Major Gifts Professional III (Athletics)

Arizona International; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reduction

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Recreation access

Life insurance

Job summary

University of Arizona Athletics seeks a Major Gifts Professional III to lead donor identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship in a fast-paced fundraising environment. You will manage a 150–200 donor portfolio and work across athletics leadership to advance scholarship, program, and facility priorities.

The role requires flexibility for nights and weekends, substantial travel, and a track record in major gifts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Responsibilities

• Build, establish, retain, and manage a portfolio of 150 - 200 major gift donors and prospective donors in an assigned territory.
• Work with prospects and donors through the entire gift cycle including research, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Travel through the assigned territory at least 20 times a year.
• Secure a minimum of 30 substantive face-to-face visits per month.
• Meet or exceed on an annual basis established fundraising goals, solicitations, and donor contacts.
• Design, deliver, and implement fundraising programming supporting the strategic needs of the department, including major gifts, principal gifts, planned gifts, and corporate philanthropy.
• Collaborate with leadership within department and foundation to cultivate and solicit donors for fundraising priorities.
• Move potential donors toward solicitation and closure of major gifts of $25,000 and higher.
• Maintain stewardship contacts with donors; adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance.
• Attend events and oversee cultivation of current donors and prospective donors; provide information on advancement efforts to leadership.
• Complete in a timely manner all required job reports and donor contact reports; attend weekly and monthly meetings; design and implement wide-ranging fundraising plans.

Skills

Self-motivated

Verbal and written communication

Relationship building

Problem solving

Multitasking

Collaboration

Organizational skills

Ethical standards

Leadership

NCAA/Big 12 knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

5 years experience

Driver's license

Job description

Major Gifts Professional III (Athletics)

Posting Number: req26490

Department: Administration and Athletics

Department Website Link: arizonawildcats.com

Location: Tucson Campus

Address: 1 National Championship Drive, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA

Position Highlights

The Major Gifts Professional III position is responsible for the identification, gift solicitation, and stewardship of major gift donors. As a key member of the Major Gifts team, this individual will represent and promote Arizona Athletics in support of our mission of funding scholarships, programs, and facilities in support of championship athletics.

This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and travel as needed. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Outstanding UA benefits include:

• health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• life insurance and disability programs
• paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members
• retirement plans
• access to UA recreation and cultural activities
• and more!

The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Build, establish, retain, and manage a portfolio of 150 - 200 major gift donors and prospective donors in an assigned territory. Effectively managing relationships with prospects and donors in a collaborative and engaging format, providing support to all donors. Utilizing skills and knowledge, and relationship building skills to identify and cultivate new individual, corporate and institutional prospects.
• Work with prospects and donors through the entire gift cycle including research, identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
• Travel through the assigned territory at least 20 times a year.
• Secure a minimum of 30 substantive face-to-face visits per month.
• Meet or exceed on an annual basis established fundraising goals, solicitations, and donor contacts.
• Design, deliver, and implement fundraising programming supporting the strategic needs of the department, which includes major gifts, principal gifts, planned gifts, and corporate philanthropy.
• Work collaboratively with leadership within department and foundation in support of the Wildcat Club, Arizona Athletic staff, and coaches to cultivate and solicit donors for fundraising priorities.
• Initiate contact with potential major gift donors; monitor and track all prospect contacts to ensure positive and purposeful prospect and donor relations.
• Develop, design, and manage cultivation strategies for prospects, including working with volunteers, staff, coaches to implement major gift fundraising events and solicitation strategies.
• Move potential donors in an appropriate and timely fashion toward solicitation and closure of major gifts of $25,000 and higher.
• Maintain stewardship contacts with donors; adhere to the highest ethical standards; demonstrate empathetic disposition, and perseverance; reflect optimistic and positive attitude, and convey sensitivity to needs of the donors.
• Attend events and oversee cultivation of current donors and prospective donors; providing information on advancement efforts to leadership.
• Complete in a timely manner all required job reports, donor contact reports, and attend weekly and monthly meetings as required. Design and implement wide ranging fundraising plans, providing reports to leadership.
• Budget accountability.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Self-motivated and results-oriented with a professional demeanor.
• Ability to manage value-added projects and strategic initiatives.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to problem solve and make decisions.
• Ability to multitask effectively with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to initiate, lead, and support value-added projects.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Knowledge of NCAA, Big 12, and University of Arizona position-related rules and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, including the ability to plan, establish priorities, and successfully manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive interpersonal relations.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience in a Power 4 Conference.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40 + nights and weekends

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: University Advancement

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: DOE

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade: 10

Compensation Guidance: The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level: PC3

Job Family: Major Gifts

Job Function: University Advancement

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Open Date: 7/13/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Contact Information for Candidates

Michael Smith
Chief Development Officer
[e-mail]
[phone]

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses. Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures. Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].