tasks in collaboration with and through others in a higher education organization
• Very strong interpersonal skills with the ability to be persuasive with a variety of constituents
• Ability to organize fundraising activities effectively, prioritize prospects, and participate in high-level gift discussions
• Strong leadership and management acumen
• Experience working as part of a team
• Very effective communication skills (including verbal, written, presentation, and listening skills)
• Ability to establish priorities, goals, and timelines and achieve quantifiable outcomes
• Passion for the work; ability to lead with vision
• Orientation toward action and results
• Ethics and integrity in all activities, internal and external to the University

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field
• Three + years of experience in securing major gifts, including planned gifts
• Significant experience (three+ years) in relationship-building functions
• Experience in engaging constituencies and working with volunteers
• Record of developing and implementing effective fund development plans and achieving metric-driven goals
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• A valid driver’s license and safe driving record

To view full description and apply online go to:https://jobs.onu.edu/postings/13405

ONU is an equal employment opportunity employer. Accordingly, no person shall be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, transgender status, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all areas of employment including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, separation and other terms, condition and privileges of employment.