Associate Athletic Director for Development

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title

Associate Athletic Director for Development

Department

Planned Giving & Major Gifts

Job Code

A31307

Job category

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title

Associate Athletic Director for Development

Department

Planned Giving & Major Gifts

Job Code

A31307

Job category

Full Time Staff

Terms and Hours

Full Time Exempt

Salary Range

Starting at $85,000; commensurate with experience

Job Summary

The Associate Athletic Director for Development is a senior advancement leader who will drive major, principal, and transformational philanthropic support for the University of Portland Athletics Program. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Advancement and working in close partnership with the Vice President for Athletics, Athletics Leadership team, and head coaches, this highly motivated individual will play a pivotal role in the success of the University’s comprehensive campaign and the future of Pilot Athletics.

With 16 varsity programs and more than 300 student-athletes, UP Athletics has a proud tradition of excellence, including national championships in soccer and decades of competitive success. The Associate Athletic Director will lead strategic fundraising initiatives for high-impact priorities, including athletic facilities, scholarships, endowments, and program enhancements. This position requires a proven professional with demonstrated success in major gift fundraising, exceptional relationship-building skills, and the ability to engage donors and senior leadership at the highest level.

Core Duties

• Provide strategic leadership to develop and execute a comprehensive major gift strategy for University Athletics aligned with University Relations campaign priorities and long term initiatives.
• Build and manage a robust portfolio and major gift prospects, with a focus on securing commitments of $50,000 and greater.
• Identify, qualify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors and prospects, ensuring personalized and meaningful engagement.
• Partner and collaborate with Athletics Team Coaches, Athletics Leadership Staff, and University Relations colleagues to create compelling philanthropic opportunities tied to team needs and strategic priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison for Athletics for the University Relations comprehensive campaign to ensure alignment and visibility of athletic priorities with campaign integration.
• Develop and execute persuasive proposals and presentations for facilities, scholarships, and program support that inspire donor investment.
• Leverage Athletic events, tournaments, and recognition programs to deepen donor relationships and showcase donation impact.
• Conduct ongoing effective donor visits locally and nationwide.
• Represent University Athletics at home and away games, tournaments, and special events which may including extensive evenings and weekends.
• Utilize and track donor/prospect information within the current data management system, ensuring accuracy and adherence to NCAA and institutional policies.
• Regularly evaluate and assess progress toward goals, and report on results.
• Participate in scheduled check-ins and regular strategy meetings.

Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or designee.

Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s purview and responsibility.

Education & Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 5 years of direct management experience in fundraising or marketing sales inclusive of relationship building and securing major gifts.
• Preferred: Experience with constituent relations software (e.g. Raiser’s Edge) or similar CRM.
• Preferred: Experience representing Division I Athletics within a higher education setting.
• Preferred: Direct fundraising experience with high levels of philanthropic investments and leadership that maintained ambitious fundraising goals.
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.

Certifications & Licenses

• Preferred: Active Driver’s License

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders, high-net-worth donors, and volunteer leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage up, across and down in high performing, highly motivated team settings.
• Ability to think strategically with results-driven professionalism.
• Ability to build authentic relationships and inspiring philanthropic investment.
• Ability to motivate volunteers and donors, self-motivated, and able to embrace the concept and attitude of teamwork in a complex organization.
• Comfortable operating at the highest levels of donor engagement and institutional leadership.
• Passionate about the transformative power of athletics and deeply committed to advancing the Holy Cross mission of the University of Portland, which calls us to educate the whole person, mind, heart, and spirit, and to form people prepared to lead and serve in a global community.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to execute multiple and varied programs and events in service to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of audiences through means including but not limited to, interpersonal settings, large groups, written and through social media.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to give presentations.
• Strong strategic planning skills with an understanding of tactical implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and to set priorities.
• Strong organization and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Effective ability to synthesize information and key initiatives to share with various audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a diverse working and learning environment.
• Competence with and commitment to inclusive excellence; ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Professional demeanor and ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a University setting that includes a wide array of individuals, groups, policies, and processes. Ability to work effectively with various constituencies including the general public, faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, and other members of the University community.
• Effective ability to use and learn computers, technology, software, and applications at level of sophistication required for the duties of the position, including, without limitation, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), the internet, and constituent relations software (e.g. Raiser’s Edge).

Physical Requirements

• Frequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.
• Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Frequently: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus.
• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and other audiences.
• Frequently: travel locally and domestically by car and air.

Working Conditions

• Hours of employment: Will require working flexible and/or longer hours, including evenings, nights, and weekends, when necessitated by projects and travel.
• Stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

Work Standards

• Respect for the University’s mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University’s mission statement states in relevant part: “we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world.” The University’s Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: “Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity.”

  • The full Mission Statement is at: www.up.edu/about/mission.
  • The full Statement of Inclusion is at: www.up.edu/disclosures/inclus....

• Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.

• Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.

• Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting university business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.

• Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.

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