Senior Director of Development, Athletics

Paycom - ATS; Storrs (CT); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Medical, dental & vision plans

13 paid holidays

5 weeks paid time off

Job summary

The UConn Foundation is seeking a Senior Director of Development for Athletics to lead major gifts initiatives in support of UConn Athletics. This front-line fundraiser secures philanthropic support aligned with the University’s strategic plan and collaborates with Athletics Development, University colleagues, and donors to advance priorities.

The role manages a high-capacity portfolio, engages coaches, and helps plan strategies to meet annual fundraising goals, including gifts of $100k+ and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years as a major gifts fundraiser, preferably in Athletics.
• Prior management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors with the capacity to give $500k+.
• Secure $4M+ annually in philanthropic support for UConn Athletics.
• Meet performance metrics related to qualification, visits, solicitations, proposals, and dollars raised.
• Collaborate with coaches to plan fundraising strategies for assigned sports, especially women’s programs.
• Document activity and input engagement plans in the CRM and adhere to Foundation policies.
• Travel as required and engage donors and volunteers with university leadership.

Skills

Prospect management

Donor cultivation

Major gifts

CRM (Blackbaud)

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Blackbaud CRM

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Storrs, CT 06269-3053, Position Type: Full Time,

The UConn Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that supports the University of Connecticut by connecting alumni, donors, and friends with philanthropic opportunities to advance UConn’s educational, research, and service missions. Our work strengthens the University’s momentum as a top public research institution and supports students, faculty, patients, alumni, and communities across UConn and UConn Health.

Through Because of UConn: The Campaign for UConn Nation, the Foundation is helping drive UConn’s most ambitious comprehensive campaign, a $1.5 billion effort spanning all schools, colleges, campuses, and UConn Health.

The campaign focuses on four pillars that make education more affordable, expand discovery and innovation, improve health and wellness, and strengthen Husky Pride.

Students First: expanding financial aid, student health, career readiness, and life skills.

Academic & Innovation Excellence: investing in faculty, graduate fellows, research, and innovation.

Health & Wellness of People & Planet: advancing patient care, medical research, and life-changing technologies.

Husky Pride: supporting athletic excellence and an engaged UConn Nation of more than 290,000 alumni worldwide.

We seek talented professionals to join The UConn Foundation and help grow philanthropy, engage alumni and donors, and build a strong endowment that strategically advances UConn and UConn Health.

We are committed to a caring, supportive environment through commitment to our Core Values of Purpose, Excellence, Culture, Communication, and Integrity.

The UConn Foundation is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We value different perspectives and are committed to a welcoming environment that respects each person’s experiences and identity.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Development is a front-line fundraiser position responsible for contributing to a comprehensive advancement program for UConn Athletics. They are committed to securing philanthropic support for the Athletic Department that aligns with the University’s ambitious strategic plan. They regularly collaborate with the other members of the Athletics Development team, University and Foundation colleagues, and other advancement professionals to achieve goals and elevate the success of the Athletics Department and Foundation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors with the capacity to give $500k+.
• Secure $4M+ annually in philanthropic support for UConn Athletics.
• Meet or exceed established performance metrics related to prospect qualification, donor visits, solicitations, proposals submitted, and dollars raised.
• Fundraiser performance is measured annually by qualifications, cultivations, solicitations, commitments, and dollars raised. Goals vary based on factors such as experience, unit size, portfolio, and past performance, and are set with the manager for each fiscal year to ensure transparency, consistency, and alignment.
• Responsible for fundraising activities for assigned sports, with a focus on women’s programs. Work with coaches to plan and execute fundraising strategies.
• Participate in strategic planning as it relates to athletic development initiatives. Work with the athletic development leadership team to identify fundraising needs ad help establish goals.
• Collaborate closely with donors, volunteers, and University leaders to identify new prospects.
• Perform administrative duties related to advancement work Including documenting activity, writing proposals, inputting engagement plans in relationship management database, and adhering to Foundation policies.
• Contribute to the overall productivity and efficiency of the Division/Department’s development staff, by meeting or exceeding goals in a metrics-driven environment.
• Develop and support clearly defined and strategic fundraising priorities within the campaign and articulate compelling cases to advance these priorities.
• Model and articulate the Foundation’s organizational core values at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Major, Leadership, and Principal Gift Fundraising

Demonstrate the ability to personally solicit gifts of $100,000 and above, while advancing the number and quality of principal ($5 million and above) gift conversations in partnership with the principal gifts team.

Potential Donor Discovery

Collaborate with the Prospect Management and Research team to increase and grow the major gift pipeline and overall fundraising success of the unit.

Engagement

Collaborate with Advancement Services to steward donors, engage with alumni, and support events specific to your unit.

Leadership

Provide visible leadership across the entire organization by engaging in organization-wide activities such as development management meetings, all-staff meetings, and staff events.

Key Competencies

• Champion for inclusive priorities both internally and externally.
• High level of motivation, as well as an ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, and diplomacy.
• The ability to build productive, beneficial relationships with a broad range of constituencies.
• Knowledge and understanding of prospect management systems and priority point systems as they relate to special events and seating for donors and ticket holders.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills, including ability to effectively communicate University priorities to donors and prospects, and to positively represent the University and Foundation.
• Familiar with the use of computers and information management tools, such as CRMs (Blackbaud).
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, to assess and order priorities, and to track details in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to engender trust and confidence of donors and prospective donors and to maintain confidentiality of donor information; ability to represent the UConn Foundation to prospects, donors, faculty, administrators, and others.
• Ability to work to the demands of the position, which may exceed a 40-hour work week.
• Attention to and concern for others.
• Must be willing to travel regularly. Reliable personal transportation is required for this position.
• Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state in which the employee resides. Employees must maintain, at their expense, at least $300,000 in total automobile and/or umbrella liability coverage of $300,000. Coverage of $500,000 is preferred. Proof of the required coverage must be provided at hire and annually thereafter.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7+ years of experience as a major gift fundraiser and/or relevant transferrable skills, preferably in Athletics.
• Prior management experience preferred.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000. It will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also placing an emphasis on internal equity.

Benefits:

Benefits start from day one. We offer medical, dental, and vision plans and will make an annual contribution to your health savings account if enrolled in one of the high-deductible health plans offered by the Foundation.

In addition, there are a few other perks to being a UConn Foundation employee:

• We offer a generous contribution to your 403(b) retirement plan to help you plan for retirement.
• We place an emphasis on work/life balance. In addition to a hybrid schedule, you will receive thirteen paid holidays, five weeks of paid time off per calendar year, and additional sick time.
• We invest in your professional development. Aside from opportunities to participate in various trainings, committees, and conferences throughout the year, you will also be eligible for tuition reimbursement after one year of employment.

Please contact an Employee Support & Experience team member if you need any assistance completing any forms or participating in any part of the application process due to a disability.