Major Gift Officer, Athletics Development

VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Tuition assistance

Gym membership

Flexible work options

Job summary

Villanova University is seeking a Major Gift Officer for Athletics Development to lead donor engagement and gifts strategy in support of university priorities. You will identify, cultivate and solicit major gifts, working with alumni, faculty, volunteers and friends to advance Villanova Athletics.

The role requires coordinating with the AVP Athletics Development, traveling to meet prospects, and managing a robust donor portfolio.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two to four years’ fundraising or sales experience.
• Proven successful experience in individual fund raising or related sales/business development experience.
• Experience in dealing with major gift prospects required.
• Commitment to higher education and Villanova University’s mission.
• Understanding of university culture and decision processes.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Team-oriented yet disciplined and results-oriented.

Responsibilities

• Identify and manage a portfolio of at least 125 major gift prospects.
• Establish relationships with significant prospects and major donors; design and implement gift strategies.
• Conduct high volume prospect visits monthly to build a philanthropic pipeline.
• Collaborate with Athletics administration and Head Coaches on priorities.
• Coordinate development activities with the AVP Athletics Development.
• Perform additional duties and assist with events as assigned.

Skills

Fundraising

Major gifts

Donor relations

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Major Gift Officer, Athletics Development

Position Summary: Ignite Your Career at Villanova University! Whether undergraduate or graduate, faculty or staff, each community member brings with them a wealth of experiences that enrich our University and shift our perspectives. As a part of this community, your work will improve lives and ignite change!

Posting Details

Posting Number: 20260452S Position Title: Major Gift Officer, Athletics Development Position Type: Staff Location: Villanova, PA Recruitment Type: Internal/External Applicants Work Schedule: full-time/12-months Avg Hours Week Department: 604 - University Advancement

Why work at Villanova?

Join a mission-driven organization. Since Villanova University’s founding in 1842, we have been inspired by the values of truth, unity, and love, and are a community dedicated to service to others.

• Villanova has been included among the nation’s best colleges and universities. VU’s inclusion again in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings is another indication of the University’s continued prominence and forward momentum.
• Villanova’s most precious asset is our people. As an employee, you will receive a holistic benefits package, generous paid time off, a competitive retirement savings plan, flexible work options, wellness programs including gym membership, professional development, tuition assistance, and more . Villanova University has embarked on a 10-year strategic plan, Rooted. Restless., with the goal of enhancing the Augustinian Catholic living and learning experience for all members of our community. University Advancement is seeking exceptional talent to join our mission-driven team working together toward our shared vision for Villanova, fueled by the generosity of the University’s philanthropic supporters as we “keep moving” in the spirit of St. Augustine in the public phase of Villanova’s comprehensive capital campaign: Espiritus Nova.

The Major Gift Officer for Athletics Development will report directly to the Assistant Vice President, Athletics Development. Under the direction of the AVP , the Major Gift Officer for Athletics Development will identify and qualify potential donors, and design and implement successful multiple gifts strategies in support of the priorities of Villanova Athletics. Primary duties include establishing and managing effective relationships with varied donor prospects and existing major donors. The Major Gift Officer will solicit prospects, and identify and motivate those alumni, faculty, volunteers and friends who can advance the development function of Villanova Athletics, in support of the Villanova University Strategic Plan. The Major Gift Officer is expected to conduct a high volume of prospect visits per month and manage a portfolio of 125 prospects per year. The Major Gift Officer will assume stewardship responsibilities for assigned prospects in conjunction with the Director of Stewardship and implement cultivation opportunities for all Villanova Athletics alumni, parents and friends. The Major Gift Officer will work with individuals with gift capacity of $100,000 or greater.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. The University is an equal opportunity employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify and manage a portfolio of at least 125 major gift prospects which includes primarily individuals and some corporations and foundations with specific affiliation and/or giving interest to Athletics.
• Establish and manage effective relationships with significant prospects and major donors. Will plan and implement major gifts strategies using work plans and stewardship plans; identify and evaluate potential donors; design and implement prospect cultivation and solicitation strategies.
• Conducts a high volume of prospect visits per month with the purpose of developing a philanthropic major gifts pipeline and closing philanthropic revenue to support the priorities of the university and department of athletics.
• Will establish collaborative and productive relationships with Athletics administration and Head Coaches, and become knowledgeable regarding the Department’s priorities, programs, events, etc. in order to advance the priorities of Athletics and more fully engage alumni, parents and friends.
• In conjunction with the AVP Athletics Development, assist in coordinating development activities.
• Perform additional duties and assist with special projects and events as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two to four years’ experience in fundraising or sales/business development.
• Proven successful experience in individual fund raising or related sales/business development experience required.
• Experience in dealing with major gift prospects required.
• Commitment to higher education and a strong desire to associate with Villanova University and champion its mission required.
• Understanding of the University culture and the process for decision making and program development required.
• Ability and willingness to travel required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
• Comfort level working in a team-oriented environment required, but also must be disciplined and result-oriented.
• Knowledge of general office equipment, including use of lap top computers, required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in higher education and/or intercollegiate athletics preferred.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours: Ability to travel and work evenings and weekends required.

Special Message to Applicants: Posting Date: 10/02/2026 Closing Date (11:59pm ET): Salary Posting Information: This position falls within salaried grade 17 and the range is $89,800-98,000. The final salary will be determined with consideration of several factors including the selected candidate’s qualifications, department budget availability, market data, and internal equity. Salary Grade: 17 Job Classification: exempt

References Needed

Minimum Number of References Needed 3 Maximum Number of References Needed 3

Supplemental Questions

• * How did you first hear of this employment opportunity?
  • Indeed.com
  • Higheredjobs.com
  • LinkedIn
  • Glassdoor
  • Chronicle Vitae
  • Academic Keys
  • PA CareerLink/JobGateway
  • Professional Affiliation/Trade Website
  • Diversity Association/Publication Website
  • Advertisement in Academic or Professional Publication
  • Referred by a current employee
  • Referred by a friend, family member, or former employee
  • Heard about it at a conference or career fair
  • Browsing the Villanova website
  • Cabrini University employee
  • Other
• * If your answer to the above question is "Other", please specify the source below. If this question does not apply to you, enter N/A. (Open Ended Question)

Documents needed to complete your application:

Required Documents

• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest
• Resume / Curriculum Vitae